Connections for Cardiovascular Health℠ Next Generation
In 2020, the Foundation launched Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM (CCH) Next Generation which builds on the legacy of the CCH program. CCH Next Generation maintains CCH’s original mission to improve cardiovascular health in the US and many of the same criteria for funding and programs. The CCH Next Generation program focuses on sharing nearly 10 years of Foundation and Grant Awardee learnings from the field so organizations have the opportunity to modify or adapt these learnings when designing and implementing their own innovative, community-based heart health programs.
A key aspect of the CCH Next Generation program is the Mentorship Program which provides peer-to-peer support, webinars and educational resources to help guide CCH Next Generation Grant Awardees to successfully implement their programs.
Overview
In 2022, the Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM (CCH) Next Generation program held a final closed cycle for current Grant Awardees. The CCH Next Generation program will sunset in 2023.
Building upon the success and lessons learned from the Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM and CCH Next Generation programs, the Foundation is seeking to broaden its impact through a new signature program that will help advance health equity in the US. Information on future funding opportunities through the AstraZeneca Foundation will be updated on our website in the coming months.
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Eligibility
To qualify for a Foundation grant, nonprofit organizations based in the United States must be engaged in charitable work (at the community level or otherwise) that addresses the Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular Health℠ Next Generation (CCH) mission and meets five key criteria:
- Addresses cardiovascular health issues within the United States and its territories
- Recognizes and works to address an unmet need related to cardiovascular health in the community
- Responds to the urgency around addressing cardiovascular health issues, including cardiovascular disease or conditions contributing to cardiovascular disease
- Improves the quality of participants’ and non-professional caregivers’ lives in connection with the services provided and work done
- Demonstrates a clear plan for long-term program sustainability, to further improve cardiovascular health after Foundation grants are expended.
Foundation grant applications that meet the criteria and describe innovative programs with clearly defined outcomes and measurable results and processes are considered for funding.
Through evaluating results from community-based programs from CCH, the AstraZeneca Foundation and its evaluation partners have identified six innovative approaches commonly used to improve cardiovascular health at the community level. Applying organizations align with one of six innovative approaches as the basis of their CCH Next Generation program or identify their own innovative approach. The six innovative approaches include:
- Leveraging access for uninsured and underserved participants to improve cardiovascular knowledge and health
- Bringing programs to participants
- Educating children to serve as heart health ambassadors
- Improving cardiovascular health through food-based programs
- Using health coaches/promotores to improve cardiovascular health
- Providing culturally sensitive program interventions to maximize participant outcomes
Applicants are encouraged to consult the AstraZeneca Foundation’s Effective Program Practices Guide to help them when designing their own community-based cardiovascular programs.
How to Apply
In 2022, the Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM Next Generation program held a final closed funding cycle for current Grant Awardees. The CCH Next Generation program will sunset in 2023.
Building upon the success and lessons learned from the Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM and CCH Next Generation programs, the Foundation is seeking to broaden its impact through a new signature program that will help advance health equity in the US. Information on future funding opportunities through the AstraZeneca Foundation will be updated on our website in the coming months.
April – July 2022 |
Closed application cycle for current CCH Next Generation Grant Awardees |
Fall 2022 |
2022 CCH Next Generation Grant Awardees publicly announced |
Past Grant Awardees
Information about the Foundation’s past Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM Next Generation Grant Awardees can be found below.
Lessons Learned
The AstraZeneca Foundation is committed to sharing lessons learned from its grantmaking program and its Grant Awardees. Through these efforts, we aim to inspire other organizations across the country to work to improve health in their communities. Use the links below to access Foundation and Grant Awardee resources.
AstraZeneca Foundation Resources
- Mentorship Program Toolkit:
Understanding the challenges community programs often face in their first year, the AstraZeneca Foundation developed a capacity-building mentorship program to help guide funded organizations in the successful implementation of their programs through a curriculum of peer-to-peer support, webinars and educational resources. Comprised of lessons learned and effective practices from our impactful Mentorship Program, the Mentorship Program Toolkit serves as a roadmap for other philanthropic and nonprofit organizations interested in developing a mentorship program of their own. - Effective Program Practices Guide:
Based on 10 years of learnings from the CCH program, the Effective Program Practices Guide is an educational resource designed to help organizations develop their own community health programs. The Guide includes general guidelines for building an effective community health program, as well as six innovative program approaches commonly used by CCH Grant Awardees for other organizations to adopt or modify. Check out the summary and infographic to learn more. - Dissemination and Communications Guide:
Initially developed to support CCH Grant Awardees as they bring awareness to their programs, build sustainability and disseminate key learnings, the lessons in this Guide are generally applicable and may be used by other organizations working to develop, sustain and communicate about a community health program through traditional and social media.
Program Toolkits
- Asian Health Coalition:
CARDIO (Cardiovascular Awareness Recognizing Diet and Integration of Exercise Options) Program Toolkit
Outlines effective practices and outcomes for heart disease prevention among high-risk communities. - Catherine’s Health Center:
Live Heart Smart Health Coaching Toolkit
Provides information centered on health coaching as an innovative practice used to assist with implementing a patient-centered approach to behavior change. - Chesapeake Charities:
Partnering for Youth Cardio-Fit Project Toolkit
Provides detailed lesson plans for implementing a youth program that teaches youth to embrace the positive, preventative actions necessary to enjoy a lifetime of cardiovascular health. - Manna Ministries, Inc.:
MOVE Program Toolkit
Provides program outlines and resources to help implement an obesity reduction and cardiovascular health education program for adults and families. - Mid-Valley Family YMCA:
Activate Your Heart Program Implementation Guide
Provides detailed information on how to implement a community-based program aimed at reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, including tips for developing program partners and recruiting and retaining participants. - Saint Agnes Hospital Foundation:
Heart-to-Heart Program Toolkit
Provides key learnings and steps to consider in order to develop a faith-based cardiovascular health program. - Sankofa Community Development Corporation:
Healthy HeartBeats Program Toolkit
Provides information to help other organizations implement community-based programs to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, including step-by-step tools and recommendations for developing, implementing and evaluating a program. - St. Mary’s Health Wagon:
Heart Health 1, 2, 3. Program Toolkit
Provides information on the key components, lessons learned and steps to implement a successful cardiovascular health program. - West Virginia Health Right, Inc.:
SCALE Program Toolkit
Provides information on the key components and how to implement a weight loss and health status improvement program. - Westminster Free Clinic:
Corazones Sanos Program Toolkit
Provides information on the key components, lessons learned and steps to implement a culturally-sensitive and participant-centered cardiovascular health program.
