Based in Worcester, Massachusetts, just outside of the city of Boston, the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts (HFCM) is one of the more well-established health legacy foundations in the country. While many hospital conversion foundations have only come into existence within the past decade, HFCM formed in 1999 and has granted over $50 million to local organizations since that time.
Here are a few key points to remember about the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, an accessible New England grantmaker.
There are two primary funding avenues
Local grantseekers can get support from HFCM in two main ways. One opportunity is the Activation Fund, which supports one-year projects that address community health concerns via creative approaches. The Activation Fund helps health organizations boost their capacity, engage in new partnerships and explore emerging issues.
Meanwhile, HFCM’s Synergy Initiative offers multi-year funding for collaborative efforts to improve health. While the Activation Fund typically accepts new applications annually, the Synergy Initiative is only open to new requests about every five years. In addition to these funds, HFCM occasionally offers grants for special opportunities, such as relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
60 cities and towns are in focus
Since its inception, HFCM has been committed to the health of people in the region where Central Massachusetts Health Care, Inc. operated before its sale, which provided the capital to launch this philanthropic foundation. HFCM aims to serve the same region as the original organization, encompassing 60 cities and towns in Worcester County, plus a handful of other contiguous communities.
A broad approach to health funding
Overall, HFCM is committed to pursuing health equity, addressing unmet needs and serving vulnerable populations. Rather than naming specific focus areas and requesting proposals to address those issues, HFCM relies on local communities to identify the health issues that are most important to them within the realms of physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Some of HFCM’s most significant grantmaking over the years has been in the fields of oral health, mental health, food insecurity, early childhood and economic mobility. Other issues of interest include homelessness, criminal justice, community and workforce development, healthcare access and child abuse.
Visit the HFCM website for information about current grant openings and deadlines. Learn more about the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts in IP’s Boston and New England Funding Guide.