Health New England is proud to announce The Where Health Matters Grant Program. The program aims at advancing health equity to improve health or health care related needs in western Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties). Health New England will allocate $250,000 in grant funding, where local nonprofit organizations can receive a one-time grant up to $50,000 to advance health equity.
The Where Health Matters Grant Guidelines
The Where Health Matters Grant program provides local nonprofit organizations with a one-time grant up to $50,000 to advance health equity in healthcare over a one-year period. Only proposals for programs focusing on improving health or health care related needs are eligible for funding. Programs are required to address health equity and include community collaboration. The expectation is that in addition to improving conditions around the HNE focus area, the proposed program will improve health outcomes.
We are interested in community organizations that collaborate with other community partners in the innovative delivery of programs that improve the health of people who live and work in our communities. For programs to be considered for funding, they must focus on:
- Advancing health equity by improving health or health care related needs, such as:
- Managing chronic conditions (diabetes)
- Mental health
- Substance Use Disorder
- Built Environment
- At least one of the social determinants of health, as identified in the Attorney General Community Benefits Nonprofit HMO Guidelines.
- Programs must target communities in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, or Hampshire counties, and must focus on HNE targeted population(s) (see grant program guidelines).
- Must be a nonprofit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
For additional insights into our priority funding areas, please refer to the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment for Health New England.
The Where Health Matters Grant Application Process
All applicants are required to complete the Request for Proposal (RFP) grant application, in additional to all supporting documentation. Only complete submissions made online will be considered. Only one application per nonprofit organization will be accepted in each funding year. Nonprofit organizations will only be eligible for funding once from Health New England in a calendar year.
1. Review Grant Program RFP Guidelines and complete the required supporting documentation, which include the Budget Template, and Work/Evaluation Plan. These documents must be completed and submitted online as part of your Grant Application by Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
2. Health New England is offering virtual office hours for questions regarding The Where Health Matters Grant program. Please click here to sign-up. If you have additional questions, please contact: Katie Bruno, MPH, Manager, Quality Improvement Programs.
3. Submit your RFP Grant Application. Health New England is partnering with Baystate Health to utilize their online grant software management system, Foundant. Full proposals should follow the format outlined in Appendix A of the RFP and be submitted using Baystate Health’s funding request system. All proposals are due by September 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Please allow sufficient time to complete the online form and upload all files. Email notification of receipt will be sent to all applicants submitting proposals.
4. RFP Grant Applications will be reviewed by Health New England Grant Program Review Teams, consisting of Health New England Community Benefits Advisory Committee members, public health experts and community members.
5. Notifications of awards will take place in early November. Awarded organizations must begin program planning in November 2025, immediately following grant award.
6. Funds will be distributed to grantees in November 2025.