Funding is part of join community investment by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation and Tufts Health Plan Foundation
ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) has announced that, in their first joint community investment, the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and Tufts Health Plan Foundation are giving $1 million to 42 organizations across the region to expand vaccine education, awareness, and outreach in communities of color.
ONE|NB has received a grant of $20,000 to promote vaccination efforts in underserved populations in the 02908 and 02909 areas. Nine Rhode Island organizations will receive a total of $175,000 in funding.
Just one month after Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan announced their combined organization, this investment is an immediate response to emerging needs in Black and Brown communities across the region disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
“We are at an inflection point in the pandemic,” said Thomas Croswell, chief executive officer of the combined organization of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, and a member of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation board. “As vaccine production and distribution are ramping up, important education efforts are taking place to address community concerns and we need to support them.”
Grant recommendations were informed by community organizations, public health leaders and other key stakeholders engaged in the vaccine rollout in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
“With the pandemic continuing to have a devastating impact on Black and Brown communities, this funding will give a boost to organizations across the region working tirelessly to support the needs of their community members and create awareness around the importance of the vaccine,” said Michael Carson, president of the combined organization of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, and chairman of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation board.
Grants will support a range of organizations—from statewide organizations to local community nonprofits. They include faith-based organizations, trusted Black/Latinx-led community nonprofits, and organizations with experience coordinating multilingual efforts.
“The community in the 02908 and 02909 areas was already disproportionally impacted by health inequities: the life expectancy in Olneyville is about nine years less than more socioeconomically advantaged neighborhoods in Providence. The pandemic exacerbated those disparities,” said Jennifer Hawkins, Executive Director of ONE Neighborhood Builders. “Education is a powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19, and this grant will help us reach areas of our community that have been the hardest hit by the pandemic.”
The full list of nonprofit organizations receiving grants is available online.
About ONE Neighborhood Builders
ONE Neighborhood Builders is a community development leader that cultivates healthy, vibrant, and safe communities. We achieve our mission by developing housing, addressing root causes of health disparities, engaging neighbors, and embracing innovation. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence, ONE|NB has developed 415 affordable apartments, 128 homeownership opportunities, and more than 57,500 square feet of commercial and community space.
ONE|NB created the first free community wireless network in Rhode Island; is the convenor of the Central Providence Health Equity Zone, which brings together residents, community organizations, health professionals, and others to address root causes of health disparities; and is the backbone organization of the Central Providence Opportunities Initiative, an $8 million pilot program to increase economic resiliency and opportunity in two central Providence zip codes.
About the combined organization of Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
The combination of Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care represents the coming together of two of New England’s most iconic nonprofit health care companies. Representing nearly 90 years of combined service to our members and the community, together we are building upon our diverse legacies and innovative collaboration by making it our purpose to guide and empower healthier lives for our members – no matter their age, health, race, identity, or income.
We strive to be a different kind of nonprofit health and wellbeing company, with a broad range of health plans, and innovative tools that make navigating health and wellbeing easier, guiding our members at every step of their health care journey to better health outcomes. We are committed to providing high-quality and affordable health care, improving the health and wellness of our members, and creating healthier communities throughout New England.
About Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Established in 2008, Tufts Health Plan Foundation supports the health and wellness of the diverse communities we serve. The Foundation has given more than $45 million to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island nonprofits that promote healthy aging. Tufts Health Plan Foundation funds programs that move communities toward implementing age-friendly policies and practices that are relevant, focus on older adults, and include them in community solutions. Visit tuftshealthplanfoundation.org for grant program information.
About the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
Created in 1980, the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation supports Harvard Pilgrim’s mission to improve the quality and value of health care for the people and communities we serve. The Harvard Pilgrim Foundation provides the tools, training and leadership to help build healthy communities throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. In 2020, the Harvard Pilgrim Foundation awarded more than $10.4 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in the region. Since its inception in 1980, the Foundation has awarded $165 million in funds and resources throughout the four states. For more information, please visit www.harvardpilgrim.org/foundation.
