Organizational Grants

We have updated our application process, please read carefully!

The Massachusetts Medical Society asserts that enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, in all its dimensions, including health care, is a basic human right.

The Foundation award grants to non-profit organizations with a demonstrated commitment to communities that have been historically marginalized or made vulnerable and are focused on one or more of the following funding priorities:

• Quality health care services for the un- and underinsured
  We seek to fund clinics and other groups that directly provide free or subsidized health care care for those who otherwise would not have access. Preference is given to physician-led volunteer initiatives and projects or programs engaging medical students and resident physicians. As with most clinical care, the services provided often include additional case management, education, and referral services.

• Behavioral health services when not available
  Though quality health care inherently includes behavioral health services, we separate this category of interventions to highlight the lack of high-quality behavioral and mental health services available to vulnerable populations. We hope to grow these resources by investing in behavioral health work throughout the Commonwealth. This category includes substance use intervention and counseling as well as other counseling services.

Generally, grant size ranges from $5,000 to $20,000.

The organizations we fund must:

• be a non-profit organization with a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) designation as determined by the Internal Revenue Service
• have less than $1million in assets; and
• have none or very limited funding from the state or federal government

If you have a specific question about eligibility, email jday@mms.org.

Letters of Intent (LOIs) due January 15.

Our current policy guidelines preclude support for:

• Capital Campaigns, endowments, building campaigns
• For-Profit Organizations
• Fundraising Drives and Fundraising Events
• Individuals (unless applying for the Global Health Studies Grant or scholarships through a directed giving program)
• Private or Parochial Schools, Colleges, or Universities
• Government agencies 
• Organizations that advocate, support, or practice discrimination based on race, religion, age, national origin, language, sex, sexual preference, or physical handicap
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Research
• Political or Lobbying Activity

The Foundation’s grants process is competitive. While many proposals are worthy and meet funding guidelines, not all requests can be funded.

Applying

The Foundation uses a two-stage application process, meaning that we only accept full proposals from applicants whose Letters of Intent have been approved by the Board of Directors. The Board will assess all Letters of Intent and Full Proposals based on measurable goals and outcomes presented in the organization’s Logic Model.

Again, the Foundation only considers those requests directly related to our mission and our funding priorities.

All stages of our application are administered through our online grant portal. To apply:

1. Organizations must make a unique log on to our online grant management system (for more information about how to use and optimize that system, click here).

2. Applicants must submit their Letters of Intent (LOIs) by January 15. Our LOI asks for basic information about your organization, the population you serve, and the project you plan to complete with our funding. It also includes the first draft of your Logic Model which documents the activities, inputs, outputs, outcomes, and measures the project will require and utilize in order to reach their goals.

3. Complete proposals are due March 1. Organizations selected by the Board to move forward to stage two will be invited to reenter the site and submit their full proposals. Our proposal requires an in depth break down of your project as well as the final draft of your Logic Model and multiple supplemental budgeting and accounting materials.

4. Decisions will be posted by May 1. If approved, you will need to reenter the online portal to accept your grant. You will also need to submit an interim report 6 months into your grant period and a final report at the end of your grant period, summarizing the program’s efficacy and sharing photos and stories of your experience.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

For more information, contact the Foundation:
Jennifer Day
Director, Charitable Foundation
Massachusetts Medical Society
860 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 434-7044
jday@mms.org