Healthy Beginnings

Healthy Beginnings Endowment is a permanently restricted fund of Concord Hospital established by Dr. Oglesby Young as part of the 1996 Campaign for the Family. Overall, it has presented more than $1.1 million to community non-profits. 

Funds available through the endowment are distributed annually, in consonance with Concord Hospital’s spending policy, to provide programs, services, and support for initiatives that enhance maternal, women’s, and child health, as well as the health of families in the Capital region.  The endowment is meant to prove as a means to enhance the coordination of health programming and services for families in the community and may support initiatives of Concord Hospital, Granite VNA, Riverbend Community Mental Health, and other community not-for-profit organizations to meet the needs of parents in the Greater Concord area.

Through an application process and Advisory Committee recommendations, support totaling $72,000 was awarded to the following programs.

• Archways – The Parenting Education Program ~ $15,500 to support a part-time Parenting Education Coordinator.
• Concord School District – Concord Family Center ~ $15,000 to support Family Center programming at three sites, including the salary of a part-time early education/family health center coordinator, materials, and continued operation of centers providing critical parent education and developmentally appropriate play-based learning for young children.
• Family Promise of Greater Concord – Partners in Progress Diversion Program ~ $7,500 to help support the need for elevated case management hours to assist families BEFORE they become homeless.
• Granite VNA – Baby’s First Homecoming ~ $7,500 to support registered nurses who conduct “Baby’s First Homecoming” visits for mothers and infants to help them safely transition from Concord Hospital to home.
• Grapevine Family and Community Resource Center, Antrim ~ $10,500 to support a variety of programs, including Better Beginnings Parent-Child Programs: Parent-Child Playgroups; Case Management and Home Visiting; Positive Solutions for Families Program; Dad's Campfire Time; Monthly attendance at Women Infant and Children clinics. 
• Merrimack Valley Day Care Services ~ $6,000 to support a part-time Food Pantry Coordinator. 
• Waypoint – The Children’s Place ~ $10,000 to support basic needs through a diaper pantry and the opportunity to share programs available to support parenting education and social interaction for children through age-appropriate programs.

Funds are distributed to organizations and programs meeting the following criteria:

• Age demographic birth to age five;

• Concord Hospital’s primary service area;

• Qualified 501(c)3 or not-for-profit organization;

• The program specifically reflects and supports the parent/child unit.

Endowment Goals

• To provide funds annually to programs, services and projects that contribute most to positive child development and the health of the family.

• To encourage collaboration and coordination among community providers so as to ensure a focused, collective approach in meeting the needs of area families and eliminate duplication of effort and of expended funds.

• To involve care providers and community members in determining those programs most vital and deserving of support.

Funding Decisions

A volunteer advisory committee makes annual recommendations to the Concord Hospital Trust for its endorsement as to the most appropriate use of funds available after considering the health needs of families in the region, with preference given to programs where collaboration is evident. The Concord Hospital Trust Office of Philanthropy administers the fund and provides support to the advisory committee.

Funding Process

Interested departments or organizations should submit a completed online funding application. The Healthy Beginnings Endowment Committee will review applications and make funding recommendations to the Concord Hospital Trust Board of Trustees.  Recipients will be notified in early March and must complete and sign a “Terms of Award” document before funds are released. Funds not used for intended purposes shall be returned to the Healthy Beginnings Endowment.

Advisory Committee Members

Our volunteer Advisory Committee, comprised of medical professionals, Concord Hospital employees and community members, makes annual recommendations through our Board's Stewardship Committee for its approval as to the most appropriate use of funds available after considering the health needs of families in the region.