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 and 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 $74,000 was awarded to the following programs.

• Archways – Family Support Program ~ $7,500 to support the direct program activities and essential behind-the-scenes work that ensures Parenting Education programs run smoothly and effectively.
• Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center – Project Connect ~ $7,500 to support therapeutic riding and counseling sessions for parent-child participants.
• Concord School District – Concord Family Center ~  $20,000 to support critical parent education and developmentally appropriate play-based learning for young children at area sites.
• Family Promise of Greater Concord – Partners in Progress Diversion Program ~ $10,000 to support the Diversion & Prevention program.
• Granite VNA – Baby’s First Homecoming ~ $11,500 to support Baby’s First Homecoming visits for mothers and their infants to help them safely transition from Concord Hospital to home.
• Grapevine Family and Community Resource Center, Antrim ~ $10,000 to support Family Support Services for families of Hillsborough-Deering and surrounding towns.
• Merrimack Valley Day Care Services ~ $6,000 to support a part-time food pantry coordinator. 
• Waypoint – Diaper Pantry and Parent Workshops ~ $7,500 to support continued high-quality, impactful sessions that meet the needs of participating families.

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 to ensure a focused, collective approach in meeting the needs of area families and eliminate duplication of effort and 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 supports 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 recommend funding 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 of the most appropriate use of funds available after considering the health needs of families in the region.