Social Impact Fund
The American Heart Association is investing in local entrepreneurs and organizations that are breaking down the social and economic barriers to health equity.
![AHA Social Impact Funds Social Enterprise: Forty Acres Fresh Market](https://www.heart.org/-/media/Social-Impact-Fund/sif-forty-acres.jpg?h=500&iar=0&mw=960&w=900&hash=B49116C1BBCCCB66FE36E65A25C71BE1)
Breaking Down Barriers to Change
The American Heart Association understands that policies and institutions are at the root of inequities across all wellness indicators—whether by race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation or ability. We strive to remove systemic barriers that impact access to affordable housing, quality K-12 education, nutritious food and health care, and decarceration that will allow us all to have optimal, healthier lives.
The Social Impact Fund and
The Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund
Systemic and structural barriers, such as structural racism, don’t affect people the same way. At the heart of our impact investments, we understand that prevention and intervention strategies should not rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, they should directly address the needs and concerns of those who are most affected.
We invest in evidence-based, local solutions to shift the inequitable health paradigm, respecting local agencies to tackle social determinants of health challenges that ultimately lead to measurable positive health outcomes.
California Social Enterprises
- Community Youth Center
- International Children’s Assistance Network
- Midtown Family Services
- Cognitive ToyBox
- SameSky Health (Formerly ConsejoSano)
- Mandela Partners
- NICOS Chinese Health Coalition
- North East Medical Services
- Prosperity Market
- Spanish Speaking Unity Council
- The Knowledge House
- The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program
- Uptrust
- Vouchers for Veggies
- Youth Alive!
Massachusetts Social Enterprises
Michigan Social Enterprises
Minnesota Social Enterprises
New York Social Enterprises
Pennsylvania Social Enterprises
Washington Social Enterprises
Washington, D.C. Social Enterprises
Social Impact Funds Supporters
The Social Impact Funds are currently funded by philanthropic donors—individual philanthropists and family and corporate foundations. We are able to launch impact funds in a market with the backing of lead donors or a group of donors who are passionate about systemic, community-led health and economic solutions in their communities.
Supporters of the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds help scale the impact of local social entrepreneurs who are working to solve health disparities that present the greatest challenges in their communities.
NYSE and New York Life Investment Management align to support health equity
The New York Stock Exchange hosted American Heart Association and New York Life Investment Management leaders during the closing bell on Feb. 18. The event spotlighted NYLIM’s support of the AHA’s Social Impact Fund, which helps reduce social and economic barriers to health equity by investing in local social entrepreneurs and organizations.
![virtual closing of the bell on Feb. 18, New York Stock Exchange President Stacey Cunningham joined Yie-Hsin Hung, CEO of New York Life Investment Management, and Dr. Regina Benjamin](https://www.heart.org/-/media/Social-Impact-Fund/NYSEBell-PodiumCBPhoto210218PRESS.jpg?h=400&iar=0&mw=600&w=600&hash=34C11D0DC77213EE95598542243FA772)
Get to know our work
Breaking Down Social & Economic Barriers in Flint and Boston
Through its Social Impact Fund, the American Heart Association invests in local entrepreneurs, small businesses and organizations that are breaking down the social and economic barriers to healthy lives. Current investments are helping to scale and expand programs run by organizations in Flint, Michigan and Boston, Massachusetts.
![female teacher working with student](https://www.heart.org/-/media/Social-Impact-Fund/femaleteacherhelpingpupilusingcomputerinPC24DNZ.jpg?h=533&iar=0&mw=960&w=800&hash=35EF1E566B131BCE88177B71CF96247C)
![female teacher working with student](https://www.heart.org/-/media/Social-Impact-Fund/femaleteacherhelpingpupilusingcomputerinPC24DNZ.jpg?h=533&iar=0&mw=960&w=800&hash=35EF1E566B131BCE88177B71CF96247C)
Interested in learning more about the Social Impact Fund?
We’d love to hear from you.