• 2025 Workplace Wellness Community Awards Application

    This is a microgrant that is funded by the Minnesota Department of Health, and in partnership with St Paul Ramsey County Public Health and St Paul Area Chamber. Please read carefully of the following and fill the form with your personal and workplace information. Deadline for submission is Friday, Feb 28, 11:59 p.m.

  • Things to Consider When Applying for 2025 Workplace Wellness Community Awards

    ·       These awards are strategy support. They are seed money to help initiate programs, therefore returning grantees cannot be awarded the same grant project as previous years.

    ·       In 2025, all grantees are required to submit receipts in order to receive reimbursements for their grant awards.

    ·       Survey your workplace to see what projects employees think would most benefit them.

    ·       Tell us what your challenges to healthy living and eating are at work. Your response is carefully considered when reviewed. You may get rewarded for something you did not rank as your first choice.

    ·       Are you and your workplace open minded and receptive to challenges? Workplace wellness addresses cultural changes and behaviors. Are you prepared or willing to accept these hardships?

    ·       Check in with your property manager and executive team before applying. Let them know what changes to the property you are proposing.

    ·       Does your organization building reside within Ramsey County?

    ·       Who will be the main and secondary staff contact for this grant? This will be crucial for communication between SPAC, RCPH, and your staff too.

    ·       Do you have a wellness committee? If no, will you create a wellness committee? You must meet at least 4 times a year.

    ·       The Workplace Wellness Community Award is more than just a grant. The program offers networking, education, resources, and accountability. It will be a year commitment for your workplace. Can your workplace commit to the following tasks if selected as a grantee?

  • Submit your workplace w-9 and MOU

     0.3 - 1.0 hrs

    Meet and plan with your team (time varies for each workplaces and projects)

    		  2.0 - 8.0 hrs

    Schedule and complete a check in call from March to May.

    		  0.5 - 0.75 hrs

    Complete a finanical budget plan of what you plan to buy and have a timeline of their plan of action.

    		  1.0 - 2.0 hrs
    Complete pre and post surveys

    		  0.5 - 1.0 hrs
    Attend 2 in-person Workplace Wellness events:  End of March Lunch & Learn Kick Off, July Virtual & Learn, and Sept End of the Year Celebration.  Up to two staff may attend each event.

    		  6.0 - 8.0 hrs
    Completing your project: researching, submit Budget Guideline Sheet, ordering/shopping, submit receipts, labor time, prepping, and etc. (time varies for each workplace and projects)

    		  6.0 - 12.0 hrs
    Schedule and complete a site visit from May to September

    		  0.5 - 1.0 hrs
    Updating your policy in your Employee Handbook to support your project. This includes waiting for approval from board or upper management.

    		  2.0 - 8.0 hrs
       
    Estimated time commitment range  18.8 - 41.75 hrs

    (These numbers are based from past grantees surveys and varies from grantees having 1 to 3 projects. If a grantee has 1 project, their time will be less.)

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    ·       Workplace wellness community awards does not cover staff time and/or mileage to attend the 3 events.

    ·       Does your workplace have capacity to create or add new policy(s) to your Employee Handbook in support of your selected project? (ex. Lactation Policy or Healthy Eating Support Policy)

    ·       Are you able collect receipts and have the funds to handle a reimbursement microgrant model? If not, please reconsider as this is crucial to be aware of. 

    ·       Can you complete your application by Feb 28?

    ·       Can you complete the project by September 30? Grantees who are unable to complete their project must return award to SPAC.

  • Below are additional questions and considerations to specific projects:

    Healthy Eating - Break Room Change Up For Up to $700

    Ask yourself: “What are the real barriers to eating healthy at your workplace?” Do you have a fridge, microwave, oven toaster, coffee/tea machine, storage space, plates, bowls, cutting board, silverware, knives, etc.?

    ·       The grant does not cover food and beverage supplies (no consumables allowed).

    ·       Past grantees spent over 3 hours on this grant project.

    ·       Past grantees spent from $50 - $500 in addition to the award amount.

    Healthy Eating - Giving Garden Up to $700

    Where will the garden be? Do you have secured premises or security? Do you have permission from the property owner or management company? You will need to fill out the Land Use Verification document to verify permission.

    ·       Plan how and who will be tending the garden. Do you have someone who is reliable and knowledgeable in gardening?

    ·       Do you have a garden shed or designated space to store your tools and equipment?

    ·       Do you have storage for your produce, have a pest management plan, and a plan for your harvested produce?

    ·       Past grantees spent over 50 hours throughout the growing season on this project.

    ·       Past grantees spent from $50 - $200 in addition to the award amount.

    Lactation Support - Support Nursing Mothers Up to $900 OR Wellness Room Up to $400

    ·       Plan a system that ensures nursing mothers have first priorities/reservation.

    ·       Do you have subject expert matters part of the decision making? Example: a staff who is currently (or have previously) breastfed.

    ·       Past grantees spent over 40 hours on this grant project.

    ·       Past grantees spent from $50 - $1000 in addition to the award amount.

    Physical Activity - Commuting Help Up to $1000

    ·       Bike Rack: Where will you be installing your bike rack? Does it require a permit from the city? Do you have permission from the property owner or management company? You will need to fill out the Land Use Verification document to verify permission.

    ·       Bike Rack: If installation requires a city permit you must obtain it within 30 days and notify SPAC once approved. SPAC will send the grant award after approval.

    ·       Past grantees spent from $50 - $5,000 in addition to the award amount.


    Physical Activity - Physical Activity Station Up to $600

    ·       Determine a space to store your equipment and an area for activity.

    ·       Plan a system that ensures easy check out and return.

    ·       Physical activity equipment must be portable for the average person. Please research and check the dimensions before applying.

    ·       Past grantees spent over 3 hours on this grant project.

    ·       Past grantees spent from $50 - $200 in addition to the award amount.

     

    Commercial-Tobacco Free Living - Smoking Cessation Signage Up to $300

     ·     Determine a proper space for employees to express themselves outside

     ·     Past grantees spent over 3 hours on this grant project

     

    Friendly Reminder to Past Grantees:

    If you are a past grantee, you cannot apply for the same project under the same category.

    (Ex: If you were awarded for Breakroom Change Up last year you may not apply for Giving Garden because both are under Healthy Eating category.)

     

    Below are examples of NON-ALLOWABLE expenses:

    ·       Labor (plumbing, yoga instructor, chiropractor, installation, painters, movers, etc.)

    ·       Permits

    ·       Memberships: Gym, chamber, magazine, newspaper,  etc.

    ·       Water filter systems; coffee filters, Keurig

    ·       Food, snack, salt, sugar, seasonings, and medicine.

    ·       Fertilizer and pesticide

    ·       Massage chairs

    ·       High tech gadgets/electronics (TV, Ipad, tablet, computer, phones, fitbit, watches, breast pump)


    Below are examples of ALLOWABLE expenses:

    ·       Healthy eating – Break Room Change Up: microwave, microwave lids, toaster oven, fridge, storage shelf, can opener, utensils, plates, bowls, cups, cutting board, knives, coffee maker, table, stool, picnic blankets, pots and pans, food storage containers, white board/bulletin board, basic clock, and reusable table cloth.


    ·       Healthy eating – Giving garden: seeds, soil, pots, garden shovel, wheelbarrow, garden gloves, storage shelf, organizers, produce bins, box planters, locks, binder (for record keeping).


    ·       Lactation Support – Mother’s or Wellness room: lamp, armchair, ottoman, table, cleaning brush, storage units, organizers, rug, divider, blinds, pillows, mood lamps, mini fridge, sound machine, white board, bulletin board, blanket, and basic clock.


    ·       Physical Activity Station: yoga mats, yoga balls, free weights, storage shelf, signage, jumping ropes, resistant bands, foam roller, and balance board.


    ·       Physical Activity – Commuting Help: bike rack, bike toolbox or fix-a-station.


     

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  • 1. What barriers do you or your colleagues notice at work that prevents from sustaining a wellness healthy living?

