Determination of Need Funding Program

UMass Memorial Medical Center works with and reports to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The Determination of Need (DoN) law and regulation governs Health Care Facilities as that term is defined in M.G.L. c 111, § 25B. Under Massachusetts law M.G.L. c. 111, §§ 25C and 51, proposals for a Substantial Capital Expenditure, Substantial Change in Services and Original Licensure as well as many Transfers of Ownership and Changes in Site for Health Care Facilities must be reviewed and approved under the DoN Regulatory scheme.

The purpose and objective of the DoN program is to encourage competition with a public health focus; to promote population health; to support the development of innovative health delivery methods and population health strategies within the health care delivery system; and, to ensure that resources will be made reasonably and equitably available to every person within the Commonwealth at the lowest reasonable aggregate cost. To that end, health care organizations must file a DoN application with DPH when capital improvement projects are planned for its facilities. New capital improvement projects (new construction and purchases) must be approved by the state’s Public Health Council, and five percent of expenses must go to community health. MDPH has developed requirements and has issued guidelines on how these funds are distributed and monitored.

The Medical Center is pleased to announce a DoN Funding opportunity via a Request for Proposal process for local non-profit organizations to fund initiatives, programs, and projects for the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment priority areas selected by the Medical Center DoN Committee:

• Housing
• Mental Health
• Healthcare & Public Systems Navigation.

The DoN funds originated from the North Pavilion project which will improve acute inpatient care and capacity with the addition of 91 medical-surgical beds. The 2022 North Pavilion Determination of Need (DoN)/Community Health Initiative (CHI) Request for Proposals (2024-2027) covers full eligibility requirements, details and examples of upstream, midstream and downstream priority areas.

Total amount to be distributed: $4,886,756.37

Funding Tracks: Two-Tiered Funding Structure

• Three-Year Projects
  • Max amount: $150,000 - $250,000 per year
• One-Year Projects
  • Max amount: $150,000

Request for Proposal Application Opens: November 15, 2023

Application Deadline: January 12, 2024

For questions regarding this opportunity, please contact:

UMass Memorial Medical Center
Office of Community Benefits
UMMMCDoNRFP@umassmemorial.org

Apply