February 2025 - Issue #22 | |
Register for Final Activation Fund Information Session
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The second and final information session on the 2025 Activation Fund grant opportunity will be held virtually on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The Activation Fund provides capacity-building support in the range of $60,000 to $125,000 for organizations working to address community-identified health needs of Central Massachusetts residents and workers. Time will be set aside for Q&A with attendees, and meetings may be arranged afterwards during designated office hours to discuss questions specific to an organization or project. You can sign up by clicking on the registration link below. | |
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Please contact The Health Foundation staff in advance if language assistance or other accessibility accommodations are needed. A recording is also available upon request.
Funding guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions may be found on the Foundation’s website. The deadline for submission of a brief concept paper is February 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
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Important Legislative Updates | |
Bill Filed to Protect Drinking Water | |
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Recently filed legislation would enable Massachusetts to develop minimum statewide water quality standards for private wells and expand a financial assistance program to remediate wells affected by PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and other harmful contaminants in drinking water supplies.
"An Act Protecting Drinking Water Quality in Private Wells" (SD847/HD3597) by Senator Jamie Eldridge, Representative Natalie Blais, and Representative Meghan Kilcoyne would support equitable access to clean and safe drinking water.
The newly filed legislation would grant the MassDEP authority to establish standards and define testing requirements for new and existing private wells. Upon the sale of a home, testing of a private well used for drinking water would be required (similar to the state’s Title 5 septic system regulations). The state would make resources available to assist eligible homeowners with the cost of well water upgrades.
The Health Foundation has supported the Private Well Program to Protect Public Health, a Round 5 Synergy Initiative project led by RCAP Solutions, since 2020, providing over $1.9 million in funding to date.
This news was covered extensively by numerous outlets including the Greenfield Recorder, Franklin Observer, and WWLP- 22 News.
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Legislation Filed to Study Micro-Transit | |
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Adding to growing momentum behind micro-transit as an important model of transportation for certain regions of the state, a new bill was recently filed that would establish a special commission on micro-transit.
"An Act Establishing a Special Commission on Micro-Transit" (SD558/HD1177), sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr, Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and Representative Todd Smola, follows significant progress made by the Quaboag Connector, The Health Foundation, Massachusetts Public Health Alliance, Transportation for Massachusetts, and other supporters to raise awareness of the critical role micro-transit can play in regions of the state underserved by traditional transportation services.
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Specifically, the proposed commission would study existing and emerging micro-transit services across the state and funding to benchmark different models, assess funding sources, define micro-transit services, estimate annual state funding needed to support micro-transit services across the state, and explore micro-transit as a way to close mobility gaps and address inequities in transportation access for certain geographies and populations.
This legislation follows a historic $8 billion transportation investment recently proposed by Governor Maura Healey, which includes $10 million dedicated specifically to micro-transit. This dedicated micro-transit funding would be transformative for micro-transit providers like the Quaboag Connector, which is seen as a lifeline in the rural Quaboag Hills region where access to health care, jobs, groceries, and community programs is challenging for many.
The Health Foundation supported the Quaboag Connector as a Round 5 Synergy Initiative project from 2020-2024, investing a total of $1.9 million in this collaborative project led by the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation in partnership with the Town of Ware.
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Story Collection - Importance of Coverage & Care | |
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In this time of significant change in the federal policy landscape and uncertainty about how health care coverage and access may be impacted in this state, the Massachusetts Coalition for Coverage and Care has come together with a shared interest in preserving access to affordable coverage and care in Massachusetts, a state in which 97% of the population has health insurance, the highest rate in the country.
The coalition is led by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation and Health Care For All. The Health Foundation is a member, along with dozens of organizations and individuals representing consumers, businesses, insurers, labor, providers, religious organizations, and more across the state. Anyone interested in learning more about the Coalition, including Coalition goals and how to join, can reach out to Jessie Gottsegen (Jessica.gottsegen@bcbsma.com).
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Recognizing the importance of demonstrating the importance of ensuring coverage and care, the Coalition is kicking off story collection in the fight against federal cuts to health care. Stories related to health care coverage and access to care will be added to a story bank that can be shared with our congressional delegation and others as needed. Stories could come from residents enrolled in MassHealth and ConnectorCare, including specific populations like seniors, children, and people with disabilities; workers serving MassHealth members in different settings, including nursing homes; and small businesses that could be impacted by closures or service reductions at hospitals and health centers.
Details about the story collection process including privacy protections are forthcoming in the next few weeks. For now, please indicate your commitment to collecting stories demonstrating the importance of coverage and care for the story bank by completing this survey or contacting Amie Shei (ashei@thfcm.org).
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Francis "Frank” M. Saba
1949-2025
Mr. Francis "Frank" M. Saba, a dedicated member of The Health Foundation's Board of Directors from 2014-2022 and Chair from 2018-2020, recently passed away at the age of 75.
Mr. Saba was deeply committed to the Foundation's mission of improving the health of those living or working in Central Massachusetts. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering support will be greatly missed.
The Health Foundation extends its heartfelt condolences to Mr. Saba's family. You can read more about his remarkable life in his obituary.
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Nonprofit and Community Resources | |
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Below are resources and information that may be of interest to our nonprofit partners and community members.
Executive Orders Affecting Nonprofits
The National Council of Nonprofits is providing live updates on the recent Executive Orders Affecting Nonprofits. This document will be updated frequently. You can find the most up-to-date version here.
Point32Health Foundation Information Session on 2025 Grantmaking
The Point32Health Foundation is hosting an information session on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. on its Equity in Aging grantmaking focus for 2025. Register here for this virtual session to learn about funding cycles and hear from currently funded organizations about their work.
New Commonwealth Fund
The New Commonwealth Fund prioritizes historically underfunded organizations in Massachusetts whose leaders are building shared narratives, empowering their communities, and amplifying transparency and accountability. It is currently accepting applications for immediate-need investments, which are smaller-scale grants up to $2,500. Applications are reviewed quarterly on a rolling basis.
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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 $59 million to more than 230 unique organizations over its history. For more information, visit www.thfcm.org. |
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© 2025 The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts | | | | |
