The American Heart Association Social Impact Funds has received a $2 million grant from the Grubhub Community Fund to support food security, technology innovation, and economic resiliency in New York City and Chicago. The funding will support up to 12 organizations focused on addressing critical health and economic challenges in these communities.
Four initial organizations have already been selected for funding, each targeting unique aspects of community development. CareYaya, a North Carolina-based platform, aims to connect families with pre-health students for affordable in-home care. Farm Generations Corporation will leverage its GrownBy platform to support agricultural sustainability and direct consumer connections. Nectar will focus on food security through innovative delivery methods, while RiseKit will provide job training and economic empowerment tools.
Dr. Regina Benjamin, former U.S. Surgeon General and chair of the Social Impact Funds Impact Investment Committee, emphasized the importance of addressing social drivers of health. She noted that factors such as living conditions, work environments, and community resources can significantly impact life expectancy, often more substantially than genetic predispositions.
Since its launch in 2018, the Social Impact Funds have provided $21.5 million in support to over 130 local enterprises, positively impacting nearly 5 million people. The current grant from the Grubhub Community Fund represents a continued commitment to improving health equity and expanding access to critical resources in underserved urban communities.
By targeting organizations with innovative, evidence-based solutions, the American Heart Association aims to create lasting community impact and address systemic barriers to health and economic opportunities.
