Youngstown social impact entrepreneurs: Apply now for funding
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, October 9, 2024 – Heart disease has been recognized as the leading cause of death in Mahoning County for years.[1] While genetics can influence an individual’s health, social conditions — such as where people live, learn, work and play — can affect outcomes.[2]
To address these social drivers of health, the American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service, is opening its Social Impact Funds to local organizations and social enterprises in Youngstown, Ohio, for the first time. The Funds are designed to reduce the social and economic barriers that prevent longer, healthier lives in communities nationwide. This financing opportunity, supported by FirstEnergy Foundation, aims to buoy local entrepreneurs working at the community level to measurably increase equitable access to health and health care, economic empowerment and food security.
“The American Heart Association is working to support local social impact entrepreneurs who lack the resources and funding they need to grow,” said Lisa Wheeler-Cooper, executive director for the American Heart Association in Northeast Ohio. “With these Social Impact Funds, we are working to help community-based enterprises scale their businesses and build solutions that ensure better health outcomes for the people of Youngstown.”
Organizations serving the community of Youngstown are invited to submit formal expressions of interest by December 6 2024. Applicants can be at any business stage and can be nonprofit or for-profit social enterprises. A governance committee comprising key American Heart Association volunteers and staff executives review all funding requests. Selections are focused on these key criteria:
- demonstrated ability to drive change in under-resourced communities,
- quality of team and program,
- organic connection to the community itself, and
- ability to scale for maximum health impact.
Interested applicants are invited to a virtual “town hall” information session. Community members and American Heart Association staff will discuss local challenges and opportunities related to ensuring access to equitable health across Youngstown. AHA Ventures welcomes input and suggestions on how to focus these efforts.
The funding opportunity is supported by FirstEnergy Foundation’s multi-year “Investing with Purpose” initiative, which helps communities served by the organization’s electric companies. Youngstown is the fourth community to receive Social Impact Funds funding supported by FirstEnergy, after Reading, Pennsylvania, in 2021; Morgantown, West Virginia, in 2022; and Toledo, Ohio, earlier this year.
“Like the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds, FirstEnergy Foundation’s ‘Investing with Purpose’ initiative aims to address health, financial and educational barriers affecting communities,” said FirstEnergy Foundation President Lorna Wisham. “We are excited to continue our support of the Association’s Social Impact Funds to ensure more organizations and social enterprises in Youngstown have the resources they need to drive change and achieve a healthier community.”
Since launching in 2018, the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds have supported more than 130 for-profit and not-for-profit social enterprises across the country.
Additional Resources
- AHA Social Impact Funds aim to improve health disparities in under-resourced communities
- AHA President’s Advisory: Structural racism causes poor health, premature death from heart disease and stroke
- AHA’s 10 Commitments: advancing cardiovascular health for all including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality
- Environment, culture, other social determinants play big role in heart health | American Heart Association
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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 a century. During 2024 – our Centennial year – we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Chelsea Caldwell, chelsea.caldwell@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
