NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Health announced today that it is now accepting grant proposals for its 2018 Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program, which will award up to $125,000 to not-for-profit organizations across the region.

“As a not-for-profit health system, we are driven by our mission of promoting the optimal health and well-being of individuals in the communities we serve. Safeguarding and improving the health of hundreds of thousands men, women and children in the South Coast region is a passion and commitment that we take very seriously,” said Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Health. “We work collaboratively with many community partners and we are happy to be able to support this work through our annual grant process.”

During its first two years, the program has awarded 53 community impact grants totaling more than $250,000.

Grant proposals must align with the health priority areas identified in Southcoast Health’s most recent Community Benefits Report. Past grantees represent a variety of programs that positively impact communities across the South Coast. These range from a program providing laundry services to homeless residents, to outreach and care coordination and support groups for residents impacted by the opioid crisis. Other projects promote wellness through programs that impact healthy eating and opportunities for physical activity.

“We look at optimal health from a broad definition and understand that many factors can impact health,” noted Kerry Mello, Community Benefits Manager for Southcoast Health. “These include the social determinants of health such as food security, housing, educational and work opportunities, and safe neighborhoods and outdoor spaces where there are opportunities for all to engage in healthy activities.”

The annual Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program is part of larger community benefits efforts which positively impacts hundreds of thousands of residents on the South Coast. In the most recently reported fiscal year 2016, Southcoast Health invested almost $20 million in community benefits initiatives, including charity care, hospital-based programs, collaboration with federally qualified community health centers, regional health and human service partnerships and support of community health programs.

The deadline for submission of a grant proposal is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. To obtain a copy of the application, contact Rachel Davis at davisr@southcoast.org or visit www.southcoast.org/communitybenefits.