HCN News & Notes

Health New England Announces Fourth Year of Where Health Matters Grant Opportunities

SPRINGFIELD — Health New England announced the return of its popular Where Health Matters grant program for the fourth year in a row. The grant program will award three grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that work to improve the health and well-being of at-risk community members in Western and Central Mass. The application process is currently open through Monday, May 10.

As part of Health New England’s Community Benefits program, the Where Health Matters grant program focuses on three areas of health and social factors that influence health: chronic conditions (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and alcoholism); basic needs (food insecurity, housing needs, and transportation); and social environment (institutional racism, justice-involved children and youth, social isolation, and violence and trauma).

“Health New England has always been more than just a health plan. We are mission-based, and being a good neighbor is at the core of who we are,” said Richard Swift, president and CEO. “Our work to improve the health and lives of the people living in our communities is more important now than ever before. That is why we are pleased to announce the 2021 Where Health Matters grant program to support the health needs of our most vulnerable community members. We are excited to select and partner with three local nonprofit organizations to make a significant, positive impact during these unprecedented times.”

The Where Health Matters grant program will award both one-year and multi-year grants, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, to eligible nonprofit organizations with current IRS-designated 501(c)(3) status that manage innovative community-based programs benefiting underserved residents of Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Worcester county. Preference will be given to programs that focus on mental health, substance use, chronic health conditions, and the need for increased physical activity and healthy diet.

Organizations meeting the request-for-proposal (RFP) criteria are encouraged to submit a letter of intent online by midnight on Thursday, March 25. Complete RFP grant applications are due by midnight on Monday, May 10. Only complete submissions made online will be considered. Nonprofit organizations will be eligible for funding only once from Health New England in a calendar year.

For additional information and application criteria, visit healthnewengland.org/community/grantprogram.