February 2024 - Issue #11 | |
Activation Fund Grant Opportunity
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The Health Foundation recently announced the opening of the 2024 Activation Fund grant program, which provides capacity-building support in the range of $60,000 to $125,000 for organizations working to address community-identified health issues. Funding guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions may be found at thfcm.org. The deadline for submission of a concept paper is March 1, 2024. | |
Register Now For Final Information Session | |
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The final information session on the Activation Fund will be held virtually on Thursday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m. Time will be set aside for Q&A with attendees during the session and afterwards during posted office hours.
Please contact The Health Foundation staff in advance if language assistance or other accessibility accommodations are needed. A recording is also available upon request.
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Register above to learn about the modified application timeline and process in 2024. | |
$1 Million in New Synergy Initiative Grants Awarded
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Projects Will Support Transformational Behavioral Health, Child Care, and Food is Medicine Efforts | |
The Health Foundation recently announced a sixth round of Synergy Initiative projects as reported in the Worcester Business Journal. The Synergy Initiative supports projects over multiple years, typically granting approximately $2 million in funding for each project over roughly five years. For this first-year funding, The Health Foundation has awarded planning grants of around $250,000 to each of the following projects: | | |
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Southbridge CARES
Clark University’s Mosakowski Institute and the Southbridge Public Schools will partner to implement Southbridge CARES, a multi-tiered school-based mental health program that leverages tech-enabled products and services to address students’ academic, social-emotional, and college and career needs. This project was recently covered by Spectrum News 1.
North Central MA Coalition for Employer-Supported Childcare
Fiscally sponsored by the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts and receiving administrative support from the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, this project aims to develop and implement a workable funding model that will break through the multiple barriers to affordable, accessible quality child care for low- and moderate-income working families in the North Central region.
Food is Medicine for Central MA
Led by Community Servings, this project aims to strengthen and support Central Massachusetts regional Food is Medicine providers and expand access to the home-delivered medically tailored meal intervention across the region.
Family Childcare Success Project
The Family Childcare Success Project will support the creation of much-needed economic opportunities and increased child care capacity through a novel approach to recruitment, training, education and support for primarily bilingual families to start high-quality, culturally-competent family child care businesses in their communities. The project is led by Family Services of Central Massachusetts, an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation.
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Foundation Hosts Round 6 Project Kick-Off Event | |
Synergy Initiative Round 6 project teams at the kick-off event. | |
On February 1, The Health Foundation hosted a kick-off event for the Synergy Initiative Round 6 projects. The project teams gathered to network, hear experiences from previous Synergy Initiative grantees, and learn from experts on communication strategies and evaluation. The Health Foundation will continue to provide technical assistance and resources to support these projects as they move forward. | |
The Health Foundation President & CEO Dr. Amie Shei provided testimony alongside Community Outreach Committee member Chelsey Patriss and other transportation advocates at the Joint Committee on Transportation hearing on January 24 in support of An act to increase regional transit accessibility in the Commonwealth (H.3272/S.2277), a bill that would increase regional transit accessibility in the Commonwealth and advance regional equity and health equity. | |
Transportation advocates at the hearing. (Photo credit: Massachusetts Public Health Association) | |
Transportation is a critical social determinant of health. The Health Foundation has been supporting the Quaboag Connector (Round 5 Synergy Initiative project) since 2020, providing nearly $2 million in grants to date to develop a robust, sustainable model for rural transportation. In addition, The Health Foundation has supported the ongoing extension of free fares on the WRTA. Communities across The Health Foundation's Central Massachusetts region need sufficient and sustained investments in transportation so that their residents can access jobs, health care, social services, education, grocery stores, and more. | |
Grantee Spotlight - Project Just Because | |
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A volunteer inside the new trailer.
(Photo credit: Project Just Because)
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Project Just Because is a Hopkinton-based nonprofit that helps struggling individuals and families in the Central Massachusetts region and beyond by collecting and distributing basic necessities including food, clothing, and school supplies at no charge. The organization has expanded in recent years to meet growing demand and is now serving approximately 242,932 people a year with 13 programs offered to those in need. The largest program is the statewide food pantry serving an average of 850 families per week. It is organized like a supermarket with grocery carts and shelving labeled for clients to choose their own items with dignity, and gluten-free items are available for individuals with dietary restrictions. | |
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In 2023, Project Just Because received an Activation Fund grant of $120,000 for the purchase a 53-foot freezer trailer, which has significantly increased its capacity to accept, store and distribute bulk donations of protein, dairy products and fresh produce from grocery stores, restaurant suppliers, and nonprofit partners, including Boston Area Gleaners*, Provision Ministry and Lovin’ Spoonfuls*. According to executive staff member Shana Adams, the new freezer trailer has been transformational, significantly extending shelf-life of donated produce and bread and increasing the quantity of vegetables and proteins the organization can distribute to families at each visit.
*Both organizations have been Activation Fund grantees.
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The Health Foundation is celebrating our 25th Anniversary in 2024. If you have any stories or photos to share from The Health Foundation's first quarter century we'd love to hear from you!
Please send them to info@thfcm.org.
Thank you!
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Philanthropy Massachusetts is offering the following virtual workshops for nonprofits, which are available to both members and non-members of its nonprofit program for a modest fee:
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is accepting applications for its Special Initiatives grant program, which provides organizations with a one-time grant of up to $50,000 to pilot or launch a new project over a one-year period. Proposals are due February 26 at 12:00 p.m. Please visit their website for details.
The MetroWest Health Foundation is soliciting grant proposals focused on the following priorities: Girls' Mental Health; Improving Health Equity; Health & Housing Stability; and Innovative Actions to Address Community Health Priorities. Concept Papers are due March 15, and online proposals are due March 29. Click here for more information.
The Massachusetts Community Health and Health Aging Funds 2024 Funding Cycle is offering grants up to $200,000 per year for up to five years to Massachusetts-based non-profit organizations or groups with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, municipalities, and quasi-governmental organizations working to address root causes of health inequities and social determinants of health. Applications are due March 29.
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The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is dedicated to improving the health of those who live or work in Central Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs. Through its unique and impactful approach to grantmaking, The Health Foundation supports community-identified health issues, with health defined broadly to include social determinants of health and with a focus on promoting health equity. As a health conversion foundation launched in 1999 following the sale of the not-for-profit HMO Central Massachusetts Health Care, Inc., The Health Foundation’s grants have totaled over $56 million to more than 230 unique organizations over its history. For more information, visit www.thfcm.org. | |
© 2024 The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts | | | | |
