Synergy Initiative
The Synergy Initiative provides funding for collaborative projects that target community identified health issues in Central Massachusetts with integrated, comprehensive strategies and an end goal of systems or policy change. Signature components of the Synergy Initiative model include the integration of professional evaluators who work as collaborative partners throughout the project and close engagement of Foundation staff.
The Health Foundation does not identify specific health issues as funding areas for the Synergy Initiative; rather, it looks to local communities to identify priority health-related needs.
Guidelines & Application Process
The Synergy Initiative typically invites applications every four to five years, and approximately four projects have been selected for funding per round. The latest round of Synergy Initiative projects (Round 6) were selected in 2023, and there are no open grant opportunities at this time. For a list of projects selected for funding in previous rounds, please click here.
Selected projects generally progress from planning to pilot to full implementation over the course of four to five years, and requests for continuation grants are considered on an annual basis. Project budgets vary for each phase, and total grant amounts have averaged approximately $2 million per project over the grant period.
Please download the Synergy Initiative Grantmaking Guidelines and FAQs for information on key factors that influence the Foundation’s decision-making for selection of Synergy Initiative projects.
PARTNERSHIP MODEL
The Foundation’s Synergy Initiative embraces a philosophy of partnership between the applicant/grantee, the evaluator, and the Foundation to maximize a project’s chances of success. This approach is operationalized through a planning and evaluation system called Results-Oriented Grantmaking and Grant-Implementation (ROGG, Copyright © by Dr. Janice B. Yost and Dr. Abraham H. Wandersman) which has evolved over the years.
Questions about the Synergy Initiative?
To contact staff, send an email to:
info@thfcm.org
“I have seen more projects sustained under The Health Foundation than under any other funder. They work toward helping the program out in the field doing advocacy.”
Dr. Mary Brolin, Director, Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Brandeis University (Synergy Initiative Project Evaluator)