Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyles Program

The Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyles program supported innovative, evidence-based projects directly linked to food, health, wellness, and physical activity across Michigan. The initiative focused on addressing childhood obesity, reducing food insecurity, improving access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and supporting multigenerational approaches to healthy living. As of 2026, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund discontinued awards under this dedicated initiative and incorporated food access, food systems, and physical activity priorities into its Healthy Kids and Healthy Aging programs.

Eligible applicants included tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Tribes, local units of government, and the State of Michigan. Applicants were required to have a current independent audit, reviewed financial statements, or IRS Form 990, as well as at least one paid full-time equivalent employee. While applying entities were not required to be based in Michigan, all funded project activities were required to occur in the state.

Eligible projects included community-based food distribution systems, non-motorized trail and recreation developments, food pharmacies, nutrition education, and local food system capacity building. When the grant was open, proposals were submitted online via the Health Fund's grant management portal.