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Metrowest Health Foundation Inc. is a private corporation based in FRAMINGHAM, MA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1965. It holds total assets of $135.1M. Annual income is reported at $33.8M. Total assets have grown from $84.8M in 2010 to $108.1M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 14 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2023. Funding is distributed across 25 states, including Ashland, Bellingham, Dover. According to available records, Metrowest Health Foundation Inc. has made 510 grants totaling $13.6M, with a median grant of $9K. Annual giving has grown from $3.5M in 2021 to $10.1M in 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $473K, with an average award of $27K. The foundation has supported 124 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Virginia, which account for 95% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 11 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
MetroWest Health Foundation takes a multi-pronged approach to grantmaking built around five strategic investment areas: Health Equity, Basic Health Needs, Community Innovation, Leadership Development, and Information Sharing & Learning. The foundation distributes over $5 million annually through two main mechanisms: competitive RFP cycles (spring and fall) for project-based grants, and invitation-only multi-year operating support for core health service providers. Their 2026-2031 Strategic Plan emphasizes an ecosystem approach to community partnership, bolstering grantee partners with critical financial resources while also investing in research, data collection, convening, and technical assistance. The foundation prioritizes proposals aligned with their Community Health Assessment findings, and requires a concept paper and logic model before accepting full proposals — signaling a preference for evidence-based, outcomes-driven work. Geographic focus is strictly limited to 25 MetroWest Massachusetts communities, making this a deeply place-based funder.
From IRS 990 filings, MetroWest Health Foundation holds $125.8 million in total assets and distributed $3.7 million in grants in 2024 across 165 awards, with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $473,437. Grant volume has been consistent: 177 awards (2020), 124 (2021), 176 (2022), 160 (2023), and 165 (2024). The spring 2025 cycle alone awarded over $2.4 million to 29 organizations. Current priority areas include Equitable Access to Care (insurance enrollment, mental health, vaccine access), Health and Housing Stability (housing insecurity, services for older adults, families, immigrants), and Food Security (culturally responsive nutrition assistance). The Basic Health Needs initiative funds core service providers through invitation-only multi-year grants, covering primary care, behavioral health, oral health, medical-legal partnerships, and homelessness services. Phillip Gonzalez became President/CEO in February 2024, potentially influencing future strategic direction alongside the new 2026-2031 plan.
| Foundation | Assets | Annual Giving | Focus | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MetroWest Health Foundation | $125.8M | $3.7M (165 grants) | Community health equity, basic needs, innovation | 25 MetroWest MA towns |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield MA Foundation | $88M+ (cumulative giving) | Multi-million annually | Health access for marginalized populations | Statewide MA |
| Community Foundation for MetroWest | ~$30M | ~$2M | Broad community needs (education, arts, human services) | MetroWest MA region |
| Health Foundation of Central MA | ~$50M | ~$2M | Community health, wellness, access to care | Central MA |
| Tufts Health Plan Foundation | ~$20M | ~$1.5M | Health equity, healthy aging, food access | Eastern MA |
MetroWest Health Foundation stands out as one of the largest independent health care philanthropies in Massachusetts with a highly concentrated geographic focus. Its $125.8M asset base is substantial for a regional funder, and its per-community investment density is among the highest in the state. Unlike statewide funders like BCBS MA Foundation, MetroWest's deep local knowledge creates stronger relationships with grantees but limits portfolio diversification.
In Spring 2025, the foundation awarded over $2.4 million to 29 organizations including A Place To Turn, Advocates Inc., African Cultural Services, Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest, Brazilian American Center (BRACE), Community Legal Aid, Community Servings, DeNovo Center for Justice and Healing, Framingham Health Department, Health Care for All, Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), MetroWest Legal Services, MetroWest Worker Center, and Wellesley College's Wellesley Centers for Women. MAPS received $25,000 for FY2026 immigrant integration services in Framingham. The 2025 Deborah Blumer Community Health Leadership Award went to Anna Carollo Cross, Ed.D., recognized for leadership with Framingham Public Schools and the MetroWest Nonprofit Network. The foundation released its 2026-2031 Strategic Plan in December 2025, with a public webinar held March 18, 2026. The foundation transitioned to a new Blackbaud Grantmaking portal on September 1, 2025, consolidating applicant and grantee management into a single system.
To maximize your chances with MetroWest Health Foundation: (1) Start with the concept paper — this is your critical first gate. Clearly articulate how your project addresses one of their three current priority areas: Equitable Access to Care, Health and Housing Stability, or Food Security. Reference findings from the 2023 MetroWest Community Health Assessment to demonstrate alignment. (2) Build a strong logic model showing measurable health outcomes for MetroWest residents specifically — generic proposals that could apply anywhere will not advance past concept review. (3) Include Letters of Collaboration (not required but highly recommended) that show partnership with other MetroWest organizations and name specific contributions each collaborator will make. (4) Submit documents only in Word, Excel, or PDF format (no JPEG/JPG/TIF). Include your most recent fiscal year financial statements with balance sheet and income/expense statement, or audited financials if available. Municipal agencies are exempt from these requirements. (5) Contact Rebecca Donham at rdonham@mwhealth.org or 508-879-7625 x202 before applying — program officers can clarify fit and save both parties time. The foundation values equity-focused framing, so demonstrate how your project addresses health disparities affecting immigrant, refugee, or underserved populations in the MetroWest region.
