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Baystate Health Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$5.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo
0

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5.3 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; Better Together Grants approximately 3-4 months from RFP to award
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000
  • Geographic Focus: Western Massachusetts (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties)

Contact Details

Address: 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199

Phone: 413-794-5444

Email: bhf@baystatehealth.org

Website: https://www.baystatehealth.org/foundation

Key Contact: Kathy Tobin, Interim Vice President of Philanthropy & Executive Director

Funding Application Portal: https://www.baystatehealth.org/about-us/community-programs/how-to-apply-for-funding

Overview

Baystate Health Foundation Inc (EIN: 04-3549011) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to foster a culture of philanthropy and establish philanthropic relationships that support Baystate Health's mission to enhance the wellbeing of individuals in communities every day with quality and compassion. While the Foundation primarily raises funds to support Baystate Health's hospitals, programs, and services across Western Massachusetts, it also operates several community grant programs that make awards to external nonprofit organizations. In 2023, the Foundation distributed $5.3 million in grants across 7 awards. In 2024, this increased to over $8.4 million across 8 awards. The Foundation is currently undertaking "Healthier Tomorrows: The Campaign for Baystate Health," a $70 million fundraising initiative—the largest in the organization's history. The Foundation's community benefits mission is "to reduce health disparities, promote community wellness, and improve access to care for vulnerable populations."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Better Together Grants: Multi-year grants (typically 2-3 years) offered through a periodic Request for Proposals (RFP) process to support community health initiatives. Recent awards range from $43,000 to $250,000 per organization over the grant period. In 2024, five organizations received a total of $500,000 ($100,000 each) for youth mental health initiatives. In 2021, 17 organizations received a total of $1.2 million. This program is episodic and not guaranteed as an offering each year. Application method: RFP process when available.

Community Benefits Investments: Awards to organizations for initiatives that intend to generate a measurable impact by strengthening social, health, economic, and environmental conditions to improve community health. These grants are typically for one year and do not exceed $5,000. Application method: Online rolling application.

Community Sponsorships: Support for one-time events or activities that provide positive public awareness of Baystate Health and align with priority health needs identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment. Awards do not exceed $5,000. Application method: Online rolling application.

Corporate Sponsorships: Financial investments greater than $10,000 designed to increase brand awareness and improve goodwill of Baystate Health. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for corporate sponsorships, preferring to proactively identify organizations, initiatives, and events that align with their mission.

Priority Areas

Baystate Health Foundation's funding priorities align with Baystate Health's triennial Community Health Needs Assessments and include:

  • Youth Mental Health and Well-being: Decreasing adverse youth mental health outcomes and supporting youth development
  • Social Determinants of Health: Economic opportunity, affordable housing, quality education, safe neighborhoods, food security, social and racial justice
  • Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders: Mental health services and substance use treatment
  • Health Equity and Inclusion: Emphasis on underserved communities, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and low-income populations
  • Maternal and Infant Health: Supporting healthy pregnancy outcomes and early childhood development
  • Access to Care: Improving access for vulnerable populations
  • Food Security: Addressing nutrition and food access challenges
  • Homelessness and Housing Insecurity: Supporting housing stability and homeless populations
  • Digital Equity: Providing digital access and skills to low-income communities

The Foundation embraces a comprehensive definition of health that extends beyond medical care to include the social, economic, and environmental conditions that impact community wellbeing.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations that have received funding from Baystate Health Foundation in the current fiscal year (maximum one application per fiscal year per organization)
  • Organizations that have received a Better Together Grant are not eligible for additional funding until the following fiscal year
  • Organizations not recognized as IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits (unless they have a qualified fiscal sponsor)
  • Organizations located outside of Western Massachusetts or that don't primarily serve communities where Baystate Health or an affiliate hospital is located
  • Written inquiries seeking funding support (applications must be submitted through online system)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Baystate Health Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes healthcare leaders, business executives, and community representatives:

  • Maureen James, JD (Chair) - Attorney, Skoler Abbott
  • Kathy Tobin - Interim VP of Philanthropy, Interim Executive Director of Baystate Health Foundation
  • Jeffrey A. Amanti - Production Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Company, Inc.
  • Dr. Andrew W. Artenstein, MD, MBA - Chief Physician Executive & Chief Academic Officer, Baystate Health
  • Peter D. Banko, MHA, FACHE - President & CEO, Baystate Health
  • Vincent J. Cardillo - Founder, President & CEO, Maeva Dental Advisors
  • Michelle Dwyer - President/CEO, Franklin First Federal Credit Union
  • Peter Greenberg - President, City Tire
  • Dena Hall - Executive VP, Chief Retail Banking & Marketing Officer, bankESB
  • Samuel R. Hanmer - President and CEO, Rush Insurance Group, Inc.
  • Madeline V. Landrau - Director of Strategic Giving, MassMutual
  • Laurie Martin, CPA, CIA, MBA - Chief Financial Officer, Baystate Health
  • John F. Maybury - President, Maybury Material Handling
  • Christopher M. Orszulak - Managing Director, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
  • Jacqueline Rodriguez - Community Liaison, Department of Public Health
  • Mark W. Teed - Senior VP, Investments, Teed Capital Management of Raymond James

Key Staff

Kathy Tobin serves as Interim Vice President of Philanthropy at Baystate Health and Interim Executive Director of the Baystate Health Foundation, as well as Director of Annual Giving & Events. In speaking about community support, Tobin has emphasized the importance of partnerships: "The generosity of the [community] and all their sponsors is so important to the children of our region. Baystate Children's Hospital is very appreciative of their efforts on behalf of our youngest patients. This attention and financial support allows us to continue providing excellent care to all those families who depend on us."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through Baystate Health's online funding request process at https://www.baystatehealth.org/about-us/community-programs/how-to-apply-for-funding. The Foundation does not respond to written inquiries seeking funding support.

