Social Impact Funds

The American Heart Association's Social Impact Funds aim to address social challenges and improve health outcomes by funding organizations that tackle social drivers of health. The initiative seeks to overcome barriers to high-quality, accessible healthcare, enhance food security, and promote economic empowerment. The fund is inspired by the vision of Bernard J. Tyson and focuses on funding organizations led by individuals with lived experiences relevant to these social challenges. The Social Impact Funds provide critical resources to traditionally overlooked and underfunded organizations, both for-profit and nonprofit. The initiative supports solutions that improve healthcare access, increase food security through sustainable farming and mobile markets, and promote economic stability via job creation and financial literacy programs. The fund's model combines financing with capacity-building support to ensure the viability, scalability, and sustainability of funded organizations. To date, over $45 million has been committed to the Social Impact Funds, supporting more than 155 organizations across the United States. The funds are entirely deployed to under-resourced companies and programs, with the aim of recycling any potential financial returns back into the program to further enhance community health and opportunity. Eligibility for funding is open to both nonprofit and for-profit organizations that address the social determinants of health. The application process involves demonstrating how the organization’s work aligns with the fund's objectives of improving healthcare access, food security, and economic empowerment. Specific submission requirements, application questions, and evaluation criteria are not detailed in the provided text. The American Heart Association's Social Impact Funds do not specify a timeline or deadlines for application submission in the provided text. Interested organizations are encouraged to stay informed about news, events, and opportunities by joining the American Heart Association Ventures mailing list. For further inquiries, the American Heart Association’s National Center can be contacted at 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX, or via customer service at 1-800-AHA-USA-1. The Social Impact Funds represent a strategic effort by the American Heart Association to leverage its brand, scientific expertise, and grassroots network to map funding to community needs. By supporting organizations that address the social drivers of health, the initiative aims to create a more equitable health future for all, ensuring that where one lives does not determine their health outcomes.