Michigan Fitness Foundation

As a statewide, backbone organization, mff convenes community partners and leaders to understand the unique challenges individual communities face and collaboratively develops innovative and sustainable approaches that connect resources, remove roadblocks, and build healthier communities. Aligned with this mission, mff administers safe routes to school and the pedestrian education safety grant, partnerships with the Michigan department of transportation. Additionally, inspiring michiganders of all ages and abilities to be physically active and to participate in community-based events is an important part of the mission. Initiatives include the iron belle trail partnership projects, walk/bike to school days; and the mackinac labor day bridge run.

Reaching over 1,000,000 people statewide with an intentional focus on low resource and vulnerable populations, mff works to encourage wellness in the lives of Michigan residents through Physical activity and nutrition collaborators, and, to deliver services and support initiatives that reduce disparities and improve conditions where Michigan's citizens of all ages live, learn, work and play. Mff administers statewide programs, service contracts, and grants including the supplemental nutrition assistance program - education, a partnership with the Michigan department of Health and human services; safe routes to Health, an americorps project with the Michigan civil services commission; the development of a Physical literacy framework and Physical education curriculum as well as a team nutrition project in partnership with the Michigan department of education; and Michigan farm to family, a gus schumacher nutrition incentive program with the united states department of agriculture. Programs include delivery of Physical activity promotion and interventions; nutrition education interventions; and point-of-access programming in places where people live, learn, work, and play. Programs are reinforced through digital media, community events, innovative social marketing, strategic partnerships and advocacy, the long-term goal of which is to reduce disparities and community barriers to safe, active living and access to healthy food. Examples of interventions include the exemplary Physical education curriculum (epec); healthy schools, healthy communities; recconnect; the physically active communities assessment (pac)toolkit; the farmers market nutrition navigator program; fork and the road; Michigan harvest to table; the map to healthy living; healthy choices catch on social marketing campaign; eat well in a snap; champions for change; and more. Mff staff as well as over 100 contractors and grantees conduct this work. By invitation, mff staff sit on committees and boards of several national organizations. Mff's advanced expertise in nutrition, Physical activity, Physical literacy, evaluation, education, training, instructional design, database management, communications, urban planning, social marketing, and grant and finance operations support a best practice approach in the implementation and administration of federal, state, and private contracts, program awards, and contracted services.