Background:

The Atrius Health Equity Foundation aims to close the gap in life expectancy across neighborhoods in Eastern Massachusetts. These gaps are persistent and unacceptable, and reflect policies, rooted in systemic racism, that have perpetuated inequities for generations.

In this inaugural request for proposals (RFP), we focus on the potential for youth (ages 12-24) to improve the health of their communities, by serving as family care navigators, community health educators, future health care professionals, and advocates for policy and systems change. We expect the submitted proposals will create programs that address the intertwined roles of economic support and opportunity, education, health care workforce capacity and public health to change the trajectory of a community’s health, as explained in the RFP.

We seek proposals from non-profit organizations deeply connected to, and situated in, the communities they serve, with demonstrated commitment to health career pathway development and youth development to implement youth programs in Eastern Massachusetts communities with low life expectancy. We especially invite community health centers and their collaborating community-based organizations to apply, recognizing their important role as hubs for community health.

Eligibility:

Applicants should be organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. To be eligible for funding, organizations must be headquartered in and serve a community of Eastern Massachusetts (defined as Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties). Additionally, organizations must be based in (i.e. have a physical presence in) and serving a community (city / town or Boston neighborhood) with low life expectancy. Please see the RFP Appendix with data identifying communities with low life expectancy based on our review of publicly available data. Applicants whose communities are not reflected in this data may still apply, and should provide supporting information as to why they should be considered a community with low life expectancy. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact us at grants@atriusfoundation.org.

How to Apply:

There are two phases in the proposal review process:

• Phase 1: Letter of Inquiry: Please carefully review the RFP and complete the LOI Template and Budget Template. Applications are closed.

• Phase 2: Full Proposals. Preliminarily selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

During the LOI and application process applicants may send questions to grants@atriusfoundation.org. We will publish questions and our responses on our website. Please consult our website and FAQs prior to sending an inquiry as the answers to many questions may be found there.

Key Dates:

• RFP process opened: January 8, 2024

• Informational webinar: January 17, 2024 at 10:00 - 11:00 AM ET. Please see our webinar slides and recording.

• Office hours: January 30, 2024 at 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET.

• Call for Community Reviewers: February 9, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET - Closed.

• LOIs due: February 16, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET - Closed.

• Finalists selected (estimated): End of March 2024

• Final applications due (estimated): May 2024

• Final awards announced (estimated): June 2024