OVERVIEW: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is a health legacy funder that supports a wide range of health issues in the cities and towns of Central Massachusetts.
FUNDING AREAS: Health, access to care, public health, integrated healthcare delivery
IP TAKE: This health funder considers many charitable needs related to health.
PROFILE: Established in 1999, the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts (HFCM) is a health legacy foundation based in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was formed after the sale of Central Massachusetts Health Care, Inc., which was a not-for-profit health maintenance organization. The foundation aims to “improve the health of those who live or work in the Central Massachusetts region, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs.” The foundation’s grantmaking funds health in its broadest sense, including access to care, public health, and integrated healthcare delivery.
The foundation does not identify specific health issues that it funds, but rather relies upon community leadership to identify the most pressing health issues at the time and demonstrate partnerships that can address them. In the past, these issues have included oral health, mental health, prisoner reentry, healthy eating, homelessness, economic self-sufficiency, and youth development. There are two major avenues for funding at HFCM. The Health Care and Health Promotion Synergy Initiative sends approximately 75 percent of grant dollars toward a small number of three-to-five-year projects. Meanwhile, about 15 percent of annual grantmaking backs the Activation Fund, which is for discrete one-year projects that boost a nonprofit’s capacity. Finally, board-designated funds make up about 10 percent of annual grantmaking for projects outside of the foundation’s normal areas of giving.
Grants typically range from $10,000 to $100,000. HFCM often makes more than $1 million in total grants in its grant cycles and exceeds $2 million in total grants per year. View grants made by year on the funder’s website. The foundation only makes grants in Central Massachusetts, which encompasses 60 cities and towns comprising Worcester County and the contiguous communities of Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bellingham, Boxborough, Brimfield, Holland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Littleton, Marlborough, Medway, New Salem, Orange, Palmer, Shirley, Stow, Townsend, Ware and Warwick.
HFCM indicates on its website whether it is currently open to new applicants or not. Letters of intent are typically due in April and grant awards made in September. Direct general questions to the foundation staff at 508-438-0009 or info@hfcm.org.
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