NEW: Health Foundation of Central MA Offers Grants for Innovative Health Solutions

Monday, January 14, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Health Team

With the new year comes the opportunity for new ideas to address the region's community health concerns, and the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts wants to help make them a reality.

The Health Foundation announced the opening of its 2013 Activation Fund grants to aid local organizations in their efforts to improve health and well-being across Central Mass.

“The Activation Fund supports discrete, one-year projects that demonstrate creative and innovative approaches to deal with community health concerns; move an organization to its next level of capacity and effectiveness which can be sustained beyond the term of the grant; or exploration in emerging health challenges and opportunities,” said Dr. Janice B. Yost, President and CEO of The Health Foundation.

For 2013, the Health Foundaiton has designated roughly $350,000 for one round of Activation Fund projects. Previous awards have ranged from $10,000 to a little more than $100,000, with the average grant totaling $50,000. In 2012, Activation Fund grants supported projects that ranged from promoting green and healthy homes to addressing the skills gap in the workforce to reducing depression among elders in the Latino community.

“The Foundation’s Activation Fund grants are designed to support the work of organizations throughout the region, with the goal of significant long-term impacts for those they serve,” said Dr. John Gusha, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “In 2013, the Foundation anticipates making new Activation Fund grants that will build on some of the previous grants we have made that have had lasting effects on improving the health of vulnerable populations in Central Massachusetts.

The Health Foundation has awarded roughly $25 million in grants since its inception in 1999.

Letters of intent for the 2013 Activation Fund grants are due by April 12. Interested parties are encouraged to meet with Elaine Cinelli, Vice President for Programs at the Health Foundaiton, to assess the fit of a proposed project with the Activation Fund guidelines. To learn more about the guidelines or the application process, visit the Health Foundation’s website or call 508-438-0009.