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Point32Health Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$8.1M
Grant Range
$20K - $1.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.1+ million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (limited capacity with ~75% of budget pre-committed to multi-year grants)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 4 months from inquiry deadline to decision
  • Grant Range: $20,000 - $1,000,000 (multi-year grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island

Contact Details

Website: www.point32healthfoundation.org
Phone: 617-972-9400
Address: 1 Wellness Way, Canton, MA 02021
Email: Contact via online inquiry form at www.cybergrants.com/point32health/foundationinquiryform

Overview

Point32Health Foundation Inc (EIN 26-1374263) was established in 2007 as the philanthropic arm of Point32Health (formed from the merger of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan). With over $8 million in annual giving, the Foundation made 159 grants in 2023 across five New England states. Beginning in 2025, the Foundation's singular focus is equity in aging—prioritizing efforts that address systemic inequities, with a deep commitment to social and racial justice. The Foundation takes a trust-based, community-led approach, believing those most affected by inequities are best positioned to define problems and design solutions. In December 2024, the Foundation made a significant $15 million commitment to social and racial justice over five years, including $3 million to The Boston Foundation's Asian Community Fund, Equality Fund, and Latino Equity Fund.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Operating Grants: Multi-year general operating support (typically 1-5 years) for nonprofits doing aging work that addresses equity, especially in communities experiencing historic disinvestment. Recent examples range from $20,000 one-year grants to $1 million five-year commitments. Average grant size approximately $50,000-200,000.

Social and Racial Justice Grants: Support for organizations led by people connected to represented communities that advance systemic change and fight injustices. Recent major grants include $1 million each to the Asian Community Fund, Equality Fund, and Latino Equity Fund.

Organizing, Policy, Advocacy and Systems Improvement Grants: Support for efforts to improve food access for older adults, support caregivers, provide civic engagement opportunities, develop mental health approaches, propose housing solutions, and create transportation strategies.

Technical Assistance Grants: Up to $20,000 available to current grantees for capacity building and organizational development.

Application submissions accepted through online inquiry form on rolling basis with two annual deadlines:

  • February 20 (for organizing, policy, advocacy, and systems change work; decisions June)
  • September 18 (for community building work; decisions December)

Priority Areas

Equity in Aging Focus Areas:

  • Community-led solutions addressing systemic inequities affecting older adults
  • Organizations proximate and connected to communities of color and those facing systemic barriers
  • Efforts that include diverse people with lived experience informing plans and solutions
  • Disruptive approaches to influence systems beyond individual organizations
  • Work dismantling racist systems
  • Support for caregivers and family members
  • Civic engagement and voting access for older adults
  • Mental health and behavioral health approaches
  • Food security and access to nutritious food
  • Housing solutions and affordability
  • Transportation access

Geographic Priority: Organizations serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, particularly those working in communities experiencing historic disinvestment.

Organizational Characteristics Valued:

  • Organizations for, by, and about communities of color
  • Proximate to people they serve
  • Show promise (may be unproven) and take risks
  • Collaborate to expand positive impact
  • Use innovative and disruptive approaches

What They Don't Fund

  • Political candidates or lobbying activities
  • Capital projects or equipment purchases
  • Fundraising events or sponsorships
  • Endowments
  • Grants to individuals
  • Disease-specific initiatives
  • Religious purposes or sectarian activities
  • Research (with limited exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

Beth Chandler, Executive Director: Joined Point32Health Foundation in spring 2024 as Director of Community Investments and was promoted to Executive Director in June 2025. Chandler has stated: "I look forward to joining the team and working with community partners to advance equity in aging" and "I appreciate the intentionality of embedding equity in all the work and the commitment to a trust-based approach that centers community." More recently, she commented: "As we ReiMAgine Aging for 2030, we build on the past successes of community organizations who are improving accessibility, affordability and connection for older adults every day."

Kristin Lewis, President: Named President of Point32Health Foundation in 2025, also serves as Vice President of Corporate Citizenship for Point32Health.

Greg Shell, Board Chair: Partner at Goldman Sachs, serves as chair of the Point32Health Foundation board.

Marylou Sudders, Board Member: Joined the Foundation board with extensive experience in public health and social work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation uses a two-stage inquiry and invitation process:

  1. Submit Online Inquiry Form: Organizations begin by submitting a short online inquiry form at www.cybergrants.com/point32health/foundationinquiryform sharing how their work aligns with the Foundation's focus on equity in aging.

  2. Foundation Review: The Foundation team reviews submissions within 30 business days and may reach out for a conversation if there is potential alignment.

  3. Invitation to Apply: Only organizations being recommended for board consideration receive an invitation to submit full grant documentation. There are no immediate next steps after the initial inquiry unless invited.

