The New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) is a public charity based in Barre, Vermont. It supports rural health through regional learning and improvement activities and makes grants to organizations; its 2025 grants primarily supported work described as helping health departments respond to public health and healthcare crises.
Key facts about New England Rural Health Association
In short: New England Rural Health Association gave $1.3M across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $47K), mostly in Massachusetts. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 01-0532229
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,264,366
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- Average grant
- $46,828
- Median grant
- $29,209
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (13 of 26, 2025)
- Total assets
- $596,041
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$596K
-24.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-5.9% YoY
Grant Count
27
+12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
-16.4% YoY
Is New England Rural Health Association open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 26 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $57K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
NERHA’s stated mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of rural communities throughout New England. Its 2024 filing describes programming focused on health equity, creative innovation models, and sharing best practices and quality-improvement opportunities with hospital staff.
The purpose reported for the largest 2025 grants was to support state, tribal, local, and territorial health department responses to public health and healthcare crises. Grantees included colleges, hospitals, planning and regional councils, community organizations, and other entities. For example, Hilltown Community Development describes its mission as addressing economic, housing, educational, social, and community needs while preserving the rural character of its area. Fairview Hospital describes its mission as advancing health and wellness for everyone in its community in a welcoming, inclusive, and personalized environment.
Grantmaking
In 2025, NERHA reported 27 grants totaling $1,264,366. Grants ranged from $5,579 to $159,360, with a median of $29,209. The largest grants included $159,360 to Cape Cod Community College, $134,167 to Berkshire Community College, $96,907 to Fairview Hospital, and $94,121 to Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Each of these grants was reported for activities supporting health department responses to public health and healthcare crises.
NERHA states that it obtained funding applications from organizations, reviewed each application, and selected applicants based on stated funding criteria.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Massachusetts accounted for 84% of grant dollars. Other reported recipient-state shares were Illinois, 6%; Utah, 4%; Maine, 3%; and Washington, 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $735K (2022) to $1.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cape Cod Community College ($159K). Together the top 10 received $928K.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 80 (45%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Cod Community College West Barnstable, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $159,360 |
| Berkshire Community College Pittsfield, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $134,167 |
| Fairview Hospital Great Barrington, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crisesactivities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $96,907 |
| Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Pittsfield, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $94,121 |
| Impact Communications Geneva, IL | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $80,000 |
| Franklin Regional Council of Governments Greenfield, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $75,000 |
| The Health Equity Partnership of North Central Massachusetts Westminster, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $75,000 |
| Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Springfield, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $74,043 |
| Franklin County Land Trust Greenfield, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $70,080 |
| Town of Ware Ware, MA | Activities to support state, tribal, local and territorial (STLT) health department response to public health and healthcare crises | $56,621 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $596,041 | $3,525,691 | $3,250,049 | $1,264,366 | 27 |
| 2024 | $793,198 | $2,398,023 | $2,623,739 | $1,343,716 | 24 |
| 2023 | $732,305 | $2,239,140 | $2,263,256 | $1,349,019 | 18 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $596,041 | $793,198 | $732,305 |
| Revenue | $3,525,691 | $2,398,023 | $2,239,140 |
| Expenses | $3,250,049 | $2,623,739 | $2,263,256 |
| Net Investment Income | $18,857 | $2,725 | $48 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing were Michael Pancook, president; Lora Gerard, past president; Jeffery Waldron, president-elect; Luca Fernandez, secretary; Kirby Lecy, treasurer; and board members Sharon O’Conner, Ann Turner, Lucy Hackney, Kelly Danckert, and Roberta Difloria.
New England Rural Health Association is led by William Andy Lowe, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 2 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William Andy Lowe
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$45K (2023) → $82K (2025)
Michael Pancook
President
Trustee → President Elect, 2023
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann M. Day
Chief Operating Officer
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2022
Executive Director → Chief Operating Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$60K (2021) → $74K (2025)
Ann Turner
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Olson
Board Member
Trustee → Ex-Officio, 2022
Ex-Officio → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kirby Lecy
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lora Gerard
Past President
President El → President, 2022
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lori Fedewa
Board Member
Trustee → Ex-Officio, 2022
Ex-Officio → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Breton
Board Member
Trustee → Ex-Officio, 2022
Ex-Officio → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Luca Fernandez
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alison Warfel
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Hamrick
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Jaszlics Savery
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Micaela Maynard
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon O'Conner
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tj Clarke II
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gail Patry
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Danckert
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucy Hackney
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darlene Laro
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffery Waldron
President-Elect
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Gale
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Josh Martell
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Luellyn Valtin
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Manuel Ortiz
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margie McLaughlin
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roberta Difloria
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Jackson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Elizabeth Winterbauer (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jeffrey Waldron (2020–2024) — President-Elect
- Former: Stephen Martin (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Sue Woods (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jeffrey Dodge (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Roberta Diflorio-Alexander (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Luellyn Valentin (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Gertrude O'Sullivan (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Monica Blanchette (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Read Allen (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Hebert Msw MBA (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Alisa Druzba (2020–2022) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Andy Lowe (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: Margaret Gradie (2020–2022) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Michael Peacock (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Eric Turer (2020–2021) — Past President
- Former: Jeffery Dodge (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Penelope Markle (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Hebert (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Claire Seguin (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Danielle Hersey (2020) — Secretary
- Former: John Goodman (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Laurie Kane-Lewis (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Susan Starkey (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $82K, to William Andy Lowe (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 146 Airport Road, Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (207) 228-5966
Website: https://newenglandruralhealth.org
Frequently asked questions about New England Rural Health Association
How much does New England Rural Health Association give each year?
New England Rural Health Association gave $1.3M across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 24 grants.
What is New England Rural Health Association's typical grant size?
New England Rural Health Association's median grant in 2025 was $29,209, and its average grant was $46,828, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from New England Rural Health Association that year got $35K on average.
Where does New England Rural Health Association give grants?
New England Rural Health Association gives mostly in Massachusetts: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsfield, MA (3 grants), Greenfield, MA (3 grants), West Barnstable, MA (2 grants) and Great Barrington, MA (2 grants).
Does New England Rural Health Association give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on New England Rural Health Association's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are New England Rural Health Association's largest grantees?
New England Rural Health Association's largest 2025 grantees include Cape Cod Community College ($159,360), Berkshire Community College ($134,167) and Fairview Hospital ($109,207 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is New England Rural Health Association?
New England Rural Health Association reported $596K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What does New England Rural Health Association fund?
NERHA’s stated mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of rural communities throughout New England. Its 2024 filing describes programming focused on health equity, creative innovation models, and sharing best practices and quality-improvement opportunities with hospital staff. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from New England Rural Health Association?
New England Rural Health Association has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check newenglandruralhealth.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is New England Rural Health Association's EIN?
New England Rural Health Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0532229. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching New England Rural Health Association by hand.
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