The “Funds at Five” is an in-depth retrospective that includes data showing where and how funds were invested across the state under the Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds.
The report includes stories and insights from awardees leading policy, systems, and environmental change; insights into the real change that can be achieved through community-centered, trust-based grantmaking; and lessons to strengthen future work.
Between 2020 and 2025, we’ve invested more than $45 million across Massachusetts through 82 awardees, including nonprofits, coalitions, municipalities, and agencies. These investments have supported community‑led efforts that address the root causes of health inequities—housing, aging, transportation, food systems, and safety—as well as the systems and policies that shape them. Urban, suburban, and rural communities alike have benefited from investments, prioritizing those historically excluded from traditional funding.
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative was an early awardee in the first cohort of the program, which helped launch the “Healthy Aging for All Guide” to support conversations around equity and inclusion as part of the age- and dementia friendly community movement.
Inside the report, you’ll find:
- A snapshot of where and how funds were invested across the Commonwealth
- Stories from awardees leading policy, systems, and environmental change
- Insights into what community‑centered, trust‑based grantmaking makes possible
- Lessons we’re carrying forward to strengthen future work
Throughout the report, one theme rises to the surface again and again: lasting change happens when communities closest to the challenges are trusted to lead the solutions. The awardees are not only delivering impact today but are reshaping systems for the future.
The next cohort of awardees will be announced this month.