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Establishing a Corporate Health Promotion Program need not be expensive, but will require the commitment of some financial resources. If possible, include the Corporate Health Promotion Program in your company’s annual business plan and budget as you do for other efforts important to your company’s success.

How much to budget for the Corporate Health Promotion Program?

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for beginning a Corporate Health Promotion Program that results in improved employee health. Organizations differ in how much money they need and how much they can make available for the Corporate Health Promotion Program. Consider the following common expenses in developing an adequate Corporate Health Promotion Program budget:

• Corporate Health Promotion Program staffing costs (either internal salaries or consultant fees)

• Corporate Health Promotion Program data collection costs (including health risk assessment costs, if relevant)

• Corporate Health Promotion Program rewards for healthy behaviors (such as discounts on premiums for non-smokers)

• Costs of Corporate Health Promotion Program Strategies to be started (such as costs of covering tobacco quit medications or costs of subsidizing healthy foods in the cafeteria or vending machines)

• Corporate Health Promotion Program administrative and communications expenses

In times of tight finances, be prepared to justify your requested Corporate Health Promotion Program budget. Arm yourself with data on potential short- and long-term outcomes of the proposed Corporate Health Promotion Program Strategies. Itemize the Corporate Health Promotion Program expenses of past initiatives and share projected expenses for initiatives planned for the upcoming year.

Sustaining Corporate Health Promotion Program Funding

A dedicated Corporate Health Promotion Program line item in your company’s budget makes it more likely to be regarded as a need, rather than as a “nice-to-have” amenity that could be cut when funds run low.

One of the best Strategies for ensuring continued financial support for the Corporate Health Promotion Program is frequent communication to leadership, including:

• How many employees have you reached through the Corporate Health Promotion Program? Has morale increased? Have health risks decreased, e.g., fewer employees smoking, more employees active?

• How well are you managing the Corporate Health Promotion Program resources you’ve been given? Where and how has your budget been spent? Keep track of the staff time required for each initiative and be able to present the numbers at any time.

• Anecdotal Corporate Health Promotion Program success stories from employees. Don’t underestimate the power of a good story to put a human face on your success.

Supplemental sources of Corporate Health Promotion Program Funding

If needed, have the individuals responsible for beginning a Corporate Health Promotion Program look for ways to supplement available internal funds. Are there grants or other financing available that can help support your Corporate Health Promotion Program ? What community Corporate Health Promotion Program resources could you use to meet some of your needs?