The American Heart Association is offering local not-for-profits the opportunity to apply for Community Action Grants of up to $5,000.

The purpose of the initiative is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.

Projects should address one or more of these areas and may target the public or health professionals:

The AH's focus on the seven key factors to good heart health; advocacy; CPR and first aid; quality and systems improvement; and health equity.

The grants are intended for a program or project that will broadly serve the community.

Applications are available at www.heart.org/communityactiongrant.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 14, 2013.