health equity
LSC Impact & Programs Health Equity
INCOME & HEALTH ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED.
In launching this Health Equity initiative, Life Science Cares Boston affirms our belief that:
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- Big thinking, creativity, community, empathy and an abundance of boundless love are required to tackle the multifaceted, pernicious nature of poverty.
- Everyone should be afforded an equal opportunity to be healthy and well. No one should be disadvantaged from this due to their socioeconomic status and social circumstance. Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDH), which are often directly linked to income, is fundamental for reducing longstanding inequities and improving health, as SDH can be more important than healthcare or lifestyle choices in influencing one’s health.
- Racial equity is foundational for not only social justice, but for reducing economic disparities. Based on decades of data showing medical racism and other systemic inequities have very real consequences on the health of communities of color, it is imperative that we conduct this grantmaking through a lens of racial justice.
- Equipped with knowledge, passion, and resources, our industry is the right one to help us achieve our goal of a more equitable, compassionate, and healthy Boston.
CO-INVESTMENT MODEL
In order to invest as much financial support as possible into impactful, community-based organizations, we are actively seeking partners to co-invest in this effort.
We thank K2 HealthVentures for their support as a $500,000 seed funder and look forward to welcoming more partners to the table.
Specifically, we are looking for a commitment of a minimum of $50,000 over 2 years ($25,000/year). We are asking that pledges to this Initiative are made by September 1, 2024 so we can finalize the portfolio in time for grant payouts by end of the year.
This level of support allows us to give more deeply to the cohort of partners and/or add more partners to the cohort–both of which are meaningful opportunities to engage more deeply in this work. Co-investors are invited to join us as thought partners throughout the grantmaking process and duration of the grants.
Please reach out to Emily Stanford, LSC Boston Director of Development at [email protected] and Kelly Brawn, Head of Programs and Community Engagement at [email protected] for more information on how you can get involved as an individual or corporate investor in the Health Equity portfolio.
We seek to fund 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the cities where we operate with the following characteristics:
A clear mission and strong vision for addressing poverty and the challenges it imposes on residents in Greater Boston.
Innovative and impactful programming clearly tied to one of the LSC Boston Health Equity Areas of Focus.
Strong, committed leadership, and a collaborative team culture.
Existing evaluation procedures or willingness to evaluate programs and measure outcomes.
Unwavering commitment to, and deep knowledge of, the population served
A commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice as represented in leadership, internal culture, and engagement with the population receiving services.
A willingness to be transparent about what challenges may exist and how LSC Boston might help.
A desire and commitment to build a creative partnership with LSC Boston.
FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:
Please see Life Science Cares Boston Guidelines: 2024 Application for Health Equity Grant for complete information on eligibility and how to apply.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a grant, your organization must be a 501(c)3 public charity or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit.
An eligible organization must primarily be serving people living in poverty in Greater Boston. We understand “Greater Boston” to include communities within the I-95 corridor, but may make exceptions a bit beyond this geographical catchment at our discretion.
An eligible organization must be operated and organized so that it does not discriminate in the hiring of staff or the provision of services on the basis of race, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES:
June 25, 11:59 PM: Inquiry Form submission period closes
August 6, 11:59 PM: Deadline for organizations to submit a full application. We graciously encourage applicants to submit their requests in advance of this deadline when possible.
October 2, 2024: Scoping Meetings and any needed follow up must be completed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the grant range?
$15,000-$75,000 per year. Grants will be awarded in 2-year increments and will provide General Operation support.
What are reporting expectations?
Life Science Cares Boston strives to operate in true, respect-based partnerships with our grantees. Awards will be provided as unrestricted, General Operating support. In applications and subsequent reports, however, we will ask organizations to focus their narratives and intended outcomes on a single program (new or ongoing), coherent group of programs that can be measured together succinctly, organizational capacity building need, or other scoped funding request.
We anticipate one annual conversation to discuss successes and challenges and one written report. Reports will reflect the outcomes outlined in the application or those that have been agreed upon via subsequent conversations with LSC Boston. While awards will be provided as General Operating, in the application and in subsequent asset-based reports, we will ask organizations to focus their narratives and intended outcomes on a single program (new or ongoing), coherent group of programs that can be measured together succinctly, organizational capacity building need, or other scoped funding request. We do not intend to ask for information on the allocation of grant dollars within your organization. LSC Boston understands that unexpected, significant changes may occur during the duration of a grant, and we encourage transparency with these decisions. If at any point intended outcomes need to be changed or updated, we encourage a collaborative process to develop outcomes that align with grantee’s organizational goals and current realities.
Do I need to be nominated to apply?
No, this is an open call for Inquiry Forms. We encourage you to share this call with any organization that may be a fit.
My organization is located in Central MA? Should I still apply?
No. At this time, we can only accept applications from the Greater Boston region.
My organization is looking for funding for an innovative, pilot program that aligns with a Health Equity Area of Focus. Can we apply?
Yes. We will encourage organizations to apply for not only established programs but also innovative pilots.
I’ve heard the team at LSC Boston is really friendly. Can I set up a time to discuss this initiative before applying?
You’re right–we are! However, at this time we are unable to field individual requests for conversation. We look forward to meeting those organizations that advance to a Scoping Meeting.
We will provide feedback to organizations that apply and are not funded after the cycle is complete.
I read the Guidelines, but think my organization would be a better fit for your Partnerships Portfolio. Should I still send an Inquiry Form, so you can hear about all the great things we’re doing?
No. While we love learning about organizations that are new to us, we kindly ask that you reach out to [email protected] via email and let her know why you think your organization would align with our Partnerships Portfolio. We will start the grantmaking process for that portfolio in early 2025.
WOW! This is really impressive work. Is there a way for my family foundation to get involved as an investor?
Yes. We’re actively looking for individuals, foundations and companies to join us in our effort to create a healthier Boston. Specifically, we are looking for a commitment of a minimum of $50,000 over 2 years ($25,000/year). We are asking that pledges to this Initiative are made by September 1, 2024 so we can finalize the portfolio in time for grant payouts by end of the year. Please reach out to Emily Stanford, LSC Boston Director of Development, at [email protected] and Kelly Brawn, Head of Programs and Community Engagement at [email protected].