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1. The foundation provided extensive leadership, research, data collection and program support to improve health and health care services to the 25 communities in the metrowest area of massachusetts. 2. The foundation supported a variety of training and technical assistance activities to improve health, wellness and address racial and ethnic inequality in the region.3. The foundation responded to the covid-19 pandemic by providing support to local public health entities and through data collection and dissemination.
Expenses: $456K
Supporting racial equity workgroups, workforce capacity building, pipeline diversity, and organizational equity education to ensure health services address systemic disparities.
Multi-year operating support for nonprofits providing primary care, behavioral health, oral health, insurance enrollment, medical-legal partnerships, homelessness services, and food insecurity programs.
Funding innovative approaches to community health challenges in the MetroWest region.
Building capacity of health and human service leaders to strengthen the regional health infrastructure.
Knowledge center providing publications, health data, community stories, and research to inform health policy and practice.
From IRS 990 filings, MetroWest Health Foundation holds $125.8 million in total assets and distributed $3.7 million in grants in 2024 across 165 awards, with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $473,437. Grant volume has been consistent: 177 awards (2020), 124 (2021), 176 (2022), 160 (2023), and 165 (2024). The spring 2025 cycle alone awarded over $2.4 million to 29 organizations. Current priority areas include Equitable Access to Care (insurance enrollment, mental health, vaccine access), .
Metrowest Health Foundation Inc. has distributed a total of $13.6M across 510 grants. The median grant size is $9K, with an average of $27K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $473K.
MetroWest Health Foundation takes a multi-pronged approach to grantmaking built around five strategic investment areas: Health Equity, Basic Health Needs, Community Innovation, Leadership Development, and Information Sharing & Learning. The foundation distributes over $5 million annually through two main mechanisms: competitive RFP cycles (spring and fall) for project-based grants, and invitation-only multi-year operating support for core health service providers. Their 2026-2031 Strategic Plan .
Metrowest Health Foundation Inc. is headquartered in FRAMINGHAM, MA. While based in MA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 11 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Cohen | PRESIDENT/ CEO | $279K | $60K | $340K |
| John Corron | TREASURER | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Claire Levesque | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Cheryl Aglio Girelli | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Lino Covarrubias | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Gillian Carcia | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Kathleen Herrman | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| William Iberg | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Mari Barrera | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| James Hicks | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Carol Gloff | CLERK | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| William Graham | CHAIR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Anna Carollo Cross | VICE CHAIR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Coleen Toronto | TRUSTEE (UNTIL 12/2022) | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$4.7M
Total Assets
$108.1M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$104M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
$421K
Net Investment Income
$2.1M
Distribution Amount
$4.9M
Total Grants
510
Total Giving
$13.6M
Average Grant
$27K
Median Grant
$9K
Unique Recipients
124
Most Common Grant
$8K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advocates IncHEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE HUB | Framingham, MA | $473K | 2022 |
| Education Development Center Inc2023 METROWEST ADOLESCENT HEALTH SURVEY | Waltham, MA | $293K | 2022 |
| Massachusetts Bay Community CollegeACCREDITED SIMULATION CENTER | Wellesley Hills, MA | $250K | 2022 |
| Edward M Kennedy Community Health Center IncMILFORD HEALTH CENTER | Worcester, MA | $250K | 2022 |
| A Place To TurnFOOD PANTRY RENOVATION | Natick, MA | $150K | 2022 |
| Hudson Health DepartmentMUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 RESPONSE | Hudson, MA | $125K | 2022 |
| Metrowest Nonprofit Network IncVOICES OF THE COMMUNITY (VTC) | Framingham, MA | $117K | 2022 |
| Family Promise MetrowestFAMILY PROMISE SHELTER RENOVATION | Natick, MA | $100K | 2022 |
| Health Care For AllMETROWEST COVID VACCINATION ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM | Boston, MA | $99K | 2022 |
| South Middlesex Opportunity Council IncBASIC HEALTH NEEDS - HOMELESSNESS | Framingham, MA | $75K | 2022 |
| Wayside Youth & Family Support Network IncBASIC HEALTH NEEDS - BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | Framingham, MA | $75K | 2022 |
| Metrowest Legal ServicesBASIC HEALTH NEEDS - SUPPORT SERVICES | Framingham, MA | $75K | 2022 |
| Framingham Public SchoolsINCREASING MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS | Framingham, MA | $50K | 2022 |
| Hopkinton Health DepartmentMUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 RESPONSE | Hopkinton, MA | $50K | 2022 |
| Sudbury Board Of HealthMUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 RESPONSE | Sudbury, MA | $50K | 2022 |
| Riverside Community CareBASIC HEALTH NEEDS - BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | Dedham, MA | $50K | 2022 |
| Wellesley Health DepartmentMUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 RESPONSE | Wellesley, MA | $50K | 2022 |
| Metrowest Free Medical ProgramBASIC HEALTH NEEDS - PRIMARY CARE | Sudbury, MA | $50K | 2022 |
| Northborough Health DepartmentMUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 RESPONSE | Northborough, MA | $50K | 2022 |
| Westborough Health DepartmentMUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 RESPONSE | Westborough, MA | $50K | 2022 |
| Lovin' Spoonfuls IncBASIC HEALTH NEEDS - FOOD INSECURITY | Newton, MA | $50K | 2022 |