The Health Foundation does not identify specific health issues as funding priorities; instead, our grantmaking programs are designed to be responsive to the changing health needs of the region as identified by local communities.
The Health Foundation makes grants through two primary funding avenues: the Synergy Initiative and the Activation Fund. In special circumstances, other types of grants may be made at the Board’s discretion, but unsolicited requests are not accepted.
The Synergy Initiative provides funding for collaborative projects that target complex health issues in Central Massachusetts with integrated, comprehensive strategies with an end goal of systems or policy change.
In addition to the Synergy Initiative, The Health Foundation’s other primary grantmaking avenue is the Activation Fund, which provides support for discrete, one-year projects designed to help organizations move to the next level of capacity and effectiveness.
About Our Grant Programs
| Grant Program | ACTIVATION FUND | SYNERGY INITIATIVE |
| Overall Goal | To support discrete projects aimed to help organizations move to the next level of capacity and effectiveness | To support collaborative projects targeting community-identified health issues with integrated strategies with an end goal of systems or policy change |
| Grant Cycle Frequency | Calls for proposals are typically issued annually | Calls for proposals typically are issued every 4-5 years |
| Duration of Funding | 12 months | 4-5 years with requests for continuation considered annually |
| Range of Awards | $50,000 to $125,000 | ~$2 million over multiple years |
“Through a willingness to not only listen to the challenges raised by the community, but to also be led by the community in identifying the solutions, the Foundation has been a model in grantmaking.”
State Senator Robyn K. Kennedy, First Worcester