For Community Benefits Investments and Community Sponsorships:

  • Rolling application cycle throughout the fiscal year (October 1 - September 30)
  • Complete online application with all required documentation
  • Only one application per fiscal year will be considered from any single nonprofit organization

For Better Together Grants:

  • Periodic RFP process (not offered every year)
  • Two-stage application: Letter of Intent followed by full proposal for invited organizations
  • When offered, RFP timelines typically span 2-3 months from announcement to award decision
  • Recent example (2020): LOI in October, information session in November, final applications in December, awards announced in late January

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a fiscal sponsor that is tax-exempt certified
  • Must be located in or primarily provide services in a community where Baystate Health or an affiliate hospital is located (Western Massachusetts: Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin Counties)
  • Submit a completed application through the online system with all requested documentation

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program type:

  • Community Benefits Investments/Sponsorships: Rolling review; timing not publicly specified but applications processed on an ongoing basis
  • Better Together Grants: Approximately 3-4 months from RFP announcement to award decision
  • Applications require 4+ months lead time for consideration

The Foundation's fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, available data shows:

  • 2021 Better Together Grants: 17 awards made from an undisclosed number of applications
  • 2013 historical example: 6 applications received, 4 funded (67% success rate)
  • 2023: 7 total awards made across all programs
  • 2024: 8 total awards made across all programs

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that receive funding from Baystate Health Foundation during a fiscal year are not eligible to apply again until the following fiscal year. Organizations that receive a Better Together Grant are not eligible for any additional funding support until the following fiscal year, regardless of the grant period.

Application Success Factors

Based on Baystate Health Foundation's stated priorities and funded projects, the following factors increase application success:

Alignment with Community Health Needs Assessment: Projects must align with the specific hospital's triennial Community Health Needs Assessment relevant to your service area. Review the current CHNA for Baystate Medical Center, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Noble Hospital, or Baystate Wing Hospital based on your geographic location.

Social Determinants of Health Framework: Successful applications apply a social determinants of health lens. Recent Better Together grants specifically required projects to "apply a social determinants of health framework." The Foundation recognizes that health extends beyond medical care to include economic opportunity, housing, education, neighborhood safety, food security, and social justice.

Evidence-Based Approaches: Projects should be evidence-based, promising, or implement recognized best practices. The Foundation values initiatives grounded in research and proven methodologies.

Built-in Evaluation: All funded projects must include routine performance reporting and program evaluation. Better Together grantees receive technical assistance and evaluation support from the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Applications should clearly describe how outcomes will be measured and evaluated.

Focus on Priority Populations: Recent CHNAs identify priority populations including people of color, immigrants, older adults ages 65+, young children and their caregivers, LGBTQ individuals, and low-income individuals. Projects serving these populations align well with Foundation priorities.

Multi-year Impact: For Better Together Grants, successful projects demonstrate potential for sustained, measurable impact over 2-3 years rather than one-time activities.

Recent Funded Project Examples:

  • Community Legal Aid's Family Preservation Project (2024, $100,000)
  • Follow My Steps Foundation's Steps to Empowerment Program (2024, $100,000)
  • Latino Counseling Center's Mindful Connections/Conexiones Conscientes (2024, $100,000)
  • The Care Center & Greenfield Technical Community College's Cabot Street College (2022, $250,000 over 3 years)
  • Community Action Pioneer Valley's Youth Partnership for Social Change and Healing Justice (2021, $100,000 over 2 years)

Application Quality: While specific guidance from the Foundation is limited, their online system collects "pertinent information needed to make a timely decision," suggesting applications should be clear, complete, and responsive to all questions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know Your Hospital's CHNA: Carefully review the Community Health Needs Assessment for the specific Baystate hospital serving your area (Medical Center, Franklin, Noble, or Wing). Your project must align with identified priority health needs.

  • Apply a Broad Health Lens: Frame your work using social determinants of health language and demonstrate how your initiative strengthens social, health, economic, and environmental conditions—not just medical outcomes.

  • Plan for Evaluation: Build robust evaluation and performance reporting into your project design from the start. Be prepared to work with technical assistance providers if selected for Better Together Grants.

  • Target Priority Populations: Clearly demonstrate how your project serves vulnerable or underserved populations identified in the CHNA, including people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and low-income communities.

  • Strategic Timing: Better Together Grants are offered periodically (not annually), so monitor the Foundation's website for RFP announcements. For smaller funding needs, Community Benefits Investments accept rolling applications.

  • One Shot Per Year: With only one application permitted per fiscal year, choose your strongest program alignment and make it count. Organizations receiving any funding must wait until the next fiscal year to apply again.

  • Geographic Specificity: Your organization must be located in or primarily serve communities in Western Massachusetts where Baystate Health operates (Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin Counties). Service area matters.

References

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