Atrius Health Equity Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4.5 million (2024)
• Total Assets: $150 million (spend-down foundation)
• Success Rate: Highly competitive (8 selected from Youth Change Agents program)
• Decision Time: Varies by program (multi-phase application process)
• Grant Range: $200,000 - $5,000,000+
• Geographic Focus: Eastern Massachusetts (Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket counties)
• Timeline: Spend down by 2030

Contact Details

Email: info@atriusfoundation.org
Grant Inquiries: grants@atriusfoundation.org
Mailing Address: PO Box 1047, Brookline, MA 02446-0008
Website: www.atriusfoundation.org

Pre-Application Support: The Foundation welcomes 25-minute virtual meetings with prospective grantee organizations to discuss potential proposals. Email info@atriusfoundation.org to schedule.

Overview

The Atrius Health Equity Foundation was established in June 2022 following the conversion of Atrius Health into a for-profit corporation. The Foundation operates independently with approximately $150 million in assets, which it plans to distribute by 2030. In just 18 months of grantmaking, the Foundation has committed over $44 million—nearly a third of its total assets—demonstrating an aggressive, high-impact approach to closing life expectancy gaps across Eastern Massachusetts. The Foundation focuses on large-scale strategic investments in community-based organizations, addressing the social and economic factors that drive health inequities. Governed by a 14-member board with extensive experience in healthcare, government, and public health, the Foundation prioritizes community-led innovations and youth empowerment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth as Health Care Change Agents ($25.1 million total, first cohort)

• Individual grants ranging approximately $2-5 million per organization
• Multi-year funding supporting youth-led community health solutions
• Focus on health career pathway development
• 8 organizations funded in first cohort (highly competitive process)

Live Long and Well Catalyst Program ($10 million commitment, $5 million distributed)

• $200,000 in first year per coalition
• Additional funding over subsequent years
• Partnership with City of Boston and Boston Public Health Commission
• 4 community-led coalitions selected in 2024
• Second round of $5 million expected in 2028

Medical Debt Elimination Initiative ($10 million)

• Partnership with RIP Medical Debt, Health Law Advocates, and Health Care For All
• Aims to eliminate nearly $500 million in medical debt
• Targets low and middle-income residents across Eastern Massachusetts

Initial Partnership Grants ($500,000 each)

• Health Equity Compact
• The New Commonwealth Fund

Priority Areas

• Health equity and life expectancy gaps: Closing disparities in communities with lowest life expectancies
• Economic mobility: Employment, workforce development, wealth building, credit repair
• Youth empowerment: Youth as health change agents, leadership development, health career pathways
• Social determinants of health: Education, housing, food security, transportation
• Community-led solutions: Holistic, systems-based approaches designed by communities
• Population health and preventive care: Cardiometabolic health, behavioral health
• Community health worker development: Training and certification programs

What They Don't Fund

• For-profit institutions
• Individuals and families
• Events or sponsorships
• Political campaigns
• Research projects
• Organizations not headquartered in Eastern Massachusetts

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Ann Hwang, MD - President
Dr. Hwang brings experience as a primary care physician and multiple roles in government and nonprofits focused on health policy and advocacy. She has stated: "The mission of our Foundation is to close the gap in life expectancy across Eastern Massachusetts. We do this through bold investments that address the social and economic factors impacting health and that build collaboration and community leadership."

Ray Gilkes, MBA - Finance and Administration Director
Marlene Cerritos-Rivas, MPH - Program Director
Stephanie Martinez Fernandez, SM - Associate Program Officer
Tariana V. Little, DrPH - Fractional Communications Director
Alisha Congleton - Program Coordinator
Indira Rao - Program Coordinator

Board of Directors

Jon Kingsdale, PhD - Board Chair
Renee Crichlow, MD, FAAFP - Vice Chair
Leslie Teso-Lichtman, MBA - Treasurer
Monica Bharel, MD, MPH
Maria Celli, PsyD
Chip Flowers, Jr., Esq.
Mary Y. Lee, MD, MS, MACP
Robert Master, MD
Julita Mir, MD
James Roosevelt, Jr., JD
Vin Sahney, PhD
Ann Hwang, MD (ex officio)

The Board has vast experience in healthcare, government, and public health, and includes founding member Jack Connors (honored in memoriam).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation makes investments through both invited and open calls for proposals. Grant opportunities are shared on their website and through their mailing list.

For Open Calls (when available):

1. Phase 1 - Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Complete LOI template and budget template
2. Phase 2 - Full Proposal: Preliminarily selected applicants invited to submit full proposal
3. Questions during process: Send to grants@atriusfoundation.org

To Stay Informed:

• Join the mailing list by emailing info@atriusfoundation.org
• Monitor website at www.atriusfoundation.org/grants for new opportunities
• Schedule a 25-minute virtual meeting to discuss potential proposals

Application Method: Online submission (varies by program)

Decision Timeline

The Foundation uses a multi-phase competitive selection process. Specific timelines vary by grant program and are announced with each RFP. The selection process is described as "highly competitive and rigorous" and is shaped by community input.

