Recognizing structural racism as a driving force of health inequities and a barrier to its goal of health equity, Univera Healthcare invites nonprofit organizations to apply for Health Equity Awards of up to $30,000 each to help fund health and wellness programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities in upstate New York. The application period opens on Tuesday, August 17 and closes at midnight, Friday, September 17.
“Univera Healthcare made a pledge to our employees, members, and communities that we will use our influence and resources to effect change,” says Univera Healthcare Corporate Diversity Relations Director Joseph Searles. “Through community investments such as this, we strive to improve access to care, advance specific health outcomes and support organizations in our community that share our mission.”
Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations in Univera Healthcare’s service territory are invited to apply for Health Equity Awards. Proposals must include clear, defined goals for reducing health disparities and improving health equity in communities of color, especially within Black and Latino communities, where historic and current racism and discrimination continues to result in a higher burden of health inequities and social disadvantages. Organizations will be required to specify how funding will measurably assist in improving racial and ethnic health equity outcomes. Health Equity categories include, but are not limited to:
- Improving the community’s physical health and mental health
- Reducing social disparities in health care
- Ensuring access to health care
For additional information and the online application, please visit www.univerahealthcare.com/community, scroll to NEW! Health Equity Awards and click Submit Application. Proposals that have detailed scope, goals, rationale for support, and measures will receive the strongest consideration. Award winners will be announced in late October.
“As a company, we condemn hatred, discrimination, violence and injustice. We believe we all have a role to play in dismantling systemic racism. Inclusion, diversity, equity and access are fundamental to our organizational culture,” says Art Wingerter, Univera Healthcare President. “We have and will continue to commit ourselves to the equitable treatment of all people and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms.”
The company’s corporate giving follows all applicable laws and regulations and does not support funding organizations that conflict with its corporate mission, goals, policies or products.
Contact:
Olivia Linke, (716) 604-5414
Univera Healthcare is a nonprofit health plan that serves members across the eight counties of Western New York. With more than 500 Buffalo-based employees and a local leadership team, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. Univera is part of a Rochester-based health insurer that serves more than 1.5 million members across upstate New York. Its mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care, and its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. To learn more, visit UniveraHealthcare.com.
