Chicago, March 5, 2024 – Last year, 1 in 5 Chicago Metro area households and 1 in 4 households with children were considered food insecure. As a social determinant of health, food insecurity can lead to numerous health problems, such as heart disease or high blood pressure.
The American Heart Association has announced the addition of the Grubhub Fund to the Association’s Social Impact Funds in Chicago. This funding, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, aims to enable local organizations to address systemic social issues impacting food security and economic development with a focus on technology-driven solutions. The support from the Grubhub Community Fund will provide funding opportunities to social enterprises and nonprofits implementing innovative and scalable solutions to bring about meaningful change in local neighborhoods across Chicago and New York through 2025.
Brianna Morris, senior manager of community impact for Grubhub, expressed their commitment, stating, “We are excited to support the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds and elevate this work through the Grubhub Community Fund. Supporting organizations working to create meaningful change in local communities is a key part of our work, especially in our hometown of Chicago.”
Local Chicago organizations are encouraged to submit a formal expression of interest to the Association’s Social Impact Funds by April 25, 2024. The opportunity for New York area organizations to apply will open later this Spring. Applicants, whether non-profit or for-profit social enterprises at any business stage, are welcome. A virtual information session will be held on March 13, 2024, for community members and American Heart Association staff to discuss the fund and application process to ensure funds are directed towards addressing the greatest local needs.
Brittany Walsh, region senior vice president and executive director for the American Heart Association in Chicago, emphasized the importance of the Social Impact Funds in empowering local organizations to create scalable solutions that provide access to healthcare, healthy food, and other services to enhance community resiliency and overall health.
The American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds were established in Chicago in 2022 by the Oscar and Cathy Munoz Pave it Forward Foundation. The recent funding supported four Chicagoland organizations, including Care Advisors, Connect Care Hero, DistrictZero, and ProUnitas, which focus on various aspects of healthcare and social service provision.
Since its launch in 2018, the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds have supported over 130 local social enterprises across the country, facilitating initiatives to address critical community needs.