Southcoast Health and United Way Team Up to Launch $200K Healthy Community Fund

Two of the region's legacy nonprofits are joining forces to fund projects that will address major needs here on the SouthCoast. The United Way of Greater New Bedford and Southcoast Health are teaming up to launch the Healthy Community Fund.

Michelle Hantman, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater New Bedford, and Ali LeBert, Manager of Community Health and Wellness at Southcoast Health, spoke with me this week about the Healthy Community Fund, which will offer grants of up to $25,000 for projects that address critical needs in our region.

"Both Southcoast Health and the United Way have had a long history of awarding grant money to community organizations," LeBert said. "We're really excited to think outside the box and partner with another force in the community to provide more funds into this local area."

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"We are looking at this as a pilot program that we can hopefully grow over time," Hantman said. "We will learn together this year, and next year we hope other funders will come to the table and be part of this. We're hoping to have some real outcomes that will make big changes in the community."

Key Focus Areas for the New Grant Fund

The Healthy Community Fund hopes to focus on nine key areas, as identified in a 2025 report by the South Coast Community Health Alliance and other sources. They include access to health and medical care, housing needs, food security and access, maternal health and well being, behavioral health, socio-economic factors, chronic disease and healthier lifestyles.

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Both the United Way and Southcoast Health have put together a fund of $200,000 to start to address those needs.

Important Dates and How Local Organizations Can Apply

Interested organizations should attend Zoom sessions next week (August 19 and 20) where people can get answers about the Healthy Community Fund and how it works. You can register on either the Southcoast Health or United Way websites. After that, groups will have until September 28 to submit letters of intent. An application process will follow.

Selection Process and Timeline for Grant Announcements

Organizers want to make clear, all groups large and small will have an equal chance to obtain funding. "We both have a history of supporting organizations of all different sizes," Hantman said. "We're also interested in collaborative projects. Everyone will have a fair chance."

Hantman said final decisions on projects to be funded will be made by a committee of volunteers, aided by one person from both the United Way and Southcoast Health to facilitate the process.

Grants from the Healthy Community Fund will be announced in January 2027.

"We look forward to having folks apply, be interested and collaborate," LeBert said. "We hope it will truly make a difference here on the SouthCoast."

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