NC, January 5, 2021 — The American Heart Association and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) are pleased to announce 21 community health mini-grant awardees, totaling nearly $100,000. These community organizations and companies will be working to improve heart health among North Carolinians who are most at risk for cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Mini-grant projects include focusing on access to food, healthcare and transportation, and promoting heart health behaviors for chronic disease prevention and blood pressure control. The mini-grants will benefit underserved youth, women, families, faith-based and Hispanic/Latino communities.
Community partners in the Triangle (Wake, Durham, and Orange counties), Triad (Guilford and Forsyth counties), and Charlotte (Mecklenburg, Gaston, and Union counties) were encouraged to apply for mini-grants ranging from $2,500 - $10,000 to support heart healthy policies and environments, and programs providing support for community coronavirus relief. The American Heart Association received 166 applications totaling over $1.2 million. The applications were vetted through American Heart Association professionals and evaluated on specific criteria meeting community needs in underserved populations. Grantees were asked to show how their applications would reach under-resourced communities and were linked to sustainable policy and systems changes.
“It is very exciting to continue our efforts with Blue Cross NC to address health equity issues in our communities and to offer community mini-grants to bolster existing programs or inspire new programs throughout North Carolina,” shared Annie Thornhill, vice president of community impact for the American Heart Association, Southeast. “Together we are working to build sustainable change in the health of our communities.”
Community health mini-grant awardees include:
Charlotte:
- Camino Community Center
- Hope Street Food Pantry
- McLeod Addictive Disease Center, Inc.
- Presbyterian Hospital Foundation and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Foundation
Raleigh-Durham:
- Alliance Medical Ministry
- Bike Durham
- Cary Downtown Farmers Market
- Feed My Sheep of Durham, North Carolina, Inc.
- Lincoln Community Health Center, Inc.
- YMCA of the Triangle Area – Durham YMCA
Triad:
- Greensboro Farmers Market
- Guilford Community Care Network
- Guilford County Department of Health & Human Services – Public
- Heated Seminars, LLC Health Education Consultants
- H.O.P.E. of Winston-Salem
- Magnolia House Foundation, Inc.
- NC A&T State University/CAES Student and Community Farm
- Neighborhood Markets, Inc.
- New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church
- Sigma Nu Fraternity Incorporated
- The Twenty Inc.
This is the second round of community health mini-grants awarded through the American Heart Association and Blue Cross NC initiative with 27 community health mini-grants awarded for $100,000 in Spring of 2020.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities’ greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 3.8 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.