Community Grants

While we take a leadership role in strengthening community health, we also support others in the area doing similar work. Each year, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center offers several grants ranging from roughly $10,000 to $25,000 to groups and organizations working on issues identified in our needs assessments.

Once a year, we issue an RFP (Request for Proposals) and have a rigorous evaluation process. Those receiving our grants report on the outcomes and impacts of their projects at the conclusion of their grant period.

Our strategy is to support evidence-informed programs and services that reduce or address the physical, social and/or environmental factors that impact health. Our most recent RFP focused on the following community needs identified in our implementation strategy:

  •  Built environment
  • Elder health
  • Housing
  • Mental health
  • Substance use

For more information about our RFP process, please contact Michelle Snyder, Community Relations Regional Manager, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center by phone at 781-744-7907 or email, [email protected].

CHNAs (Community Health Network Areas)

Lahey contributes annually to CHNA 15 and CHNA 13/14 through our DON (Determination of Need) agreement with the Department of Public Health for our Emergency Department project. The funding provided goes toward building capacity within community organizations to improve the health of the local communities.

In collaboration with CHNA 15, Lahey funding has provided grants ranging from $300 to $75,000 for organizations within the service area to address identified health issues in their community, such as resources for families experiencing domestic violence and best practices for youth mental health response. Community workshops focusing on implicit bias, suicide prevention and leveraging Youth Risk Behavior Survey results were also offered. To apply for grants with CHNA 15, please visit https://www.chna15.org/grants.

Lahey funding has also provided grants for CHNA 13/14 on the north shore. These grants went to fund projects focused on topics such as healthy eating, providing access to prescription education for seniors and resources for parents. To apply for grants with CHNA 13/14, please visit http://eccf.org/NSCHN.

The J.B. Thomas Lahey Foundation

The J.B. Thomas Lahey Foundation funds programs that support the health care needs of residents of Peabody, Massachusetts, and surrounding communities.

The Foundation was created through the generosity of Josiah B. Thomas and Louis Marques.

Thomas was a prominent citizen of Peabody. In 1898, he left $50,000 in his will to create a hospital in the town. Marques, who was later born at that hospital, left it substantial funds decades later. The hospital grew to become Lahey Medical Center, Peabody.

Who Is Eligible for Funding?

The Foundation welcomes applications that support the desires of Thomas and Marques to address health-related issues of Peabody-area residents.

Individuals and groups from Peabody are eligible to apply. The focus of your project must be to improve community health. The Foundation awards grants of up to $50,000. 

How to Apply

To apply, submit a letter of intent no more than two pages. We accept only one letter per applicant. You may submit your letter at any time.

 Be sure to include:

  •   A brief description of yourself and/or your organization
  •   Your contact information 

Pertaining to your proposed project, the letter should discuss:

  •   The nature of your work
  •   Your target population, including an estimate of the number of people you expect to serve
  •   The geographic area(s) that will benefit
  •   The total project cost
  •   The dollar amount requested

Please mail your completed letter to:

Executive Offices
Lahey Medical Center, Peabody
One Essex Center Drive
Peabody, MA 01960

When Are Grants Awarded? 

If your request is $25,000 or more, we may ask you to make a presentation to the Foundation Board before we make our funding decision.

We review all applications and make decisions within one month of your submission.

Projects We’ve Funded in the Past

In Fiscal Year 2018, the J.B. Thomas Lahey Foundation provided more than $90,000 in grant funding for the following programs:

  • No Child Goes Hungry in Peabody Corporation grant to provide meals and snacks to children on weekends and over holidays
  • The Citizens Inn of Peabody Children’s Enrichment Program
  • The City of Peabody Athletic Department’s purchase of five automatic external defibrillators
  • The City of Peabody’s bike path
  • The Peabody Little League first aid kits
  • The Torigian Family YMCA Enhance®Fitness Program for older adults

If you have questions, please call 978-538-4506.