Press Release: Kresge Foundation awards grant to Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and Live Well Springfield to combat climate change, improve community health

December 5, 2025

Springfield, MA – The Kresge Foundation has awarded the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, as convener of the Live Well Springfield coalition, a grant of $225,000 per year for three years to address climate change and protect people’s health in communities disproportionately affected by extreme heat, flooding, air and water pollution, and chronic and infectious disease. 


The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is one of 32 organizations nationwide receiving grant funding as part of The Kresge Foundation’s Climate Change, Health and Equity initiative. Live Well Springfield partners on the grant include Arise for Social Justice, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Way Finders, and Springfield Climate Justice Coalition. With this funding, the Live Well Springfield Climate Change, Health, and Equity Committee (CCHE) will expand its efforts to build a healthier, more resilient Springfield. 


The Live Well Springfield CCHE Committee will: 

  • Work with the City of Springfield to build awareness and adoption of the Community Choice Power Supply Program, which uses collective buying power to secure stable, affordable electricity from cleaner, renewable sources.  Live Well Springfield successfully advocated for the City to adopt this program, with support from a previous Kresge grant. 
  • Help update the city’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, ensuring it reflects current challenges and community needs. 
  • Explore housing development policies that protect residents from extreme heat. 
  • Continue to advance statewide advocacy against polluting biomass facilities. 
  • Host community workshops on climate resilience. 


“Kresge’s continued investment in Springfield is vital to sustaining our momentum in advancing climate justice. We feel proud and empowered to stand tall among the many major cities that were also selected for this honor,” said Samantha Hamilton, Director of Coalition Building and Community Engagement at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. 


“Collaboration is critical to address the impacts of climate change,” said Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. “These Kresge funds will help us advance strategies originally planned with the city and other partners before the EPA unexpectedly terminated the $20 million Community Change grant. We are so grateful that private philanthropy continues to step up and support local and regional climate mitigation work.” 


“The human health impacts of climate change are profound, and while climate change affects us all, it hits some communities harder than others. The pollution that creates dangerous heat waves and severe storms causes the most harm in communities already experiencing persistent health inequities, like lack of access to safe housing and quality health care, as well as chronic illnesses and respiratory disease, said Shamar Bibbins, Kresge Environment Program managing director. “Equitable solutions must be driven by the communities most affected, and doing so in partnership with trusted health practitioners and institutions can amplify local innovations and build broader momentum for change.” 


“Long-term change in cities requires strong and sustained cross-sector partnerships. Working together, we ensure that all of us, no matter who we are or where we live, have the opportunity to be healthy and to thrive. Climate action is fundamentally a public health imperative—offering transformative opportunities to reduce mental health burdens, chronic diseases, and infectious disease spread while advancing health equity for all," said Monica Valdes Lupi, Kresge Health Program managing director. 


For more information on Kresge's Climate Change, Health & Equity initiative, click here. 


ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS 

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts supports communities in their efforts to become measurably healthier and more equitable through community engagement, convening collaborative partnerships, communications, data analysis, research and evaluation, and policy advocacy. We are committed to continuous learning, fostering collaboration, and amplifying the voices of those we serve. For more information, visit PublicHealthWM.org 



### 

share this

Related Articles

Woven Together: A Community Quilt Traveling Across Springfield

October 23, 2026
The Woven Together Community Quilt Roadshow celebrates the stories, cultures, identities, and experiences that connect generations across Springfield. Created through the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts' Intergenerational Social Connections Initiative, in partnership with the Springfield Cultural Partnership, the quilt brings together the creativity and perspectives of youth and older adults to highlight the importance of community, belonging, and connection.  Each quilt square tells a unique story, reflecting the diverse backgrounds, traditions, and experiences of Springfield residents. Together, these individual pieces form a collective representation of the community, demonstrating how different generations and perspectives can come together to create something meaningful. The Community Quilt Roadshow officially began at the Raymond Jordan Senior Center during Good Neighbor Week, marking the first stop on its journey throughout the city. The quilt will continue traveling to community spaces and public locations across Springfield, creating opportunities for more residents to experience the artwork, reflect on the stories it represents, and celebrate the connections that bring the community together. Through this traveling display, the Woven Together Community Quilt serves as a reminder that every story matters and that our community grows stronger when generations come together. Want to know where the quilt is headed next? Sign up for the Live Well Springfield newsletter or follow them on Facebook for updates on upcoming locations and opportunities to see the quilt in person.

Health Insurance Changes: What Small Businesses Need to Know Webinar

October 13, 2026
Recent health insurance policy changes may affect individuals, families, and small businesses. Join experts from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, Health Care For All, Revitalize CDC, and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy to learn what's changing, who may be impacted, and what resources are available across Massachusetts. Bring your questions and join the discussion. Featured Speakers: Nicole Garrity, Healthcare for All Coordinator, Revitalize Community Development Corporation Jennifer Lemmerman, Executive Director, Health Care for All Jessica Gottsegen, Senior Policy and Research Analyst, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation Katherine Howitt, Vice President of Policy and Research, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation Moderator Tracye Whitfield, Executive Director, Coalition for an Equitable Economy Host: Jessica Collins, Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts Learn more and Register

Tobacco and Vaping Cessation Resources for Organizations

September 17, 2026
The Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program offers free resources that connect individuals to quit coaching, personalized quit plans, medication support, and the Massachusetts Quitline. These services are available for both tobacco users and individuals looking to quit vaping, including young adults. To help organizations promote these resources, the state provides a social media toolkit with ready-made graphics, videos, and messaging that can be incorporated into newsletters, social media campaigns, websites, and community outreach efforts. Through the Capacity Building for Racial Equity in Tobacco project, PHIWM partnered with Springfield Cultural Partnership’s Trust Transfer Project, which commissioned local artists to create posters that promote hope, wellness, and tobacco cessation through culturally relevant artwork. These posters can be downloaded and displayed to increase awareness and connect individuals with available support. Explore the resources: Take the first step toward a nicotine-free life Quit vaping Social media toolkit Trust Transfer Project Collaboration posters