Fairlawn Foundation Fund

Important Update for Nonprofits!
As the Foundation seeks to respond to the COVID-19 emergency, we are placing some of our granting programs on temporary hold, and redirecting others to support crisis response. The 2020 Fairlawn Foundation Fund will NOT be accepting applications as originally announced. The Fund’s proceeds are being redirected to GWCF’s COVID-19 Response Fund.

We apologize for any confusion or disappointment this quick decision may cause, but as we all are experiencing, this is a very fast-moving crisis. If you have any questions or concerns about this decision, please be in touch with Jonathan Cohen, Vice President for Programs Strategy.

Fairlawn Foundation seeks to fund new and small burgeoning projects that innovatively address our community's Behavioral Health Needs, including both mental health and substance issues.

Areas of Interest

Since 2017, the Foundation has focused on innovative projects that address mental health needs in our community. Proposals selected for funding must have: a strong evidence base; specific outcomes and measurable indicators of progress and/or effectiveness; the potential to be scalable and/or replicable; and, a realistic long-term sustainability plans. 

We are especially interested in projects that:

• Increase the supply of qualified, culturally competent and appropriately credentialed mental health professionals and paraprofessionals.
• Close gaps in service, increase access to services and diminish stigma.
• Address relevant policy concerns, taking into account the need for public advocacy and/or education.
• Recognize the need for wrap-around services and incorporate them in program design and execution.
• Include the perspectives of persons with lived experience of the issues being addressed.
• Show evidence of significant collaboration; joint proposals are encouraged.

Eligibility

Applicants must be tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations as recognized by IRS code 501(c)(3) serving the greater Worcester area.

• Applications for significant projects (grant size $100K or more) will be considered.
• Projects that may require more than one year to complete will be considered. (Funding would be allocated on a year-to-year basis.)
• Fairlawn is not currently interested in funding capital projects.
• Fairlawn prefers to be a significant funder of projects it supports.

History

In 1921 members of the Worcester Swedish community established Fairlawn Hospital as a way to serve the growing health needs of the area. Its board of trustees transferred ownership of the hospital in 1991 to a for-profit rehabilitation corporation in response to changes taking place in the healthcare system. In 1992, proceeds from that transaction established the Fairlawn Foundation, an endowed fund administered by Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and one of the earliest health conversion foundations in Massachusetts. Since its inception, Fairlawn has awarded over $7 Million in grants to support capital needs, clinical services, and professional education.

Procedure

Applications received by the deadline will be reviewed by the Fairlawn Foundation grant committee.

Application Forms & Instructions

The application form is online. The first time an organization applies to the Foundation through our online application system, it creates an Organization Account to use for each application going forward. Please use the same account you have previously used, or create a new one if this your first time applying online. You may contact Foundation staff to find out if your organization already has an account in our system.

Contact: Jonathan Cohen

Telephone: 508-755-0980

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