HEALTHY BEHAVIORS
The historic public health work by William Foege and J. Michael McGinnis has demonstrated that at least 50 percent of all illness and premature death is directly connected to lifestyle choices. Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol and substance abuse all contribute to early death and disease.

HEALTHCARE ACCESS
An unacceptable number of community members cannot get the medical and behavioral health services they need. Because of this, some people delay or neglect treatment and their health problems get worse. The Rapides Foundation will continue to work to support eorts that help people get access to the healthcare services they need.

STEM/CTE
The purpose is to engage all nine area school districts more deeply in the type of school improvement work that the Foundation has supported over the years through its K-12 grants.

THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION
This organization provides meaningful opportunities for local engagement, with the goal of providing a permanent home for local efforts supporting higher student achievement

CITIZEN AND NONPROFIT TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Foundation funds these activities under the umbrella of Community Development Works. CDW offers a variety of training programs and resources for both inexperienced and experienced community members and organizations interested in promoting positive community change.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Rapides Foundation works with employers to develop creative solutions to positively impact employees’ wage-earning potential and, concurrently, business productivity. Ultimately, the Foundation’s interest in this area correlates the ability to earn a higher wage with other indicated measures such as home ownership and the ability to purchase health insurance.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The Foundation will award grants to organizations which are tax exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and are not a private foundation as described under Section 509(a). Public agencies that meet additional criteria may also receive grant awards.