Braiding and Blending Funding

Braiding and Blending Funding

Published: May 13, 2026
Publisher: Mathematica; California Department of Public Health

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Associated Project

Statewide Coordinating Center for California Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalitions

Time frame: 2025-2026

Prepared for:

California Department of Public Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch

Authors

Dave Yeh

This resource explores the concepts of braiding, which is combining funds while keeping each funding source and its activities separate, and blending, which is combining funds into a single pool. It provides examples for each strategy and describes how healthy eating and active living coalitions can incorporate these methods into their funding strategies. Finally, it discusses practical considerations for braiding and blending funding, including coalition governance, operational complexity, and start-up costs.

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