March 2025 - Issue #23

The Health Foundation is pleased to announce that it has recently elected three new Directors, as reported by MassNonprofit News and other regional news outlets.

Elected to serve three-year terms on the Board of Directors are Leah M. Bradley, LCSW, CEO of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance; Arthur O. DuBois, LICSW, MSW, a licensed clinical social worker; and Morgan A. Russell, Esq., an attorney specializing in child welfare litigation and real estate transactions.

Leah M. Bradley, LCSW

Arthur O. DuBois, LICSW, MSW

Morgan A. Russell, Esq.

“We are thrilled to have both new and returning leaders from across the region helping to guide The Health Foundation’s initiatives. The knowledge and dedication of each Director allows us to be strategic in responding to the health needs of Central Massachusetts communities and ensures that we are optimizing our investments to improve health, address upstream social drivers of health and advance health equity.” - Dr. Amie Shei, President and CEO, The Health Foundation

Regional Environmental Council Warehouse Improvements

Incorporated in 1972, the Regional Environmental Council’s (REC) mission is to bring people together to create a just food system and to build healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities in Worcester, Webster and Southbridge. Its core programs focus on investing in youth development, education, and employment, supporting urban agriculture and community gardening, and connecting residents from food insecure neighborhoods with affordable, healthy, locally grown food through community and mobile farmers markets.

In 2023, REC received an Activation Fund grant in the amount of $95,000 for renovations and equipment to improve the safety and efficiency of its warehouse, which provides cold and dry storage, sorting, and loading dock space for its Mobile Farmers Market program. The facility is located at 47 Oread Street in the heart of Worcester’s Main South neighborhood. Improvements were completed in 2024, which included installation of electric heating and cooling units and an electric door for enhanced climate control in the warehouse, and new loading dock components, including a dock lift, door, and an outdoor canopy, to streamline the loading and unloading process.  

Renovated loading dock in use. (photo credit: REC)

REC reports that these infrastructure improvements to the warehouse and dock have already increased its capacity to distribute produce by 20% in FY25 and will enable the organization to double the amount of food sold and distributed to food insecure community members over the next five years. 

"Thanks to The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, these critical upgrades have strengthened our ability to distribute fresh, healthy food to the community. The improved warehouse and dock are already making a difference, increasing efficiency and expanding our reach to food-insecure families. This investment will have a lasting impact as we collaborate with community partners across the region to improve food access and security." - Steve Fischer, Executive Director, REC

To access the winter schedule for REC’s Mobile Farmers Market program, click here.  



This month, we are pleased to highlight exciting news from the Central Massachusetts community of Southbridge.

The Eye of the Commonwealth

Formerly known as the "Eye of the Commonwealth" due to its rich history of manufacturing optical products and serving as the former home of the American Optical Company, Southbridge's impact on the global optical industry is highlighted in this recent Worcester Telegram & Gazette article.

The Optical Heritage Museum in Southbrige. (photo: Worcester Telegram & Gazette)

Despite this history, access to vision services is a challenge for many Southbridge residents today, and it hinders students' ability to learn. In 2024, The Health Foundation provided a $55,000 grant to help launch the Vision for Southbridge program which provided comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses to students at no cost. As a result, 115 students received comprehensive eye exams and over 180 pairs of eyeglasses were distributed.

Southbridge Teacher Recognized with National Award

Southbridge Middle School science teacher Jillian Lombardi recently received the Milken Educator Award, an award often hailed as the "Oscar of teaching" which recognizes outstanding K-12 educators from around the country for their energy and commitment to improving their school and the educational outcomes of their students. Each year, approximately 40 teachers from around the country are recognized, and Ms. Lombardi is the only recipient in Massachusetts. Congratulations!

Investing in Southbridge

Earlier this month, Dr. Shei wrote a guest column in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette about how stable leadership in the community has enabled philanthropic investments including the Round 6 Synergy Initiative Southbridge CARES project.



Below are resources and information that may be of interest to our nonprofit partners and community members. 

Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) Funding Opportunity

• Congressman James P. McGovern’s office is accepting Community Project Funding requests for FY 2026 by March 7, 2025. In recent years, the House Appropriations Committee has allowed Members of Congress to submit Community Project Funding requests (formerly known as “earmarks”) to designate funding for local projects in their districts. While guidance has not yet been released for the FY 2026 appropriations process, Congressman McGovern’s office is sharing this draft guidance. To view examples, a list of the Community Project Funding requests made for FY 2025 can be found here. 

Citizens Bank Grant Opportunity

• Citizens and NECN are now accepting applications for Citizens’ 2025 Champions in Action Grant Program focused on building employment pathways for diverse abilities. Nonprofits who create inclusive, supportive pathways to employment that leverage the strengths of individuals with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to receive $50,000 in unrestricted funding from Citizens, media coverage from NECN, and volunteer support from Citizens colleagues. Applications can be completed online and must be submitted by March 10, 2025.  

MA Nonprofit Federal Impacts Survey

• TSNE, in partnership with the Mass Nonprofit Network (MNN), is encouraging nonprofits to complete the MA Nonprofit Federal Impacts Survey, which aims to understand how federal policy shifts may be impacting them and their constituents. Responses are anonymous, and results will help inform MNN and other sector allies on the resources, information and support needed to ensure nonprofits can continue to respond to community needs. The survey, linked here, will remain open through March 17, 2025. 

Greater Worcester Community Foundation

• The Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program, which aims to support projects in the areas of navigating change, leadership development, and growing internal structures with grants up to $10,000, is accepting applications until March 21, 2025. For more details, please review the grant guidelines. 
• The Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger aims to provide grants up to $3,000 for work in the following areas: increasing access to healthy foods, building capacity for food serving organizations, and advocacy and policy change. The grant cycle opened March 3, 2025. For more details, please review the grant guidelines.  

MetroWest Health Foundation

• The Spring 2025 Grant Cycle is now open, and proposals will be considered in the Foundation’s priority areas of Health Equity, Health & Housing Stability, and Innovative Action to Address Community Health Priorities. Concept papers are due before March 14, 2025 and proposals are due March 28, 2025 by 4:00 pm. For more details, please review the grant guidelines.

Health Equity Partnership of North Central Mass

• A Social Services Networking Fair for providers across North Central MA will be held on April 11, 2025 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg. Organizations will have the opportunity to share information about their programs, meet with other service providers, and build a "warm referral" network. The cost is $20 if registered by the March 11th Early Bird Deadline and proceeds benefit the Health Equity Partnership’s Youth Advisory Council. To register, contact chelsey@chna9.org.  

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.

© 2025 The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts