Mental Health Nonprofits Eligible for Red Sox Foundation Grants

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With the COVID-19 pandemic straining the budgets of non-profit organizations, the Red Sox Foundation is once again providing grants to local non-profit organizations throughout New England working within the field of mental health.

The 7th Annual IMPACT Awards presented by the Ruderman Family Foundation, will give Red Sox fans the opportunity to nominate their favorite non-profits in all six New England states to receive support and funding.  Given the pandemic’s vast effect on mental health, the IMPACT Awards will again focus on organizations whose mission includes raising awareness and improving the mental health outcomes of young adults in their community.

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 A year ago, the Bloomfield-based Healing Meals Community Project and Mental Health Connecticut were selected from among the entries from Connecticut to receive IMPACT Award grants.

“As we look forward to supporting the recovery and rebirth of our local communities, the Red Sox Foundation is proud to continue working alongside the Ruderman Family Foundation to recognize organizations making deep and meaningful change in the mental health space,” said Bekah Salwasser, Executive Vice President of Social Impact for the Boston Red Sox and Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation.

Through a $125,000 grant from the Ruderman Family Foundation, the IMPACT Awards will provide twelve non-profits with either a first place $10,000 grant, second place $3,000 grant, or a third place $2,000 grant. Eligible organizations with the most online votes from fans will be the designated winners. There will be two non-profits selected from each New England state. 

Fans can nominate a non-profit in the mental health space. The nomination period is open through June 7. Finalists will be announced on June 18, at which time the public voting period will begin. Voting ends July 9 and will take place on www.redsox.com/IMPACT.  To be eligible, charities must be 501(c)(3) non-profits in good standing whose work is focused on improving the outcomes for those in their community through mental health services and/or awareness.

“More than a year into the COVID-19 crisis, there is a growing sense that brighter days are ahead from a physical health perspective, in the realm of containing the spread of the virus. Yet the often-overlooked mental health consequences of the pandemic will undoubtedly carry long-term implications across society, including the psychological impact on individuals who remain in isolation or those who are only beginning to transition back to a relatively normal lifestyle,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation.

“Amid these ongoing challenges, it is essential to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and to recognize the efforts of the organizations which are working tirelessly to carry out that mission in their communities,” Ruderman added.