MGH Community Health Impact Funds Background:

In 2022, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) began construction on a state-of-the-art clinical building in Boston—the Phillip and Susan Ragon Building. This capital expenditure triggered the largest ever Determination of Need (DoN) process in Massachusetts history, resulting in a $62M dollar investment in the communities that Mass General Brigham serves. Learn more about the Community Health Impact Funds.

The MGH Community Advisory Board (CAB), guided by the community driven 2022-23 Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Implementation Plan, has determined four funding priorities along with the strategies to tackle them—housing, economic/financial stability and mobility, mental/behavioral health, and food/nutrition security. Each priority will have its own Allocation Committee. Requests for proposals for funding dedicated to housing were released on November 1, 2023, and final proposals are now under review.  

We are now excited to announce a $3M dollar funding opportunity, for organizations working on economic mobility and financial stability.

There is a two-way relationship between the social conditions in a person’s life and their mental and behavioral health. Various social circumstances may impact someone’s mental health, and, at the same time, a person’s mental and behavioral status can impact their ability to navigate social factors such as employment, education, and housing conditions. Currently, and exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, there is an unprecedented demand for mental and behavioral health services, particularly in under resourced communities. The need is urgent for creative, integrated, accessible, and community-informed services.

Mental and Behavioral Health Strategies approved for funding include:

1. Expanding Behavioral Health Services: Increase community-based behavioral health centers and other similar initiatives (e.g., restorative justice and community-led behavioral health initiatives, group work) for substance use disorder (SUD) and trauma-informed care for Black, Hispanic, and non-English speaking individuals.
2. Innovative Youth Well-Being Interventions: Engage schools in health and wellness programs, exercise education, SUD and mental health prevention and interventions.  

Funding Description

Proposed projects may address only one of the strategies listed. This funding is intended to be flexible covering for operational costs, salaries, youth stipends, supplies, and travel. No in-kind is required. The funding is for “upstream” projects, meaning that projects should focus on initiatives that address the root causes of why people and youth have trouble getting mental health or wellness help and/or initiatives that help prevent the need for these services. Partnerships between organizations that team-up to fill in service gaps will be prioritized. For example, a mental health service provider that will also provide housing or food support. Funding priority will also be given to applicants and ideas that show how mental health and things like housing, jobs, and education are connected and address how those connections can work better. These projects may aim to make changes within an organization or at the neighborhood, town, city, or state level, making it easier for people to get the help they need.

Strategy A:      

• $2 million dollars available for an estimate of 8-10 awards. 
• Max amount awarded, up to $300,000.00 to be used over 3 years.
• Indirect costs at 20%.

Strategy B:      

• $1 million dollars available for an estimate of at least 13 awards. 
• Max amount awarded $75,000.00 to be used over 1-2 years.
• Indirect costs at 20%.

Organizations are asked to please request only what is needed for the proposed project.

Eligibility

Massachusetts-based academic centers as well as other non-profits such as community-based organizations and municipalities serving Suffolk County are eligible. We are looking for a wide range of applicants doing innovative work on mental and behavioral health in the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop.

Application Process

Applicants must complete and submit this Letter of Intent (LOI) form through the SurveyMonkey Apply portal. The Allocation Committee will review the LOI and, if selected, applicants will receive an invitation to provide a full proposal.

Dates and Deadlines

LOI forms must be submitted through the SurveyMonkey Apply portal no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, May 17^th, 2024.

Questions?

There are several ways to learn more about the LOI process, eligibility, application process, and other questions and concerns. We encourage applicants to:

• Review the FAQs, they are available in both English and Spanish.
• Submit a specific question by emailing srchiang@mgh.harvard.edu. All questions and answers will also be added to the FAQs, so check back to the link frequently.
• Register for the information session here: Information Forum Registration. It will take place through Zoom on Wednesday, May 1 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.