Links and Resources

SIM Grantees -- log in to the SIM Grantee Resource Page to access upcoming events, information and resources to implement your SIM project.

 

Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, October 2007 Updated edition of an evidence-based guide to help states plan and establish effective tobacco control programs.

 

CDC Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States:  Implementation and Measurement Guide Twenty-four recommended strategies from the CDC to encourage and support healthy eating and active living, including a way for communities to track progress over time.

Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights (ANR) National lobbying organization that targets the tobacco industry at all levels of government through action-oriented policies and legislation. Emphasis is on secondhand smoke and youth tobacco addiction.

Trailnet Healthy, Active & Vibrant Community Toolkit:  2009 Toolkit Innovative ideas, policy suggestions and resources for community decision makers seeking to lead long-term changes to improve the health of communities.

Strategic Alliance ENACT Local Policy Database Catalogs promising nutrition and activity policies in seven environments (after-school, childcare, community, government, healthcare, school and workplace). 

Office of the Surgeon General  Comprehensive look at the health effects of secondhand smoke and what communities and states can do to prevent exposure. 

Save Money, Save Lives: Make Your Business Smoke-Free Brochure communicates about exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace and benefits to employers for implementing smoke-free worksites.

Promising  Strategies for Creating Healthy Eating and Active Living Environments  Comprehensive review of policy, strategy and program recommendations to support healthy people in healthy places; outlines promising strategies for creating and supporting healthy eating and active living communities and environments.

For More Information

For more information on the Social Innovation for Missouri funding program, contact:

Amy Stringer Hessel
Program Officer
314.345.5540
astringerhessel@mffh.org

Matt Kuhlenbeck
Program Director - Community Health & Prevention
314.345.5541
mkuhlenbeck@mffh.org

Michael Renner
Program Officer
314.345.5533
mrenner@mffh.org






Social Innovation for Missouri (SIM)

SIM Social Innovation for Missouri (SIM) is a funding program established in July 2010 following approval of funding from the federal government’s Social Innovation Fund (SIF).  Funds can be distributed across Missouri, and not just in the MFH service region.



MFH Awards $1.3 Million to Help Nonprofits Curb Tobacco Use and Fight Obesity in Missouri

Seven nonprofits across Missouri are the first recipients of a Social Innovation for Missouri (SIM) grant. The seven grants, which total $1.3 million, are a blend of MFH dollars and federal funding aimed at addressing health issues in underserved communities. Each nonprofit also is raising an equal amount of private funding to double the impact of the SIM grant in their respective communities. The newly funded programs will focus on reducing tobacco use and fighting obesity in Missouri by using best practices developed from two other successful MFH funding programs – Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Initiative and Healthy & Active Communities. Read the press release

SIM Overview and Goals

SIM funding supports communities’ efforts to expand physical activity options, encourage healthier food choices, and reduce overall tobacco use.  Special emphasis is on helping low-income communities and underserved residents.

Because tobacco use and obesity are the most common preventable causes of death in Missouri, SIM’s goal is to reduce their effects in the state and improve the health of Missourians by encouraging community-wide change through organizations, nonprofits and local governments. 

SIM is building on successes already evident through other MFH funding efforts – Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Initiative (TPCI) and Healthy & Active Communities (H&AC).  SIM grantees will integrate two successful strategies – “Healthy, Active and Vibrant Communities,” developed by Trailnet, a nonprofit that promotes healthy lifestyles, and “Support for Local Tobacco Policy Change,” developed by Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, a nonprofit that focuses on reducing the use of tobacco products.  With this integrated approach, communities will maximize limited financial and human resources to address these critical health needs in Missouri.

 Measurable outcomes of SIM include:
  • Increased healthy policy changes in targeted communities. 
  • Increased access to services for community residents. 
  • Decreased smoking rates and exposure to indoor tobacco smoke. 
  • Increased physical activity. 
  • Increased rates for consumption of five fruits and vegetables per day.

MATCHING FUNDS AND TIMELINE

SIM is a federal matching fund program. 

  • MFH has received $2 million in federal funds.  MFH is providing a $2 million match with its own funds. 
  • From that $4 million total pool, MFH is providing two-year grants to 10-16 organizations across Missouri.  
  • Each grant recipient must then provide a 1:1 match of all funds requested from MFH.
  • MFH is also developing a list of potential local funders that may provide some match funds.

Read more about the SIM selection process
FEDERAL PROGRAM
The SIM funding represents the first-ever federal distribution through the newly created SIF, a program of theCorporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that leads President Obama’s United We Serveinitiative through Senior CorpsAmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs.  SIF funding is a public-private investment program established by the 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.  

MFH was one of 11 grantees nationally funded for a total of $49 million.  The other 10 grantees are: Jobs for the Future, Inc., and New Profit, Inc. (both based in Boston); Local Initiatives Support CorporationThe Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City (all based in New York City); National AIDS Fund and Venture Philanthropy Partners (both based in Washington, DC); Robert Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) (based in San Francisco); Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (based in Louisville); and United Way of Greater Cincinnati.