The Statewide Health Improvement Partnership of Faribault, Martin and Watonwan Counties (FMW SHIP) creates wellness across our tri-county communities through community-driven, evidence-based, and equity-focused programs that tackle the root causes of chronic disease.

FMW SHIP focuses on supporting community partners to create long-lasting changes that improve overall health and wellbeing. This is achieved by making changes to policies at the organizational or community level such as developing a worksite wellness policy or tobacco free grounds policy; working to support system changes like adopting screening tools for chronic disease, or implementing a referral process as part of a health care visit; or working to change the physical environment to make healthier choices more practical and accessible to all members of a community.

FMW SHIP is funded through the Minnesota Health Care Access Fund, which was established to increase access to health care, contain rapidly accelerating health care costs and improve the quality of health care services for Minnesotans.

The Stronger Together Coalition serves as the Community Leadership Team (CLT) for Faribault and Martin’s portion of FMW SHIP funding. The purpose of a CLT is to provide direction and support for the work of SHIP as well as creating vital connections between SHIP and other work in the community.

SHIP work focuses on increasing access to healthy food (MN EATS), improving access and opportunities for physical activity (MN MOVES), creating commercial tobacco-free communities (MN Breathes), and strengthening well-being of Minnesotans (MN Wellbeing).

The Stronger Together Coalition is awarding partnership grants to support projects and initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of the communities within Faribault & Martin Counties!

Applications for Stronger Together Partnership Grants, funded by the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership of Faribault, Martin & Watonwan Counties (FMW SHIP) will be awarded to create wellness across our communities through community-driven, evidence-based, and people focused initiatives that tackle the root causes of chronic disease.

The grant awards are designed for Faribault and Martin County residents of all ages to have access to:

1. increased opportunities to be physically active at school, work and in the community,
2. increased opportunities to access healthy foods for all people in our community,
3.  increased mental and physical health and wellness for every community member in every setting (school, work, community, health care), (these partner applications are on pause for 2026 grant year)
4. improving access to breastfeeding supports in our community, (these partner applications are on pause for 2026 grant year) and
5. work with our communities and schools to reduce tobacco use. 

Funding amounts for 2026 will vary based on the amount of people the project impacts and need. 

For more information about the Stronger Together Partnership Grants, including application and minimal organizational requirements, please contact Kaley Hernandez via email at kaley.hernandez@fmchs.com or phone at (507) 848-9611 to discuss your partnership project idea. Our staff is available to talk through ideas and develop proposals for consideration.

If your organization is interested in partnering to implement a project that aligns with these priorities AND would like support filling out the application or talking through an idea, please complete this form.