Made To Move Grant Application FAQ

Degree^® Deodorant and Blue Zones^® are partnering to introduce an innovative, joint grant program to help communities get moving naturally for generations to come. Communities throughout the United States now realize that growing a program in active transportation is an essential way to help all citizens live fuller, healthier, longer lives. The Made To Move grant program from Degree^® Deodorant and Blue Zones, LLC, is a competitive funding opportunity created to assist communities in advancing active transportation through local project development, implementation and supporting policies. With the ultimate goal of promoting more walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly environments for all ages, incomes and abilities, this funding opportunity will be awarded to five mid-sized communities in the United States. Each community will receive $100,000 plus technical assistance from the Blue Zones, LLC, built environment team. Application window closes June 14, 2019.

The original application window was set to close on May 31^st. As of May 29^th, 2019, that window has been extended two full weeks, now set to close at the end of day on Friday, June 14^th, due to high interest. Please continue to reference the FAQs for additional support.

FAQs and answers will be posted every Tuesday while the application is open.

Question: What is an eligible community?

Answer: 

• Either one city or one county, in the 100,000-300,000 population range;
• A community is to be further defined by having policy-making ability, with their own public works staff, planning staff and decision-making body; and
• The community must be located in the United States, not including territories.

Additionally, we would like to note that if a community meets the above parameters, and has a supportive, overarching jurisdiction (such as a county or region of larger population) – that the larger jurisdiction can have representation on the eligible community’s team, as long as they are in addition to the core four team members from the community itself.

*Clarification: After receiving many questions about eligibility, we want to reiterate that the community needs to be a city or a county with the population of 100,00 – 300,000. We understand there are communities with close to those population numbers, yet we need to adhere to these parameters to be consistent and fair in this application process, thank you.

While we appreciate the level of interest in this opportunity, we need to adhere to the population and jurisdiction parameters – we reiterate and clarify the following:

• one community, a city or county, not a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO);
• The team lead and core team members must be based in the community that meets these parameters; and
• Have a population of 100,000 – 300,000, based on the most recent census counts.

Question: Our community is just shy or just over the set population range, does this render the community ineligible?

Answer: The latest counts need to have your community between 100,000 and 300,000.

Question: Is a community district eligible to apply?

Answer: A community needs to be a county or city, with their own public works staff, planning staff and decision-making body.

Question: While our project is within a city that has a population larger than 300,000 the districts/communities that will benefit combine to serve a population of approximately 121,000, which falls between the requirements. Would it still be acceptable for us to apply for this grant?

Answer: The defined community must fit the parameters outlined. If a community is a city or a county, is within the population parameters, and has its own public works staff, planning staff and decision-making body, it qualifies.

Question: What can the funds be used for?

Answer: These funds are specifically meant for planning and implementation efforts connected to active transportation projects. For planning efforts ($10,000) this includes outreach, community meetings, blueprint development, community events, training and travel costs. For implementation ($90,000) this includes direct costs related to project design and build.

*Clarification: After receiving further inquiry about the use of these funds, we want to clarify that the project needs to be designed and constructed during the grant timeframe.

We have received questions about various community endeavors and want to reiterate that this opportunity needs to include an on-the-ground project.

Question: Are sidewalks allowable projects?

Answer: Yes, the project examples highlighted in the guidance are not all-inclusive – sidewalk projects are allowable.

Question: Are street trees eligible for the funding?

Answer: Street trees, as a part of an active transportation project are eligible.

Question: If we have worked with Blue Zones before or are currently a Blue Zones Project community may we apply?

Answer: Yes.

Question: What method should we use to apply?

Answer: We ask that applicants use the online portal to apply – accessed on the application website (or directly here: https://bluezones.smapply.io/). While the guidance documents include the application, in PDF format, it is there to be used as a preview and preparatory guide, not filled out and emailed in.

Question: Is an organization able to apply for a policy effort only, or must they apply for both a project AND a policy effort?

Answer: This funding opportunity needs to include a project.

Question: Is the $10,000 in planning funds meant to include costs for the trip to Minneapolis for the two-day training?

Answer: Yes, the $10,000 for the planning phase includes any allotment towards costs associated with sending at least the team lead and one other team member to Minneapolis in early fall for a two-day training.

Question: If a community is already in, or has completed, the design phase of a project, can they use some or all of the $10,000 planning funds for implementation?

Answer: If a community is already in, or has already completed, the design phase, they must send at least their team lead to Minneapolis for the two-day training and hold at least one community event around the project in the allocated planning phase. If these requirements are met and there are planning funds remaining, they may be used for implementation.

Question: How are the funds administered, in advance or by reimbursement?

Answer: The planning funds are allocated upon notice to proceed, and implementation funds are distributed to a community once a concrete project plan is in place and a community event has occurred.

Question: Are there certain milestones that are tracked?

Answer: As part of this opportunity the community is asked to develop both process and outcome measures. Our team will support with ongoing measurement efforts.

Question: Any issues with leveraging this grant funding with other grants and capital funding sources?

Answer: There are no issues with leveraging these funds, it is encouraged.

Question: Can you connect with us one-on-one via phone or email?

