WORCESTER—Two Worcester nonprofits are among 11 Massachusetts organizations sharing $125,000 in grants from Fallon Health to address food insecurity, support children in foster care and improve the health and well-being of vulnerable residents.
The Worcester-based health insurer announced its 2026 Community Impact Grant recipients on Oct. 26, directing funding toward programs that address some of the social and economic challenges affecting health, including access to nutritious food, family stability and services for older adults.
Among the recipients are CASA Project Worcester County, which advocates for children in foster care, and Rachel’s Table, a Worcester nonprofit that works to combat hunger and food waste.
CASA Project received funding for its Shine the Light Initiative, which aims to improve behavioral health supports for children in foster care. Rachel’s Table was awarded a grant for its Community Health Infrastructure Through Food, Connection, and Participation initiative.
Another recipient, MAB Community Services, will use its grant to support older adults experiencing vision loss in Western Massachusetts and Worcester County.
The grants are part of Fallon Health’s broader effort to address social factors that influence health, particularly among residents facing economic hardship, food insecurity or barriers to essential services.
“Strong communities depend on strong local organizations that understand and respond to the needs of the people they serve,” Manny Lopes, president and CEO of Fallon Health, said in the announcement. “We’re proud to support these organizations and the meaningful work they’re doing to help people across Massachusetts live healthier lives.”
Other grant recipients include Growing Places, which will receive support for its Stork Delivery Program; Berkshire Grown, for its Farm to Food Access initiative; and Gaining Ground, for a program providing nutritious food to people experiencing hunger.
The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless received funding for its Casa Project-Homeless to Home Initiative, while AgeSpan was awarded a grant for its Culturally and Medically Tailored Meals on Wheels program.
Programs serving children and families also received support. Rise Above Foundation was awarded funding to create positive experiences for youth in foster care, while the YMCA of the North Shore received a grant for its Haverhill YMCA Positive Alternative to School Suspension program.
The Railroad Street Youth Project was selected for its South Berkshire Community Health Coalition’s Parent and Community Education Connection initiative.
Fallon Health did not disclose individual grant amounts or specify how much of the $125,000 will support programs in Worcester County.
Established in 2004, the Community Impact Grant program has awarded more than $2.6 million to Massachusetts nonprofits addressing social factors that affect health, according to the insurer.
Founded in Worcester in 1977, Fallon Health provides government-sponsored health insurance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, known as PACE.
The latest awards continue the company’s support for community organizations working to address needs that extend beyond traditional medical care, from helping families put food on the table to ensuring children in foster care and older adults have access to essential services.
More information about the program is available at fallonhealth.org/community.
