Southcoast Health and United Way of Greater New Bedford are accepting Letters of Interest for the 2026 Healthy Community Partnership Fund through September 28, 2026. The fund supports nonprofit and public-entity programs that improve health and well-being across the South Coast region of Massachusetts and align with priorities identified in the Southcoast Health Alliance 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment.
Funding
Applicants may request $10,000 to $25,000 for up to one year of funding. Eligible costs may include personnel, program supplies and materials, and other reasonable direct and indirect costs necessary for program success. Capital projects, building projects and major equipment purchases are not eligible.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and public entities such as municipalities, schools and public agencies. Programs must benefit residents in the Southcoast Health and/or United Way of Greater New Bedford service areas in Southeastern Massachusetts. Collaborative proposals are welcome, but one organization must serve as the lead applicant or fiscal agent.
Program priorities
Proposals must meaningfully align with at least one priority from the Southcoast Health Alliance 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment. Published priority areas include access to care, behavioral health, chronic disease, maternal and child health, food access and security, housing, built environment, socioeconomic factors and overall health. The fund prioritizes programs with measurable outcomes, demonstrated organizational capacity and a credible sustainability plan.
Atlas assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 88/100. This is a verified, currently open local health and wellness opportunity with broad nonprofit and public-entity eligibility, clear health-access priorities and a straightforward LOI-first process.
N9+ Direct Vendor Fit: 20/100, conditional Path B/C. The fund expressly excludes major equipment purchases. A limited N9+ role should not be assumed merely because health access is a priority; any technology expense would need to qualify as a reasonable program supply or other allowable direct cost and be integral to an eligible applicant’s program.
QC Healthcare Fit: 20/100, conditional Path B/C. Program-delivery costs may be eligible, but the published guidance does not specifically establish third-party physician coverage as an allowable cost. Any QC role would require applicant-specific confirmation and must remain subordinate to the funded community-health program.
Application process
The first step is a Letter of Interest. Organizations selected after LOI review will be invited to submit a full Request for Proposal in mid-October. The LOI is limited to two pages and should describe the program, explain alignment with one or more CHNA priorities, and identify the outcomes and performance indicators the organization will measure.
Deadline
Letters of Interest are accepted from August 17 through September 28, 2026. The public program page does not separately state a clock-time cutoff, so applicants should submit before the final day whenever possible.
Official source: United Way of Greater New Bedford — Healthy Community Fund.