  4. Full Application: Invited organizations submit brief grant documentation.

  5. Board Decision: The Foundation's board meets twice annually to make final funding decisions.

Important Note: The Foundation also proactively reaches out to equity-centered organizations to learn more about their work, so organizations may be contacted even without submitting an inquiry form.

Decision Timeline

Two Annual Grant Cycles:

Cycle 1 (Organizing, Policy, Advocacy & Systems Change):

  • Inquiry Deadline: February 20
  • Foundation Review: By March 20
  • Full Applications Due: Mid-May (if invited)
  • Board Decision: June
  • Notification: Late June

Cycle 2 (Community Building):

  • Inquiry Deadline: September 18
  • Foundation Review: October-November
  • Board Decision: December
  • Notification: December

Total timeline from inquiry submission to decision: Approximately 4 months

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation notes that approximately 75% of their annual $8 million grantmaking budget is already committed to multi-year grants with existing grantees, meaning only about $2 million is available for new grants each year. This suggests a highly competitive process with limited capacity for new grantees.

In 2023, the Foundation made 159 grants totaling $8.1+ million across five states.

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations may submit one inquiry form per year
  • Former grantees remain eligible to reapply if their work aligns with the Foundation's current focus on equity in aging
  • No specific waiting period mentioned for unsuccessful applicants
  • The Foundation prioritizes organizations supporting older adults, especially in communities of color

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and recent grantmaking patterns, successful applicants demonstrate:

Community-Led Approach: The Foundation explicitly states: "We believe those most affected by inequities are in the best position to define the problem, design appropriate solutions and describe success." Efforts must include diverse people with lived experience who are affected by the issues, and individuals from community must be informing plans and actions.

Proximity to Communities Served: Organizations must be "proximate and connected to the people they serve," particularly communities of color and those experiencing systemic barriers. The Foundation notes: "As different lived experiences impact the way we age, the Foundation relies on the experiences of organizations which are more proximate and look to them to define the older population they serve."

Focus on Older Adults: While the definition of "older adults" may vary, organizations should prioritize and directly engage older adults, especially in communities of color and those experiencing systemic barriers.

Systems-Level Change: The Foundation values "disruptive approaches to influence systems beyond individual organizations." They seek organizations working on organizing, policy, advocacy, and systems improvement—not just direct service.

Working in Disinvested Communities: Organizations should work in communities experiencing historic disinvestment, addressing the root causes of inequities rather than symptoms.

Risk-Taking and Innovation: The Foundation looks for organizations that "show promise—may be unproven—and take risk." They are willing to invest in emerging organizations and innovative approaches.

Collaboration: Successful applicants "collaborate to expand positive impact" and work with other organizations to create broader change.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

  • Niweskok received $140,000 over three years for creation of a Wabanaki Food Hub in Maine
  • Maine Initiatives received $425,000 over five years to cultivate social, economic and environmental justice through grassroots leadership
  • Connecticut Urban Opportunity Collaborative received $180,000 over three years to support a guaranteed income program
  • RI Elder Info received $20,000 for one year to expand online resources for older adults
  • Village Common of Rhode Island received $40,000 to expand volunteer coordination

Language and Terminology: Use terms like "equity in aging," "systemic inequities," "community-led solutions," "lived experience," "historic disinvestment," "disruptive approaches," and "social and racial justice."

Common Reasons for Rejection (Inferred):

  • Work does not center older adults
  • Purely direct service without systems-level change component
  • Organization not proximate to or led by affected communities
  • Work does not address equity or systemic barriers
  • Geographic area outside five-state New England region
  • Falls into excluded categories (capital projects, endowments, individuals, etc.)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Limited New Grant Capacity: With 75% of the $8 million budget already committed to multi-year grants, competition for the remaining ~$2 million is intense. Only apply if there is strong alignment.

  • Community Leadership is Non-Negotiable: Organizations must demonstrate that people with lived experience affected by the issues are informing plans and solutions. This is not optional—it's a core requirement.

  • Equity in Aging is the Singular Focus: Beginning in 2025, all grants must connect to equity in aging. If your work doesn't center older adults experiencing systemic barriers, you likely won't be competitive.

  • Systems Change Over Direct Service: The Foundation seeks "disruptive approaches to influence systems." If you only provide direct services without policy, advocacy, or organizing components, consider whether this is the right funder.

  • Trust-Based Philanthropy Approach: The Foundation uses general operating support, multi-year grants, and an inquiry-first process that minimizes burden on applicants. Emphasize organizational capacity and community trust rather than project-specific deliverables.

  • Proactive Outreach: The Foundation actively seeks out equity-centered organizations. Building relationships and visibility in the New England aging/equity sector may lead to invitation even without submitting an inquiry.

  • Multi-Year Commitment Possible: Recent grants range from 1-5 years, with many in the 3-5 year range. Frame your work as building long-term capacity and systems change rather than short-term projects.

References

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