Sturdy Health to Accept Proposals for Over $2.5 Million in Community Health Grant Funding

Attleboro, MA (January 7, 2026) – Sturdy Health today announced grant opportunities are available to support local nonprofit organizations and governmental entities in targeting environmental, behavioral, structural, and institutional barriers to health and wellness. The grants are part of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Emergency Department expansion and a statewide Determination of Need process where approximately $2.6 million will be invested back into the communities served by the health system.

Sturdy Health will award one large grant or up to eight smaller grants to projects running over the next 24 months and focusing on these communities in Massachusetts currently served by the health system: Attleboro, Foxborough, Mansfield, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.

The health system is seeking proposals that focus on one or more of the following priority populations:

• People who experience access barriers to primary care;
• People with unmet mental health and/or substance use disorder needs;
• People who are financially insecure;
• Older adults; and
• People who are housing insecure

“Through this grant opportunity, we are investing in solutions that are rooted in our communities and responsive to the challenges people are facing,” said Dr. Brian Patel, senior vice president of medical affairs and chief medical and quality officer at Sturdy Health. “We are looking to support projects that expand access to health and social care, strengthen prevention and chronic disease management, support safe and affordable housing, and reduce social isolation – especially among older adults, young people, and individuals with disabilities. This funding allows community partners to create a lasting impact.”

Collaborative proposals that expand reach or impact beyond what a single organization could achieve independently are strongly encouraged. Hospitals, academic medical centers, and other inpatient acute care facilities are not eligible to apply.

Proposals are due on Friday, January 30.  An informational webinar for interested applicants will be held on Friday, January 9. Additional information is available at www.sturdyhealth.org/2026funding.

About Sturdy Health

Sturdy Health is an independent, nonprofit health system comprised of the 142-bed acute care Sturdy Memorial Hospital, 25 primary and specialty care medical offices, and an Urgent Care Center dedicated to providing a broad range of health care services to the residents of communities in Southeastern Massachusetts and neighboring Rhode Island.  Sturdy’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of the people in our communities through kindness, compassion, and convenient access to the highest quality care.

In line with its mission to invest in the health and wellness of the community, Sturdy is currently implementing a multi-year master space plan.  The system is renovating and adding facilities that will transform the patient and care team member experience and ensure greater access to care.  Construction is underway on a $113 million modernization and expansion of the emergency department, which will increase capacity to 38,000 square feet, including 54 patient exam rooms, a dedicated 12-bed behavioral health unit, covered parking, and a new helipad.  Learn more at www.sturdyhealth.org.

For media inquiries, contact: 

Izzy Nickel, Ball Consulting Group, LLC
Phone: 617-243-9950; Email: izzy@ballcg.com