In Greater Boston, the median net worth of a Hispanic household was $2,700, compared to a White household of $247,000. For a Black household, it was just $8¹. Study after study shows a direct correlation between economic inequality and health status. That’s why we take active steps to promote economic prosperity in communities of color.
Supplier Inclusion
Tufts Health Plan has a longstanding commitment to addressing economic inequality by choosing diverse vendors and suppliers.
Since the inception of our Supplier Inclusion Program in 2015, we have spent more than $80 million with LGBTQ+-, women-, disabled-, veteran- or minority-owned businesses. This includes our involvement in programs such as Pacesetters, a minority business enterprise program of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Tufts Health Plan was the first organization in Pacesetters to execute a contract with a participating vendor, DRB Facility Services, a Black-owned business, for our janitorial services.
We encourage diverse suppliers to register for our inclusion program.
Investing in communities hit hardest by the pandemic
- We teamed with Lawyers for Civil Rights to award $1,000 ($40,000 total) to 40 minority- women- and LGBTQ+-owned small businesses, such as beauty salons and home cleaning services, that were hard hit by COVID-19 throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
- Through an innovative grant program engaging employees, our Business Resource Groups and Foundation provided five diverse organizations with $10,000 in funding to support their needs during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Tufts Health Plan Foundation committed $1.9 million to support recovery and rebuilding efforts addressing the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut.
Providing training and career development opportunities
- We provide community job training through the Project Hope program, which is aimed at helping women and their families out of poverty, and have hired 17 women from the program. We’ve also hired 12 team members through our involvement in the YMCA Training Inc. program.
- Our Operations Up! program offers racially diverse employees at Tufts Health Plan a structured mentoring program to support their career growth and advancement. The program has a strong track record of promotions and upward mobility within the company.
Helping small businesses thrive
To promote economic prosperity, Tufts Health Plan hosts small business forums where business owners and nonprofit leaders learn how to grow their organizations. The forums cover topics such as capital for business growth, legal resources and health insurance options. We also collaborate with organizations in the region focused on small business initiatives, including:
Additionally, we’ve held Small Business Accelerator Forums in Roxbury and East Boston and in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. These well-attended events provide actionable information and learning opportunities for small business owners.