Neel Hajra: Chief Executive Officer
Brighton, MI – The Michigan Health Endowment Fund has appointed community health leader Neel Hajra as Chief Executive Officer. Hajra’s appointment comes as the Health Fund enters a new five-year strategic plan, which calls for a continued commitment to the health of Michigan residents, especially children and older adults, along with an expansion of grantmaking and non-grantmaking activities.
Most recently, Hajra was CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. During his tenure, he launched a scholarship program that doubled graduation rates for underserved students and established robust capacity-building and operating support for nonprofits in Washtenaw County. Previously, Hajra was President and CEO of Nonprofit Enterprise at Work. He began his professional career as a corporate attorney at Ford Motor Company.
Hajra has been recognized for his leadership through two national fellowships and a 2020 “CEO of the Year” award from the United Way of Washtenaw County. He is a Vice Chair for the Council of Michigan Foundations and the Washtenaw County Board of Health and a Trustee for Grantmakers for Effective Organizations.
Since 2014, the Health Fund has awarded more than $200 million in grants to Michigan nonprofits. Grantees include community-based organizations, government agencies, healthcare systems and research universities. As of 2020, it has granted more than $35 million annually. The Health Fund also conducts non-grantmaking activities, such as contracting with partners for research, evaluation and policy focused on its priority areas. It also hosts events, helps build organizations’ capacity, convenes collaborations and serves as thought partners and advisors.
