Where Health Matters Grant Program

The Where Health Matters Grant (WHMG) Program is part of Health New England’s overall Community Benefits Giving program that looks to advance the health and well-being of people living in the communities we serve (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester Counties). The WHMG program focuses on addressing health equity, social and economic factors that contribute to health (Social Determinants of Health), and improving health outcomes.

Health New England will award three grants to nonprofit community organizations; one organization will be awarded per focus area. Applicants have the option in applying for a 12-month grant, 2-year grant, or 3-year grant. We fund evidence-based community programs that address one or more of the areas of our funding priorities, health equity, and at least one identified social determinants of health as defined by the Attorney General Community Benefits Nonprofit HMO Guidelines. The expectation is that in addition to improving conditions around the Health New England focus area, the proposed program will improve health outcomes.

We are interested in nonprofit 501(c)(3) 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. Our focus areas for funding include:

  • Built environment (food insecurity, housing needs, safe places to play, transportation)
  • Maternal & Infant Health
  • Mental Health & Substance Use
For additional insights into our priority funding areas, please refer to the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment for Health New England. Additional detailed information on Social Determinants of Health, which have been adopted by the Attorney General Community Benefits Guidelines, can be found in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Determination of Need Health Priorities Guidelines.

Where Health Matters Grant Program Application Process

All applicants are required to complete the Request for Proposal (RFP) grant application, in addition 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, Evaluation Plan, Logic Model and Work Plan. These documents must be completed and submitted online as part of your Grant Application by May 17, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Step 2)
Please submit your written question(s) about the Grant Application to email CommunityGiving@hne.com. Grant questions are due by March 27, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Step 3) Attend a WHMG Program Question & Answer Session, held on March 29, 2023 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time  via Zoom. Please sign up if you plan to attend.
Step 4)
Submit your RFP Grant Application using our online Jotform by May 17, 2023 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)
All applications will be informed mid-July. Grantees will be required to attend a Grant Program Workshop in August 2023. Official date and time will be confirmed later.

Step 7) Funds will be distributed to grantees in October 2023.
HNE