September 2025 - Issue #28

Fitchburg Arts Community Opens

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Fitchburg Arts Community. (Foundation photo)

On August 28, state and local officials, as well as community partners, gathered to celebrate the opening of the Fitchburg Arts Community, as reported by numerous outlets including the Sentinel & Enterprise and CommonWealth Beacon. The Fitchburg Arts Community is a new artist-preference affordable and workforce housing community located in three historic buildings in downtown Fitchburg. These revitalized buildings will provide much needed housing in the region.

Newly-renovated artist housing. (Foundation photo)

The $46 million project was supported by federal, state, and local funding, including from The Health Foundation. Beginning in 2015, The Health Foundation supported the ReImagine North of Main Round 4 Synergy Initiative project and invested over $2 million to reimagine the neighborhood as a gateway to arts and culture through community development and economic development.

In 2016, a major fire destroyed the roof of the B.F. Brown School building before its conversion into the Fitchburg Arts Community, potentially ending the project before it even started. The Health Foundation joined with project partners to voice support for the future of the building, which resulted in the City of Fitchburg moving forward with the project instead of tearing the building down. The Health Foundation was able to provide the funding needed to hire an architectural and legal team that developed a plan to save the fire-damaged building.

Forward Movement for Microtransit

The Health Foundation and its partners continue to make progress advancing microtransit in the state. Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA) is hosting a legislative briefing on microtransit on September 10 in Room 428 at the State House.

The briefing will educate elected officials and staff about microtransit services across the state and the benefits and challenges of providing these services. This free event is open to the public and includes a panel discussion featuring perspectives from across the state and presentations.

Representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Todd Smola and Senator Julian Cyr will also speak about their bill, "An Act Establishing A Special Commission on Microtransit" S.2366/H.3658, which would establish a special commission on microtransit to study existing and emerging microtransit services and funding needs.

A public hearing on the bill will be held on September 16 at 1:00 pm, and interested parties can register to submit testimony here. A fact sheet can be found here.

The Health Foundation has long advocated for greater funding for microtransit and is pleased that $10 million has been made available through the surplus supplemental state budget for the new Microtransit and Last Mile Transit Grant Program. This program opened September 6, and applications are due November 7.

Other funding opportunities announced by MassDOT include:

FY26 Community Transit Grant Program (CTGP) Operating and Mobility Management Cycle. The program opened September 5, and applications are due November 7; and

FY26 Community Transit Grant Program (CTGP) Vehicle Cycle. The program opens September 25, and applications are due November 21.

You can register for virtual pre-application trainings in September. Training is mandatory for new applicants and recommended for all.

News and Views

One Year After Nashoba Valley Medical Center Closure

August 31 marked one year since the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center. In a recent GBH story, The Health Foundation's President and CEO Dr. Amie Shei pointed to the Nashoba Valley as a region where stark gaps in health care access remain and emphasized that partnership with the state is needed to bring new health investments to the area. Spectrum News 1 also featured the closure.

Dr. Shei on Federal Health Challenges

CommonWealth Beacon recently featured an op-ed by Dr. Shei on how Massachusetts can respond to new federal challenges following the passage of the “Big Beautiful” bill. She highlights three strategies for the state to lead in this moment: collective action, smart investments, and leveraging technology.

The Modular Revolution

Massachusetts state agencies and local business members are investing in modular housing projects as a possible solution to the state’s housing crisis. Modular housing is seen as an efficient, cost-effective way to produce affordable housing.

This video highlights the potential benefits of modular housing and highlights The Health Foundation grantee South Middlesex Opportunity Council.

Nonprofit and Community Resources

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

Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts

The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts has announced the opening of its 2025 Community Enrichment Grant cycle. This program supports initiatives in local arts, culture, creativity, civic engagement, and community development. Funding levels range from $2,000-$10,000. An informational session will be held on September 9 at 1:00 pm with applications due on September 19 and awards announced on October 24. Apply here.

AGO Webinars: Resources for Addressing a Changing Landscape

The Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division of the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is continuing its webinar series focusing on the changing and challenging landscape currently facing non-profit organizations due to the new federal administration. The sessions include:

Session II: Organizational Restructuring, Strategic Affiliations, or Wind-down on September 25 at 11:00 am. Register here.

Session III: Restricted Funds: Endowments and Fund Modifications on October 21 at 11:00 am. Register here.

Session IV: Advice for Smaller Volunteer Led Organizations on November 18at 11:00 am. Register here.

A new Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division (NPCD) Resource Page includes a video recording of the first session and the AGO NPCD page includes additional resources and contact information.

MetroWest Health Foundation (MWHF)

The MWHF is soliciting grant proposals for the fall focused on three areas: Improving Health Equity, Health and Housing Stability, and Addressing Food Insecurity. Concept papers are due September 26. Visit the website for more information.

The Meeting the Moment grant program is a one-time responsive grant opportunity created to manage the impact of recent policy and funding changes. Organizations must be located in and serve at least one of the 25 towns served by the MWHF. Funding levels range from $10,000-$20,000. Grants will be made on a rolling basis until fully expended.

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 $60 million to more than 240 unique organizations over its history. For more information, visit www.thfcm.org.

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