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New Bedford Community Health Receives $1.5 Million Lead Gift from The Manton Foundation to Expand Access to Primary Care
This transformational gift marks a major milestone in NBCH’s $6.1 million campaign, helping the organization surpass the halfway mark toward its fundraising goal. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026.
The new primary care site will integrate seamlessly with NBCH’s urgent care, behavioral health, pharmacy, and dental services, creating a comprehensive care campus in the heart of downtown New Bedford.
“We are honored to partner with New Bedford Community Health on this important project,” said Julia Krapf, Trustee at The Manton Foundation. “Access to quality primary care is the cornerstone of healthier communities, and we are proud to support an initiative that will deliver lasting impact for families across Greater New Bedford.”
Expanding Primary Care Access in Downtown New Bedford
For more than 40 years, New Bedford Community Health has been the region’s trusted provider of integrated, culturally competent, and affordable care, regardless of patients’ ability to pay. The expansion comes at a pivotal time, of growing need and uncertainty for community health centers, as changes in federal and state Medicaid funding put added pressure on safety-net providers.
Cheryl Bartlett, CEO of NBCH, emphasized the broader significance of the gift. "The Manton Foundation has been a steadfast partner to NBCH, and this latest investment reflects a deep and shared commitment to health equity. With their support, we’ll be able to bring high-quality, compassionate care to thousands more residents and do so in a space that reflects the dignity every patient deserves."
Revitalizing Downtown New Bedford Through Community Health
In addition to expanding access, the project will revitalize a prominent corner in downtown New Bedford by transforming a long-vacant building and updating the façade to create a welcoming health campus that unifies NBCH’s many services under one roof.
Learn More
To support NBCH’s capital campaign or learn more about the expansion project, visit www.gnbchc.org or contact Rhonda Veugen at rhondaveugen@gnbchc.org.
About New Bedford Community Health
New Bedford Community Health (NBCH) is a nonprofit, multicultural community health center in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts. NBCH provides comprehensive health care for the whole family, including primary care, urgent care, dental services, behavioral health care, and medical specialties. In addition to clinical services, NBCH offers financial wellness and community support programs.
For more than four decades, NBCH has remained committed to equitable, patient-centered, community-focused care for all residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, regardless of their ability to pay.