Grantmaking
With a legacy of nearly 70 years, HRiA has the expertise and capacity to meet the evolving needs of a broad array of funders. We support program ideation through evaluation and offer expert consultation throughout the grantmaking cycle.
Investments in Health
HRiA’s Grantmaking services meet today’s health challenges through investments in health. Our strategic advisory and grantmaking services direct funds where needed, spurring catalytic changes in biomedical research and community health. We guide foundations, government agencies, bank trusts, hospital institutions, and other philanthropic entities interested in grounding their work in equitable grantmaking practices.
Areas of Expertise
Biomedical Research Grantmaking
Accelerating biomedical research impact and innovation
We support foundations and trusts that invest in biomedical research by providing leading scientific guidance, facilitating expert review committees, and implementing grants management services. The Medical Foundation has been leading and developing high-impact biomedical research funding programs that accelerate medical discoveries and advance public health since 1957.
Community Health Grantmaking
Advancing the health of our communities
We support foundations, government agencies, hospital institutions, and bank trusts in implementing customized grant programs that focus data-informed priorities and evidence-based approaches to improve community and population health. Our grantmaking strategies focus on a range of issues that affect the health of people across the country, including racial equity, social determinants of health, and environmental and climate justice.
Grant Program Design & Management
Designing effective and equitable funding strategies
Using landscape assessments and strategic planning processes that recognize existing trends, we design investment strategies that operationalize health equity through tools like Request for Proposals, supplemental application materials, and tools for selecting awardees.
Proposal Review Facilitation & Fund Distribution
Selecting Awardees
We facilitate review committees of members with subject matter expertise and lived experience to provide objective recommendations for funding, and prepare award recommendations for funders. Once awardees are selected, we provide a range of supports and services that include administrative and financial oversight and responsibilities.
Applicant & Grantee Support
Providing comprehensive capacity building and support
We provide training and capacity building to enhance the knowledge, skills, and connections needed by awardees. These include learning communities and collaboratives, convenings, and opportunities for networking and skill development with subject matter experts and peers in the biomedical research and community health fields.
Impact Stories
See the results of our Grantmaking work.
Combatting racism through community-centered investments
Centuries of racism influenced the development of seemingly immovable barriers to health for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. A 2017 change to Massachusetts law made it possible to distribute dollars to...
Funding innovations in the treatment of human disease
It’s a long and hard road to become a scientist making discoveries that will ultimately impact human health and the treatment of disease. The Charles A. King Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports early-stage...
Leadership
Jennifer Lee, MPH
Vice President, Grantmaking
Kimberly Lezak, PhD
Managing Director, Biomedical Research Grantmaking
Alberte Altiné-Gibson, MPA
Managing Director, Racial Equity Grantmaking
Ana Maria Delarosa, M.A.
Managing Director of Healthy & Equitable Communities
Heidi Klein, MS
Managing Director, Healthy & Equitable Communities
Kristen Mueller, PhD
Chief Science Officer, Grantmaking
Think we can help?
We work with our clients to create custom grantmaking solutions that meet specific organizational and community needs. Even if you don’t see your exact needs listed in our services and offerings, we’d still love to hear from you.