49 Local Non-Profits Receive Health New England Community Benefits Mini-Grants

Springfield, MASS. – Health New England has awarded $176,000 in grants to non-profit organizations that are creating more inclusive, accessible, and supportive communities across Western and Central Massachusetts. The company’s Community Benefits Mini-Grants went to 49 organizations in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties, all working to help people reach higher levels of health and well-being.

Health New England Community Benefits Mini-Grants are part of the company’s commitment to improving community health by addressing disparities in health outcomes, access, and experience. Alongside its parent company, Baystate Health, and with collaboration from local community partners, Health New England supports programs that open doors to better health for all.

This year’s grants focus on initiatives that address at least one social factor known to impact health, such as access to nutritious food, education, safe housing, health care, transportation, and opportunities for connection and belonging. By investing in these areas, Health New England aims to help ensure that everyone has the resources and support needed to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Mini-Grants Recipients

The 2025 Health New England Community Benefits Mini-Grants recipients are:

Berkshire County

• Berkshire Bounty, Great Barrington, Food Purchase Program
• Berkshire Grown, Great Barrington, Farm to Food Access
• Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Great Barrington, TONE (Teen Outreach Nutrition Exercise)
• Brien Center, Pittsfield, Patrick Miller Youth Substance Abuse Prevention, Education, and Treatment Program
• Community Access to the Arts, Great Barrington, CATA Arts Workshops for People with Disabilities
• Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires & Southern Vermont, Pittsfield, Fighting Hunger in the Berkshires Initiative
• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, Expanding access to healing through scholarships
• Pediatric Development Center, Pittsfield, Early Autism Diagnosis Program
• Volunteers in Medicine-Berkshires, Great Barrington, Free Restorative Dental Care

Franklin County

• Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), South Deerfield, Senior Farm Share
• Franklin County Community Meals Program, Greenfield, Orange Food Pantry and Community Center
• Franklin County's YMCA, Greenfield, Livestrong at the YMCA
• Resilience Center of Franklin County (RCFC), Greenfield, RCFC Emergency Shelter Client Assistance

Hampden County

• Access Care Partners, Inc., Holyoke, Meals on Wheels Nutrition Program
• Alianza DV Services, Holyoke, Expanding Access to Mental Health Counseling for Survivors of Domestic Violence
• Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee, Inc., Chicopee, Teen First Aid/CPR/AED Training
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, Inc., Holyoke, The Youth Food Hub
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, Westfield, The Club
• Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Chicopee, Food Assistance—feeding our neighbors in need
• Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, West Springfield, Home Preservation
• Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc., Springfield, Meals on Wheels
• Harmony House of Western MA, Chicopee, Harmony House
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services, Inc., Springfield, MLKFS Emergency Food Pantry
• Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, Holyoke, Disability Justice Project
• Michael J Dias Foundation, Inc., Ludlow, MJD sober houses
• Pa'lante Transformative Justice, Holyoke, Mindful Rage & Mental Health Services
• Pioneer Valley Workers Center, Springfield, The People's Pantry/La Despensa del Pueblo
• Providence Ministries for the Needy, Holyoke, Kate's Kitchen
• Revitalize Community Development Corporation, Springfield, Digital Equity Program
• Springfield School Volunteers, Inc., Springfield, Project Coach
• The Gray House, Springfield, The Market at Gray House
• The Men of Honor Youth Mentorship Program Inc., Springfield, Men of Honor Family Education Program
• Way Finders, Springfield, Resident Support Services: Ensuring Long-term Housing
• West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, West Springfield, Social-Emotional Learning Resource Program,
• Women of Color Health Equity Collective, Springfield, Madrina Project
• YWCA of Western Massachusetts, Springfield, YWCA of Western MA Emergency Food Pantry

Hampshire County

• Amherst Community Connections, Amherst, Housing Stability, Health, and Food Access Initiative
• Amherst Survival Center, North Amherst, Food Pantry Programs
• Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, Northampton, Healing Garden Wellness Initiative
• Cornerstone Health Advocates, Belchertown, Building Health Literacy and Access in Western Massachusetts
• Growing A New Heart, Northampton, A Call For Change Helpline
• Hampshire Regional YMCA, Northampton, Long Term Wellness for Cancer Survivors
• International Language Institute of Massachusetts, Northampton, Equitable Access to Health Education for Immigrants and Refugees
• Northampton Survival Center, Northampton, Fresh Van delivery program
• Safe Passage, Northampton, Housing and Economic Justice Initiative

Worcester County

• Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc., Abby's House, Worcester, Shelter, Housing, and Food Stability Program
• Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, Worcester, The Health and Personal Wellness Program for Girls
• North Star Family Services, Inc., Leominster, Bonnie's Place, family homeless shelter
• Pathways For Change, Worcester, Healing Through Empowerment

As an economic and healthcare pillar of the community, Baystate Health and Health New England recognize the importance of supporting and collaborating with the organizations working to improve our cities, towns and neighborhoods.

“We are so proud to support such a wide variety of community-serving organizations with Health New England’s Community Benefits Mini-Grants,” said Katie Bruno, MPH, Health New England’s Manager of Quality Improvement Programs. “These grants recognize and uplift the many outstanding regional organizations that share Health New England’s commitment to advancing the health of our communities and empowering individuals and families to lead healthy, successful lives.”

Health New England, a regional not-for-profit health plan, continues to invest in the health and well-being of the people in the communities it serves. In its sixth year, the Health New England Community Benefits Mini-Grants program has awarded $595,000 to local non-profits addressing health equity in Western and Central Massachusetts.

About Health New England

Baystate Health, together with its health plan, Health New England, is a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare system and the largest in western Massachusetts. Serving more than 800,000 people across western New England, Baystate includes an academic medical center, children’s hospital, three community hospitals, outpatient practices, home health and hospice services, and a regional health plan. Health New England provides coverage to more than 160,000 members through commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid (MassHealth) plans. United by a mission to improve the health of the people in our communities every day, Baystate Health and Health New England deliver high-quality, compassionate care with a focus on quality, safety, value, and experience. For more information, visit healthnewengland.org.