Grant Initiatives

In keeping with the recommendations of its 2022 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), CHNA 6 is pleased to solicit proposals from eligible nonprofit and government organizations for the following three Priority Areas:

Purpose

CHNA 6 will accept proposals from eligible nonprofit and government organizations to address new and/or urgent health needs and in keeping with the goals within the CHIP’s four priority areas:    

1. Mental Health and Substance Use

Goal: All community members have equitable, inclusive access to community-based and person-centered mental health and substance use services that build and sustain resiliency and overall well-being.

• 1.1: Expand and enhance the mental health and substance use workforce who are providing culturally informed and responsive services by 2025.
• 1.2: Increase the number of places all community members can access culturally informed and responsive mental health and substance use resources by 2025.
• 1.3: Increase awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use as health needs to reduce stigma in accessing services by 2025.

2. Food Insecurity 

Goal: All community members have equitable access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food resources in a way that promotes individual dignity.

• 2.1:  Increase the number of residents who access available resources by 20% by 2025.
• 2.2:  Increase the number of delivery options by five by 2025.
• 2.3:  Assess the food security barriers of the three most underserved cultures/populations represented in our communities by 2025.
• 2.4:  Establish three new food resource partnerships by 2025.
• 2.5:  Promote sustainability of healthy food practices by increasing participation in food preparation and nutrition programs by 20% by 2025.

3. Homelessness

Goal: All community members can easily access or maintain safe, culturally competent and inclusive shelter/housing in a timely manner, and in a way that maintains and promotes their dignity and that is respectful of their various life experiences.

• 3.1:  Establish a centralized online site where existing resources to address shelter and housing insecurity are easily accessible by 2025.
• 3.2:  Increase the awareness of skills programs that address the needs identified by individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness by 2025.
• 3.3:  Identify and support legislation that spans the social determinants of health in regard to housing (e.g., livable wage, safe and healthy housing, shelters, and affordable housing) by 2025.
• 3.4: Increase the number of longer-term shelter placement options, including transitional housing, to enable people to secure safe and stable housing by 2025.

Application Information

The maximum grant amount is $10,000. Funding cannot be used to retroactively cover expenses already incurred. Projects must be in line with one or more objectives included in the CHIP. Fall Community Grants are designed to support smaller community-based and/or grassroots organizations. 

CHNA 6 requires Letter(s) of Collaboration whenever the grantee’s proposal is dependent upon or requires the cooperation of another organization for the success or execution of the program.  Letters should state explicitly how the organization plans to collaborate with the grantee on the requested project.  Letters are required from School Superintendents for projects that involve school districts.

All grant applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Form of Intent
2. Narrative (including cover sheet)
3. Project budget and budget narrative
4. Most recent audited financials or copy of Form 990 (not required for municipalities)
5. IRS 501(c)3 determination letter (not required for municipalities)
6. Letter(s) of collaboration (if applicable) 

Forms of intent and full proposals must be submitted via the new online application portal by 4:00 p.m. on the respective due dates. Incomplete or late proposals will not be considered for review.

Important Dates 

• September 6, 2024 Bidders Conference 
• September 13, 2024 Required Form of Intent due
• October 11, 2024 Grant proposals due
• November 15, 2024 Grants announced

Communities Served by CHNA 6

Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge.