Grant Money Available for Brownsville Health Projects

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — Brownsville residents with a passion for public health have a new summer project to take on.

IOBY, a non-profit that helps people crowdfund local projects in their neighborhoods, has selected Brownsville to participate in its Healthy Neighborhoods Challenge.

Between now and August 1, anyone can submit a neighborhood project to the group.

The organization says any idea will be considered, but suggests projects dedicated to goals like greening the neighborhood, increasing access to healthy food, and promoting outdoor activity and exercise.

IOBY will select one or more winning neighborhood projects that it will then help with fundraising and logistics.

In addition, the New York State Health Foundation, a private group that funds public health initiatives, has offered up to $5,000 in matching funds to each Challenge winner.

In other words, if a winning Brownsville project raises $5,000 with IOBY's help, the Fund will add an additional $5,000 to the pot.

You can learn about the Healthy Neighborhoods Challenge, and submit a project proposal, on IOBY's website.

One additional note concerning the location of eligible projects. The New York State Health Foundation has defined Brownsville with this map:

However, Katie Lorah, a spokeswoman for IOBY, said that, "it's most important that what is being created is accessible to people in Brownsville, so it's entirely possible that something outside those exact borders would qualify."

Top image courtesy of ioby