Somerville Health Foundation RFA Grant

The Somerville Health Foundation RFA aims to enhance primary care and preventive health services for Somerville residents, prioritizing equity principles from the CHA 2022 Regional Wellbeing Report. Key focus areas include housing stability, equitable economies, accessibility to healthcare, and climate health. Proposals that address these priorities, especially those emphasizing inclusion and collective care, will be given extra consideration for funding in the 2025-2026 cycle.

Background
The Somerville Health Foundation, Inc. (SHF) was established on June 26, 1996 in the Affiliation Agreement executed by Somerville Hospital and the Cambridge Hospital when those hospitals merged. Under the terms of the Agreement, Somerville Hospital incorporated a new nonprofit corporation known as the Somerville Health Foundation, Inc.
The SHF has two main purposes.
Promote and support the provision of primary care and preventive health services accessible to the residents of the City of Somerville, MassachusettsPromote and support educational, research and outreach programs that will improve the delivery and accessibility of primary care and preventive health services to the residents of the City of Somerville, Massachusetts.
SHF Priority Areas for 2025-2026 Funding
The current priorities for funding support are programs/projects with a prime emphasis on the three equity principles that emerged from the CHA 2022 Regional Wellbeing Report. These principles are language justice, inclusion of underrepresented voices in leadership and decision making, and system improvements that encourage spaces for collective care.
Proposals that also address the following preventative health priorities will receive extra consideration.
Housing
This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing concerns such as housing affordability, stability and anti-displacement, safety, accessibility (e.g. for older adults and persons with disabilities), as well as homelessness and transitions to stable housing.
Equitable economies
This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing concerns related to sustainable food systems, local jobs with living wages and benefits, healthy working conditions, and caregiving systems.
Equity in access to healthcare, services and information
This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing elements such as costs, cultural and linguistic barriers, navigation of systems, referral systems, adequate staffing, transportation, digital access, quality, disability, and other aspects of accessibility of systems. Systems of note include healthcare (including mental healthcare) and other essential services and information, such as education, economic development opportunities, financial support, legal services and advocacy.
Climate health and justice: air, water, preparedness
This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing concerns related to air quality, water quality, and climate change preparedness in recognition that the health impacts of climate change and exposure to environmental hazards are disproportionately shouldered by low-income communities and communities of color

Application Details

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS
DEADLINE:

• Proposals are due no later than 11:59 PM (EST) on August 18, 2025

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THE SOMERVILLE HEALTH FOUNDATION, INC.
The Somerville Health Foundation, Inc. (SHF) was established on June 26, 1996 in the
Affiliation Agreement executed by Somerville Hospital and the Cambridge Hospital when
those hospitals merged. Under the terms of the Agreement, Somerville Hospital
incorporated a new nonprofit corporation known as the Somerville Health Foundation,
Inc.
The SHF has two main purposes. First, it is to promote and support the provision of
primary care and preventive health services accessible to the residents of the City of
Somerville, Massachusetts. Second, it is to promote and support educational, research
and outreach programs that will improve the delivery and accessibility of primary care
and preventive health services to the residents of the City of Somerville, Massachusetts.
It is the Foundation’s goal to provide financial resources for projects or activities which
will enable it to fulfill these purposes.
GOVERNANCE
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, including the Mayor of the City of
Somerville (or representative), the Chairman of the Board of the Cambridge Public
Health Commission or designee, and three Somerville representatives selected annually
by and from the Somerville representatives then serving on the Commission Board.
The current members are:

• ● Joe Curtatone, Somerville CHA Board of Trustees
• ● Bryan Eric Simmons, Somerville CHA Board of Trustees member
• ● Yvette Verdieu, Somerville CHA Board of Trustees member
• ● Karin Carroll, Mayor’s Appointee
• ● Jessica Eshleman, Somerville CHA Board of Trustees
• SHF PRIORITY AREAS FOR 2025-2026 FUNDING
• The Foundation invites proposals for projects that relate to its major purposes as stated

above. The current priorities for funding support are programs/projects with a prime
emphasis on the three equity principles that emerged from the CHA 2022 Regional
Wellbeing Report. These principles are language justice, inclusion of
underrepresented voices in leadership and decision making, and system
improvements that encourage spaces for collective care. Proposals that also address the
following preventative health priorities will receive extra consideration.