Answer: In order to ensure a fair and transparent process we are not having one-on-one conversations with individuals/communities. We are directing everyone to the FAQs. If you have a specific project idea, and your community fits the parameters outlined in the application guidance and these FAQs, please apply. If you have clarifying questions, please submit them. Thank you.

Question: What is the grant period?

Answer: Awardees will be notified the last week of July 2019, with the grant going through July 2020. The timeline for this grant is outlined in the application guidance and on the grant website.

Question: Are policies required for this grant? What if we already have active transportation policies in place?

Answer: If your community already has critical land use and transportation policies in place, and the proposed project does not need policy supports, then we can/will focus our attention on project-specific design and build needs for your community.

Question: We have received questions from individuals re: whether others from their community are applying.

Answer: We encourage you to connect with those working in this field in your community to collaborate on an application.

Question: Do I need to formally be in my stated professional position at the time of application to be a team lead?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Does the eligible community need to be the lead applicant?

Answer: The team lead and core team members must be based in the community that meets the set parameters.

Question: Are there allowed to be substitutes for a team member should one member find out after submission they have a time conflict with the orientation and on-site visits?

Answer: As a team member you are committing to what is laid out in the letter template. Only two team members, including the team lead, need to be present at the two-day training in Minneapolis. Our team will work with selected communities to schedule site visits.

Question: In the ‘Application Summary’ you ask for a “Short Project Opportunity Description” (100 words of less) – should we pick 1 of the 3 projects we are submitting to describe here? Or do you want a quick description of all 3?

Answer: Please briefly describe all projects introduced in the application.

Question: For the Team requirement that states health, local planning and engineering….what (if any) health official is acceptable aside from public health?

Answer: Any individual who represents a local health agency. This can include, but isn’t limited to, nonprofits, government entities, and healthcare providers.

Question: If a County applies, do all 4 team members need to be employed/elected by the County? Or, could you (for example) have a team made up of a County supervisor, a County health official, but a planning and engineering representative from cities or entities within the County?

Answer: The core team needs to be representative of the community as defined in the application. In this scenario, that would be the county. You may have additional team members representing other jurisdictions – at a regional or city-level.

Question: We were getting our application ready to submit and noticed this morning the deadline has been extended to June 14th on your website. We just wanted to confirm that this was the case and if so, would the additional time lines listed in the application be moving as well?

Answer: The deadline is extended; other dates and windows will remain the same.

Question: Are Blue Zones and Degree willing to modify terms so that any grant program disputes or potential litigation may be resolved under the laws and courts of another state?

Answer: We are willing to discuss.

Question: Our agency serves communities throughout the US that meet the population size of 100,000 to 300,000. Would one of those communities be considered?

Answer: Yes.

Question: What stage of planning do you recommend a project be in when applying for this grant? We have a number of projects that span across planning, design, and right-of-way phases.

Answer: The project can be in any of these phases. With that said, teams must still attend the orientation workshop, ensure the project advances an active community environment, and hold at least one community engagement event around the project during the planning phase.

Question: We are applying, as a county, and planning on partnering with adjacent county departments for this project, to include the Department of Health and the Department of Public Works, in addition to our community partner. Is it alright to use county departments?

Answer: Yes, the representatives from the core fields can be from within the larger county organization.

Question: Is it possible for my city to use the Phase I $10,000 to contract an outside public relations/planning firm to handle the charrette or public outreach?

Answer: Yes, as long as project team members are involved in the planning and engagement processes as well.

Question: We are interested in submitting a proposal focused on bike and walk safety education and outreach. I was wondering if non-structure education programs are eligible for this grant.

Answer: While we wholeheartedly support aligned educational programs, this opportunity requires an infrastructure project.

Question: Is the Blue Zones Made to Move grant offered annually or is this a one-time opportunity? If annual, is there a typical schedule when the grant becomes available?

Answer: At this time, this is not a recurring grant. We will be sure to broadly announce any future opportunities.

Question: Our Mayor is the only one from our city that can enter into contracts, but she won’t be able to serve as the actual working member of the team. Can we have one of her appointees designated as the “elected official” as the team lead and then she will sign any agreement if we are awarded the grant?

Answer: Yes, this is acceptable.

Question: Is there a draft copy of the Grant and Master Service Agreement available for review?     

Answer: Winning communities will be required to enter into a Grant and Master Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with Blue Zones and Unilever.  The Services Agreement will include customary provisions that detail the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to the Made To Move Grant Program.  Material provisions will cover the following topics:

• Amount and Allowed Uses of Grant Funds
• Services to be Provided by Blue Zones and Related Statement of Work (see below)
• Designation of Team Leads
• Ownership and Use of Intellectual Property
• Confidentiality Obligations
• Term and Termination of Services Agreement
• Warranties, Indemnification and Limitation of Liability
• Standard Contract Provisions (e.g., Amendment, Choice of Law, Notices, Etc.)
• Detailed Statement of Work that Covers the Following:

Scope of Services

Blue Zones Obligations

Community Obligations

Leadership Commitment

Project Lead and Local Staffing

Identify Community Participants

Access to Information and Personnel

Participation in Press Events

Measure and Evaluate Program

Recognition of Program Partners in the Community

Compliance with Brand Guidelines

Adherence to the Services Agreement

Return to the Made To Move Grant Application