In honor of Dr. Mark A. Keroack’s tenure leading Baystate Health and his commitment to health equity, and our community, Health New England is proud to announce The Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity Grant. The Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity Grant program aims at advancing health equity to improve health or health care related needs in the Pioneer Valley (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 Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity Grant Guidelines

The Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity 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:
  • Access to health care
  • Access to behavioral health services
  • Managing chronic conditions
• 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 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 Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity 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.

Step 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, August 28, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

• Budget worksheet and narrative
• Work/Evaluation Plan Template

Step 2: Health New England is offering virtual office hours for questions regarding The Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity Grant program. Please contact: Katie Bruno, MPH, Public Health and Wellness Program Manager 

Step 4: Submit your RFP Grant Application using our online Jotform by August 28, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and be sure to upload all completed supporting documents as part of your application. 

Step 5: 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.

Step 6: Notifications of awards will take place in mid-October. Awarded organizations must begin program planning in November 2024, immediately following grant award.

Step 7: Funds will be distributed to grantees in November 2024.