1. Housing: This priority area can include, but is not limited to,

addressing concerns such as housing affordability, stability and
anti-displacement, safety, accessibility (e.g. for older adults and
persons with disabilities), as well as homelessness and
transitions to stable housing.

1. Equitable economies: This priority area can include, but is not

systems, local jobs with living wages and benefits, healthy
working conditions, and caregiving systems.

1. Equity in access to healthcare, services and information:

• This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing

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elements such as costs, cultural and linguistic barriers, navigation
of systems, referral systems, adequate staffing, transportation,
digital access, quality, disability, and other aspects of accessibility
of systems. Systems of note include healthcare (including mental
healthcare) and other essential services and information, such as
education, economic development opportunities, financial
support, legal services and advocacy.

1. Climate health and justice: air, water, preparedness: This

priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing
concerns related to air quality, water quality, and climate change
preparedness in recognition that the health impacts of climate
disproportionately shouldered by low-income communities and
communities of color.
AMOUNT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE
The Somerville Health Foundation was created by a generous endowment by Margaret
Hutchinson, to provide a private source of funding for Somerville health efforts in compliance with
state and federal regulations governing such foundations. In 1997, its first year of making grants,
the Foundation distributed $33,000 in multiple grants. In 1998 through 2000, it distributed over
$50,000 annually, due to banner years in the stock market. Because of a decline in the value of
the funds, no grants were issued in 2003 or 2004. Since then, between $25,000 - $35,000 has
been distributed per year. In 2024 the Somerville Health Foundation distributed $30,000, funding
2 projects being $15,000 each. In 2025 the Foundation anticipated a total distribution of $30,000
and will accept requests between $10,000 and $15,000. The number and amount of grant
awarded will be based on the proposals and available funds at time of distribution.
WHO MAY APPLY
Any organization that has been determined to be nonprofit under section 501c (3) of the Internal
Revenue Service Code may apply for a grant. Partnerships with a fiscal agent will be considered.
Ideal applicants for SHF funding will have a history of collaborating with other community
coalitions and/or organizations addressing the specified interests in the proposal. SHF will
consider repeat funding for up to three years for any given project, with few exceptions. Funds
may be used to support capital expenses and/or staffing to support the goals of the project. Funds
may not be used as operating reserves or fundraising efforts. New applicants, new collaborative
efforts and innovative new programs are strongly encouraged to apply.
PROPOSAL DEADLINE AND AWARD DATES
The Foundation will give priority
consideration to timely submissions. Applications may be submitted electronically via email
(jadillahunt@challiance.org).
A reception for
grantees will be planned, according to appropriate health & safety guidelines at the time. Details
will be provided closer to the date.

ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL

1. Organizational information including:

• a) Name of applicant organization
• b) Key contact information (name, phone, email)
• c) A brief 2-3 sentence summary description of the project to be funded

1. Funding request, four pages maximum length, single spaced including:

• a) Project Description, Goals and Objectives (30 points)
• i) Brief description of the project for which funding is being sought
• ii) Identification of target population and why the specified vulnerable
• population is a priority for funding to address barriers to access
• and health prevention.
• iii) How this funding will be used to address preventative health for