Success Rates

The Youth as Health Care Change Agents program was highly competitive, with 8 organizations selected for funding from a competitive applicant pool. The Foundation prioritizes quality over quantity, making large-scale strategic investments rather than numerous small grants.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact grants@atriusfoundation.org for specific guidance.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Community Connection: The Foundation seeks "non-profit organizations deeply connected to, and situated in, the communities they serve." They prioritize organizations headquartered in Eastern Massachusetts with demonstrated roots in the communities they serve.

Systems-Based Approach: As Dr. Hwang stated, "We hear from communities across Eastern Massachusetts how economic opportunity is foundational for health and well-being. Our investment recognizes the deep connection between health and wealth." Successful applicants address holistic solutions spanning education, employment, economic mobility, and structural factors affecting health.

Community-Centered Philosophy: The Foundation embraces the principle of "nothing about us without us" and believes that "people living and working within communities best understand what is needed to strengthen and grow."

Youth Leadership: For youth-focused programs, the Foundation values youth as "powerful agents of change" and seeks organizations with commitment to health career pathway development.

Recent Funded Projects

Youth as Health Care Change Agents Grantees (2024):

• The BASE (Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan): Nutrition education, mental health, leadership development
• Brockton Neighborhood Health Center: Hometown Healthcare Academy for grades 9-12
• Fields Corner Crossroads Collaborative/DotHouse Health: Youth Ambassadors program
• La Colaborativa (Chelsea): Bilingual community health worker training (1,600+ hours hands-on experience)
• Lawrence CommunityWorks: Health career development and leadership programming
• Lowell Community Health Center: Health Justice Learning Institute
• Lynn Community Health Center: Student Fellowship Program (70 high school students)
• Mattapan Food & Fitness Coalition: Vigorous Youth Leaders program

Live Long and Well Catalyst Program Grantees (2024):

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, Link Health, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center
• Immigrant Family Services Institute, True Care Alliance Center, Massachusetts Association of Haitian Parents
• The Community Builders, Codman Square NDC, Talbot-Norfolk Triangle Neighbors United
• Upham's Community Care, Dorchester Food Co-op, Jamaica Plain NDC

Strategic Approach

The Foundation uses a spend-down model, planning to distribute all $150 million by 2030. This creates urgency and opportunity for transformational investments. The Foundation emphasizes:

• Large-scale grants rather than small awards
• Deep, sustained investments in fewer communities
• Multi-year commitments
• Technical assistance and support for grantees
• Building collaboration and community leadership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is strict: Organizations must be headquartered in one of the nine Eastern Massachusetts counties served (Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket)
• Think big and holistic: The Foundation makes large-scale grants ($2-5 million) addressing multiple dimensions of health equity—education, employment, economic mobility, not just healthcare
• Community connection is essential: Demonstrate deep roots in and accountability to the communities you serve; the "nothing about us without us" principle is central
• Economic opportunity matters: Explicitly connect your work to wealth building, employment, and economic mobility—Dr. Hwang emphasizes this as "foundational for health and well-being"
• Spend-down timeline creates opportunity: With $150 million to distribute by 2030 and $44 million already committed, the Foundation is making bold investments now
• Engage early: Take advantage of the 25-minute virtual meeting opportunity before applications open to build relationships and ensure alignment
• Youth-led approaches valued: If working with youth, position them as change agents and leaders, not just beneficiaries

References

• Atrius Health Equity Foundation official website: https://www.atriusfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 16, 2026)
• What We Fund page: https://www.atriusfoundation.org/grants (Accessed January 16, 2026)
• Team page: https://www.atriusfoundation.org/team (Accessed January 16, 2026)
• Youth Change Agents program: https://www.atriusfoundation.org/youthchange (Accessed January 16, 2026)
• Live Long and Well Catalyst Program: https://www.atriusfoundation.org/live-long-catalyst (Accessed January 16, 2026)
• Our Vision: https://www.atriusfoundation.org/vision (Accessed January 16, 2026)
• Impact Report 2024: https://www.atriusfoundation.org/2024impactreport (Accessed January 16, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/264517944 (Accessed January 16, 2026)
• "Atrius Health Equity Foundation awards $23 million to 8 organizations in Eastern Mass." Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, July 2024
• "$5 Million in Initial Grants to go towards Improving Health and Closing Life Expectancy Gaps," Boston.gov, July 28, 2025
• "The Community Builders Leads One Of Four Partnerships Awarded $5 Million," The Community Builders press release, 2025