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58 community organizations across 5 states to receive Foundation grants totaling nearly $6 million
Point32Health Foundation today announced 58 grants to organizations improving access to healthy food, advancing healthy aging, investing in behavioral health, and promoting social and racial justice. The funding supports work to advance policies and practices that address disparities and create more inclusive communities.
Foundation grantmaking supports general operations, giving nonprofit organizations flexibility to allocate resources, and generate ideas that best address specific community needs in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
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Nonprofits invited to apply for Volunteer Week projects
Every year during Volunteer Week, Point32Health colleagues serve community organizations focused on the social determinants of health. This includes nonprofits increasing access to affordable, healthy food; supporting people experiencing homelessness; improving parks and public spaces; reducing social isolation; and addressing other social determinants of health.
Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit applications for Volunteer Week projects by Feb. 9, 2024. Projects can be in community at the organization's preferred location, held at one of Point32Health’s offices, or offered virtually so colleagues can participate from home. Projects should accommodate a minimum of 10 volunteers to be considered. The Foundation will provide a stipend to each nonprofit selected, depending on the size and scope of the activity.
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Mass. Broadband Institute awards $3 million to improve digital equity for older adults
Mass. Governor Maura Healey and Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) announced a $3,026,437 grant to Mass Healthy Aging Collaborative (AgeSpan is the fiscal sponsor).
Funding will support work in 70+ communities, including training for blind and visually impaired people, programs to increase awareness of fraud, and outreach to boost enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program. This work is also supported by the Foundation.
This award is a part of MBI's $20 million commitment to boost digital equity.
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RI Food Policy Council receives federal grant
The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) will receive nearly $738,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute.
The funding is from the Food and Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. It will support RIFPC's Advancing Equity in Capital Access for Beginning Farmers project, which advances farmers' financial literacy and allows more than 100 R.I. farmers access to the capital they need to succeed.
RIFPC is a current Foundation grantee.
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Three years of work pays off in Franklin County
LifePath, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC) have been working together to develop and launch Franklin County's new Age- and Dementia-Friendly Action Plan.
The plan encourages zoning that supports accessory dwelling units, increases knowledge of public and neighbor-to-neighbor transportation options, and creates partnerships between older adults and youth to reduce isolation.
In a recent piece in the Greenfield Recorder, James Fuccione of MHAC said; “There’s just such a collaborative spirit out here, they’re going to do some great things with this plan.”
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Sharing meals can improve health and social outcomes
Food, friends, family. Gathering for meals is “good for our bodies, our brains and our mental health,” says Dr. Anne Fishel of the Family Dinner Project.
In a recent episode of the CONNECT TV series with Sandra Harris, president of AARP Massachusetts, Dr. Fishel discusses how to find recipes, conversation starters and other resources to connect over shared meals.
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Innovations show promise to enhance the lives of people experiencing barriers | |
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Nora Moreno Cargie of Point32Health Foundation served as a judge at Arc Tank 5.0, Northeast Arc's "quest to positively disrupt disability services."
The Shark Tank-style competition was launched at Northeast Arc in 2017. This year, seven finalists from a pool of 148 global applicants made innovative pitches. In the end, three were awarded grants:
- $87,500 to NFlyte – an all-in-one practical life skills app for autistic adults
- $85,000 to Ask Grandma: A culturally responsive early developmental support app for an Indigenous population
- $75,000 to Lynn Disability Network’s “The Lynnebago”
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Point32Health earns top spot on R.I. corporate giving list
Point32Health is #1 in the Providence Business News’ list of top corporate givers for 2022. Last year, the organization was ranked #4. Rankings are based on total contributions to R.I. nonprofits in 2022.
Point32Health and Point32Health Foundation gave more than $15 million to community nonprofit organizations across five states in 2022. Contributions in R.I. topped $1.86 million in 2022.
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#GivingTuesday - $1 million to community in one day
Point32Health's community of care was on full display this #GivingTuesday. Board and colleague donations to nonprofit organizations surpassed $350,000. With the double match from the Foundation, more than $1 million will go to community organizations advancing healthier lives for everyone.
Opportunities for on-site and remote volunteering were made available for colleagues on #GivingTuesday, ensuring everyone could contribute in a way that was meaningful for them. Colleagues decorated 100 onesies and 30 bibs for Maine Needs and Waypoint, created 30 wellness journals for Inquilinos Boricuas En Acciòn (IBA), assembled 8 Happy Hope bags for The Happy Hope Foundation, and wrote 100 well-wish notes for Meals on Wheels Rhode Island. In total, 65 colleagues gave their time on #GivingTuesday.
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Foundation team volunteered for South End neighbors | |
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The Point32Health team got into the holiday spirit by volunteering at Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción on Monday.
Together with IBA staff and other volunteers, they contributed to the packing of 15,000 pounds of food to share with residents of Villa Victoria, a community of 667 affordable apartments in Boston’s South End.
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Wish Drive spreads holiday cheer | |
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Point32Health Foundation in the news
Want to read more about grantee initiatives and Foundation activities?
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Working with communities to support, advocate
and advance healthier lives for everyone.
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1 Wellness Way
Canton, MA 02021
781-612-1000
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