Somerville residents. (Note that the intention of the Foundation is focused
on residents of the City of Somerville, so programs also serving
residents of other communities must present evidence of how they will
distinguish numbers served and the impact on Somerville residents.)
iv) Timeline for the project. (October 2025 - September 2026)
v) Specific goals and objectives with clear and achievable outcomes
measures, including details on what will be measured and how.
b) Match with Community Identified Priorities and Equity Principles (20 points)
i) How the project addresses the Foundation’s stated priorities
and addresses a community need, including addressing
structural racism.
c) Collaboration and Sustainability (15 points)
i) Description of collaborative partnerships in place to enhance the project,
and partner(s) roles.
ii) If the applicant organization is active in community coalitions, and describe
how the proposed project supports coalition goals.
iii) How the sustainability of funded projects will be addressed, for example by
leveraging other funds, or how a start-up initiative will be continued. Please
also mention any products or systems that can be used beyond the length
of the grant
iv) Letters of support allowed, but not required; limited to a maximum of 4
additional pages.
d) Budget (15 points)
i) Include a short narrative explanation of costs and how determined.
ii) Line item budget (see example below*)
iii) Please include the total cost of project, indicating other funding sources (if
relevant) including in-kind contributions
iv) Show how the SHF funding will contribute to supporting total required

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*Budget Template Example:

• XYZ Organization Proposed Budget for Parent Training Program
• Description Project Funding Source(s) Portion
• costs Requested
• from SHF
• Food for trainings ($200 per training x 5 trainings) $1,000 Somerville $1,000
• Health
• Foundation
• (SHF)
• ABCD staff time to (a) perform outreach, (b) $12,500 SHF $9,250
• conduct trainings, (c) develop brochure, (d) and ABC
• administrative tracking/management ($25/hr x Foundation
• 500 hours)
• Training materials ($5 per participant x 50 participants; $750 SHF and $500
• $500 for supplies) In-Kind
• Simultaneous interpretation at trainings ($150/hour for 3 $2,250 SHF $2,250
• hours x 5 trainings)
• Translation costs for brochure (translation costs at $.30 $500 SHF $500
• per word for 1000 word brochure)
• Evaluation ($75/hour x 20 hours to analyze responses $1,500 SHF $1,500
• and produce a report)
• TOTAL $18,500 $15,000
• Please take note: Reviewers may also assign up to 20 additional points based on the
• overall application for:
• ● Clarity, conciseness and completion of application (5 points)
• ● Project strength, impact and likelihood of success of proposed project (15 points)

1. Copy of the IRS tax determination letter indicating the organization’s 501c(3)

status must be included with the proposal to be eligible for funding.

1. A Report is required for applicants who are past SHF grantees:

• Include the following in a short report of 3 pages or less:
• ● How the original goals and objectives were met, or if not, why not;
• ● Evidence that reflects these goals; including what target populations were
• served; and how the project advances work in the targeted Somerville priority
• area;
• ● Any unexpected outcomes;
• ● Collaborations and/or leveraging of funds that was facilitated through this SHF
• support; and
• ● Plans for the sustainability of this work.

PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS
During the development stage, logistical questions related to creating strong proposals to
this RFP or related data inquiries are welcome. Please feel free to contact Jalisa Dillahunt
at jadillahunt@challiance.org with questions.
REVIEW PROCESS
Following receipt, the proposal will be screened to ensure it is complete and meets the
basic requirements. An Advisory Board composed of health and human service leaders
in the community may assist with reviewing and discussing proposals along with the
members of the Somerville Health Foundation Board, which retains final authority for
awarding the annual grants. This process allows for participation representing diverse
points of view and experience with health issues in Somerville to inform the
decision-making.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Brief electronic or verbal progress reports will be expected at least once through the
course of the funding period. Final written reports are three pages, or less. To be eligible
for funding for this year, prior grantees must have submitted relevant final reports
by August 1st, 2025. If a project is not yet completed, a description with plans for
completion is required. Grantees are encouraged to consult with Alexis Sarpong, Health
Improvement Team Project Manager, or designee, with questions regarding evaluation
and/or reporting during the grant period.
SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL
Please submit proposals electronically by 11:59 PM on August 18th, 2025 to Jalisa
Dillahunt at jadillahunt@challiance.org with Subject: “Proposal to Somerville Health