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Moving communities, Building Health

Working to elevate the importance of physical activity and its impact on health within our communities.

the HFA Foundation’s Mission

The Health & Fitness Association Foundation (HFA Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a goal to elevate the importance of physical activity and its impact on individual and community health. Founded in 2012 to promote health through exercise, the HFA Foundation has evolved to be a catalyst for change in how the health and fitness industry serves local communities. The HFA Foundation connects member facilities with their local communities, fostering engagement through research, scholarship and philanthropy.

Our Three Strategic Pillars

Research

Conduct research that informs best practices, measures societal impact, and generates industry-specific insights.

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Scholarships and Grants

Catalyze community engagement and innovation through grants and scholarships that help communities thrive.

Application

Philanthropy

Leverage giving to strengthen community outreach and the role of facilities as pillars of public health and well-being.

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HFA Exercise Oncology Grants Awarded

The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and the HFA Foundation, in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, have partnered to award 10 fitness organizations $4,800 grants each (paid in two installments of $2,400) to support their staff in:

obtaining an exercise oncology credential;
participating in a facilitated learning network that will support learning how to develop and implement exercise oncology programs; and
participating in the review of a best practice guide for exercise oncology program development.

Grants support:

certificate/certification costs for selected staff;
staff participation in the facilitated learning network, consisting of three sessions facilitated by a subject matter expert; and
staff participation in review of the best practice guide.

The 2026 grant recipients are: CBRC Health & Fitness in Richland, Washington; The Claremont Club in Claremont, California; Plymouth Fitness in Plymouth, Massachusetts; Healthworks Group in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Columbia Association in Columbia, Maryland; Cedardale Health + Fitness in Haverhill, Massachusetts; acac Fitness & Wellness Centers in Charlottesville, Virginia; The Houstonian Hotel Club and Spa in Houston, Texas; Hawthorn Farms Athletic Club in Hillsboro, Oregon; and Fit Studio: The Minnesota Exercise Oncology Program with AKTIV Against Cancer in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Health & Fitness Association Foundation Community Innovation Grant

Are you driving change in your community through fitness? The Health & Fitness Association Foundation Community Innovation Scholarship and Grant celebrates impactful programs that connect fitness facilities with local initiatives to boost physical activity and improve community health.

Each year, two HFA members are awarded $5,000 scholarships for their new or existing programs in this area based on the following selection criteria: innovation, community impact, collaboration, sustainability, and measurable outcomes.

Applications for the next round of scholarships will open soon!