The mission of The Health Foundation is to use our resources to improve the health of those who live or work in the Central Massachusetts region, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs.

As guiding principles, The Health Foundation will:

• Be cognizant of, and responsive to, the changing health needs of the region;
• Combine its charitable mission with a commitment to innovation;
• Hold prevention, education, provision of health services and research as tenets, with a recognition that these concepts are the cornerstone of improving health;
• Function primarily by awarding grants, though it may also from time to time initiate its own programs;
• Endeavor to leverage its resources as a catalyst for positive change; and
• Use the term “health” in its broadest sense, drawing upon the World Health Organization’s definition:

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” – The World Health Organization

Adoption of this broad definition of health resulted from an intentional interest in using the Foundation’s limited assets to achieve the greatest impact by addressing socioeconomic factors that affect health, rather than focusing on clinical interventions or healthcare delivery.