Harvard Pilgrim Foundation offers $3m in grants to regional nonprofits

Aimed at supporting organizations’ Covid-19 relief efforts

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation is urging New Hampshire nonprofits to apply for more than $3 million in grants to help in their Covid-19 relief efforts.

As part the $3 million distribution of funds, the foundation has committed resources to community-focused initiatives, including the engagement of select restaurants throughout the region to provide and deliver take-out meals to families in need and helping to put people back to work. Additionally, the resources are designed to help communities in facilitating access to Covid-19 testing. Besides New Hampshire, nonprofits in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts are also eligible.

“In this time of uncertainty and rapidly changing dynamics, it’s incredibly important that we provide support for our members and the medical community, as well as financial support to organizations that are assisting our neighbors in need,” said Michael Carson, president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

Carson said the $3 million is the foundation’s initial phase in providing community funding support “to meet the immediate needs individuals and small businesses are facing in our communities.”

Harvard Pilgrim Foundation’s support includes:

• Covid-19 Assistance Fund: Two expedited grant programs, totaling $1.5 million. A total of $500,000 will be awarded to local nonprofit organizations that assist older adults in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire impacted by Covid-19. A total of $1 million will be awarded to local nonprofit community service organizations helping people respond to the impact of Covid-19 in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts. Grants are available at up to $10,000 each. Organizations can review grant guidelines when they create an account at the following links:
• Local relief grants. A total of $1 million in grants is being awarded to nonprofits in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts to help provide food, transportation assistance and other support services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Community Spirit mini-grant. Harvard Pilgrim’s mini-grant program, which enables every Harvard Pilgrim Health Care employee to award $500 annually to the charity of their choice, has been extended so colleagues can support local nonprofits on the front lines of the crisis, meeting specific community needs related to Covid-19.

So far, $250,000 has been awarded to nonprofits in New Hampshire, including the New Hampshire Food Bank, Granite United Way and North Country Health Care Consortium.

For more information, visit harvardpilgrim.org/foundation.