    Take a look around your workplace and see what are the barriers are to healthy living. Ask your colleagues for ideas on what would make it easier to make healthy choices. Bring the ideas to your Wellness Committees and discuss challenges. (At least 50 words or more.)

  • 2. Do you have a Wellness Committee (WC)? If not - here's how to start!

    Starting a WC at your workplace may seem intimidating but it doesn't have to be difficult. Depending on your organization your WC can range in size from two to twenty members. Make sure you reach out across departments if your business is larger and get co-workers involved. If there are people you work with that are talking about ways to be healthy at home or at work, contact them to get involved in your group! Whether you have an existing committee or are starting one for the first time, us below about your WC. Make sure to include the number of members. If you're a returning grantee tell us how have things been going? Don't be afraid to be honest about things that might have fallen off the plate, this will help us help you guide your work. Tell us how often your group has been meeting, how many members, and any projects you have been working on since receiving your grant in previous years. (At least 100 words or more.)

  • 3. Talk to the boss!

    Engaging management is key to the success of this program. Talk to your supervisor about the conversations happening in the WC and get them involved! Your committee has a better chance of thriving and sustaining if the boss is on board.

  • 4. What is your organization's Vision & Mission and how can you expand that into your Wellness Committee's Vision & Mission?

    Every organization has a vision and mission, but we can build onto that with wellness! Now that you have created your workplace Wellness Committee and talked to the boss. Discuss as a committee about your Vision & Mission for wellness how to improve with it. This will help guide your group as you tackle projects that promote wellness. Get creative and design a statement that you share within your organization. For returning grantees, did you change anything during or after your project was completed?

  • 5. It's time to formulate a plan!

    Once you have created your statement - write down what you want! Things to remember: Identify what is the problem? What do you need to achieve the solution? Tools? Staff? Think it out loud and write it down! Tell us what you envision for your wellness committee and workplace.

  • 6. Once you use it, don't lose it!

    Your workplace WC should be sustainable for the future. Make sure you create a plan that can be institutionalized at your workplace. You want future employees to be able to continue your great work! You can take simple steps now by printing your Vision & Statement and hand them out, engage with management, and create a plan that can be sustainable for years to come. (At least 50 words or more)

  • 7. Pick your preferred project.

    Please read the projects carefully below. Plan how your workplace will complete the project, what is needed, and what resources. ***Disclaimer: Returning grantees may not pick the same initiative as the previous years. If you are unsure please contact Maichee Xiong at maichee@stpaulchamber.com to confirm.

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    Initiative Project Name What does this achieve? What do I get?
    Healthy Eating Break Room Change-Up! Create a space and provide appliances that enable employees to bring their own food, they will make healthier choices. Up to $700: Make your break room a friendly, healthy lunch room. Do you need a fridge, microwave or prep table?
    Healthy Eating Giving Garden Increase your access to healthy & fresh food! Create a garden for your staff and reap the benefits of home-grown produce! Up to $700: Create a 10x10 garden plot on your property. We will help outfit you supplies and seeds to get you started.
           
    Tobacco-Free No Smoking Signage Your business can prohibit smoking within a certain perimeter and we can help with signage Up to $300: Consultation and resources available for your business and staff.
           
    Lactation Support Lactation Room Does your office lack a space for lactation? According to the state law your business must provide a room (not a restroom) for lactation.  Up to $900: We can provide you with the supplies to make an existing space more comfortable work lactation. A door lock, blinds, lamp, mini-fridge, and other options.
    Lactation Support Wellness Room If you choose the Lactation Room you qualify for additional funds to create wellness space. Up to $400: Must be in conjuction with the Support Nursing Mothers. 
           
    Physical Activity Commuting Help Encouraging employees to ride their bikes to work helps add daily fitness time to their schedules. Up to $1,000: A brand new bike rack or bike fix-it station, depending on your needs. Bike rack must park at least 5.
    Physical Activity Physical Activity Station Add easy access to exercise at work! Employees can check out small equipment during work or breaks! Up to $600: Create a station at your workplace complete with small exercise equipment. Yoga mats, free weights, stretch bands, and other options!
           
           
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