January 2026 - Issue #32

The Health Foundation announces the opening of the 2026 Activation Fund grant opportunity, which provides capacity-building support for organizations working to address community-identified health needs of Central Massachusetts residents and workers.

The Activation Fund supports discrete, one-year projects in Central Massachusetts (targeting between $50,000 and $125,000) aimed at helping an organization move to its next level of capacity and effectiveness that can be sustained over time. In general, grants support projects that will not require ongoing fundraising beyond the end of the grant period. The Health Foundation does not name specific health issues or priority areas, instead looking to community-based organizations to identify health issues and potential solutions.

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 March 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of two virtual information sessions to learn about the application timeline and process in 2026. Virtual information sessions will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. with time set aside for Q&A during these sessions and afterwards during designated office hours. 

You can sign up for an information session for the date you wish to attend by clicking on the registration links below. A recording will be available upon request. 

Grantee Spotlight

Winchendon Community Action Committee Celebrates Completion of Renovations at The Hub

On November 1, 2025, the Winchendon Community Action Committee (WCAC) hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations at "The Hub," a community action center operated by WCAC that includes a food pantry, thrift store, emergency services, makerspace commercial kitchen, community event spaces, youth café and bowling lanes. As noted in the Winchendon Courier, the space was packed, as town officials, state legislators, committee and board members, volunteers, clients, staff, and citizens gathered to see the improvements and share in the celebration.

State Representative Jon Zlotnik attended the event and presented WCAC Executive Director Miranda Jennings with a citation.

The WCAC received a 2025 Activation Fund grant of $120,000 from The Health Foundation for capital improvements to create classroom spaces, an ADA-accessible food pantry and service center, and a flexible outdoor training area on the patio. These improvements will allow WCAC to double its service capacity for youth programming and operate the food pantry more efficiently. 

During her remarks, Ms. Jennings recognized all of the donors that contributed to the Hub’s renovations, including The Health Foundation. She said, “The Hub is about community, because when our food pantries run low or when SNAP benefits are cut, it is our community who comes together… and that is what will always save us--each other."

Updated Website Launched

We’re excited to share our newly redesigned website!

The refreshed, modern design features more photos, an intuitive, user-friendly menu, and a fully responsive experience across all devices.



Learn more about the inspiring work of our grantees and access helpful grantee resources. Celebrate our 25th anniversary with our commemorative book, and explore our newly released strategic plan.

Recent News

Former Schools to Become Veterans Housing in Winchendon

This recent story in the Telegram & Gazette highlights the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC) transforming two former schools into 44 low-income, one-bedroom apartments for veterans. In 2023, The Health Foundation awarded an Activation Fund grant of $110,000 for the purchase and installation of an elevator at the new units to ensure ADA accessibility for residents and guests. 

MVOC provides affordable housing, mental health counseling, case management, employment training, and other support programs to military veterans and their families, serving more than 800 clients in 27 cities and towns in North Central Massachusetts. 

In this recent Letter to the Editor in The Boston Globe, The Health Foundation's President and CEO Dr. Amie Shei highlighted a recommendation from the state's primary care task force to double spending on primary care, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes better access and outcomes for all and addresses regional and demographic inequities.

The following resources may be of interest to our nonprofit partners and community members. 

TSNE Shared Services Program 

Recognizing increased needs among nonprofits for administrative and operating support, the Point32Health Foundation has partnered with Third Sector New England (TSNE) to host a webinar highlighting TSNE’s Shared Services Program on January 15, 2026 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm. To register, click here.

Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF) Grant Opportunities

• The Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program is designed to focus on a specific project or piece of work in the areas of navigating change, leadership development, and growing internal structures. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with decisions twice per month, and requests are considered up to $10,000. 

• The Esler Family Foundation Inspiring Generosity Match Fund considers requests from nonprofits based in Worcester County for grants ranging from $10,000 - $25,000 for general operating, program, project, or capital project support, while also providing an incentive to organizations and donors to double their impact with a dollar-for-dollar match. Organizations with annual operating budgets averaging under $5 million (over a three-year period) are eligible to apply and the deadline to apply is January 31, 2026.

© 2026 The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts