By: Kennesha VanBurch, Director, Health Equity and Community Investment Partnerships
2026 marks the sixth year of AstraZeneca's US Accelerate Change Together (ACT) on Health Equity initiative and its Community Solutions Challenge (CSC), reaffirming our commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations working to address barriers to health and improve outcomes in communities across the country.
This year, we received more than 500 applications from organizations across the country dedicated to advancing health equity and making meaningful change within their local communities. The continued interest in CSC reflects the critical role community-based organizations play in advancing health equity through locally driven solutions that respond to the unique needs of the populations they serve.
Since launching ACT on Health Equity in 2021, AstraZeneca has continued to invest in nonprofit organizations and programs working to expand access to care and address factors that influence health outcomes. In 2026, 55 organizations have been selected to receive $30,000 in funding each through the Community Solutions Challenge, supporting innovative, community-led approaches to improving health and well-being.
Through these investments, we are proud to continue working alongside organizations that understand the needs of their communities and are helping create opportunities for more people to achieve better health.
Supporting Community-Led Solutions to Advance Health Equity
The 2026 Community Solutions Challenge recipients represent a diverse group of nonprofit organizations working to address critical health needs and reduce barriers to care across the US. Their initiatives focus on advancing health equity through healthcare access, education, climate & nature, and nutrition & food security, reflecting the importance of addressing both healthcare needs and the broader social factors that influence health and well-being.
From programs that seek to improve student wellness by integrating nutrition and family education into one coordinated system of support at school to programs that help families access and navigate care on their own terms to experience healthy, joyous pregnancies and births, these organizations are helping connect individuals and families with the resources, education and support needed to navigate health challenges and access quality care.
By investing in organizations with deep community connections and an understanding of the populations they serve, the Community Solutions Challenge aims to support sustainable, locally informed solutions that can make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Together, these efforts reflect AstraZeneca's continued commitment to advancing health equity through collaboration, community investment and action.
Photo courtesy of Gaithersburg HELP, Description Gaithersburg HELP volunteers stocking food pantry shelves
Learn more about our recipients and the impact they make within their communities below.
Community Solutions Challenge
America’s Second Harvest of Costal Georgia, Inc.
Leading the effort to end hunger and improve lives.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Our mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide through research, education, advocacy, and support. We work to advance the understanding and prevention of suicide, reduce barriers to mental health information and resources, support those impacted by suicide, and empower communities with evidence-based tools and knowledge that promote help-seeking, access to care, and connection.
Backpacks Of Love Inc
The mission of the organization is to eliminate childhood food insecurity by ensuring consistent access to nutritious food for students in underserved communities who may otherwise go without meals when school is not in session. Through school-based partnerships, the program addresses nutrition as a critical social determinant of health, helping reduce disparities, improve well-being, and support children’s ability to succeed academically and developmentally.
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Ending hunger by providing nutritious food, fostering community collaboration, and advancing innovative solutions.
Chainless Change, Inc.
Chainless Change is a community of recovery, advocacy, and support for those negatively impacted by the criminal legal system.
Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group
Our organization’s mission is to advance health equity for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals through accessible, affirming care, education, and advocacy.
Coalition to Restore Costal Louisiana
To unite people in action to achieve a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast for all.
Community Power Inc.
Community Power builds people-centered climate resilience by supporting local leadership, expanding access to reliable clean energy, and driving investment into vulnerable neighborhoods.
Crown Her With Confidence, Inc.
Our mission is to restore confidence, dignity, and hope for women and girls experiencing medical hair loss by improving access to customized cranial prostheses, education, supportive resources, and compassionate care.
Daniel’s Table
Our mission is to ensure that all our neighbors have access to nutritious food, compassionate support, and the resources to thrive. Through dignity, choice, and community, we help families overcome barriers, build stability, and create healthier, more hopeful futures.
Diabetes You Can Win Foundation, Inc.
Our mission is to provide underserved communities with access to diabetes education, resources, and screenings to improve their quality of life and health outcomes.
Dunn United Ministerial Association (DUMA)
Our mission is to serve the local and surrounding communities as a help center to provide food assistance and a referral network of non-profits to assist and improve the lives of every Senior, veteran, homeless, disabled, and low-income household through equity and equality, that has a need to improve their quality of living.
EASTCONN Regional Educational Service Center Incorporated
Our organization supports partnerships and regional solutions that address the evolving needs of learners of all ages. By connecting schools, families, employers, and community organizations, we expand access to education, workforce development, and lifelong learning opportunities. Through collaboration, innovation, and data-informed decision-making, we deliver high-quality programs and services that strengthen individuals, support academic and career success, and help build stronger, more resilient communities.
eCLOSE Institute
To make medically relevant scientific discoveries using an educational platform that embraces equality and empowers participants to contribute ideas, life experience and experimental data to improve disease treatment.
Epilepsy Alliance Florida
The organization is dedicated to supporting those impacted by epilepsy by confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures.
Fallbrook Food Pantry
Since 1991, the organization's mission has been to improve health and well-being by ensuring equitable access to nutritious food and addressing the social determinants of health for underserved residents of rural North San Diego County.
Farm to School Frederick, Inc.
The organization’s mission is to increase equitable access to locally grown food by strengthening connections between local farmers and schools, families, and underserved communities through community-based food access and nutrition education programs.
Feed Halifax
To provide reliable and dignified access to nutritious food for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity by removing barriers to access, expanding innovative and flexible distribution methods, and building strong community partnerships.
Food Bank of Delaware
The mission of the Food Bank of Delaware (FBD) is to inspire hope in our communities by providing food to nourish Delawareans, while collaborating on long-term solutions to hunger and poverty.
Frederick Rescue Mission, Inc.
To rescue people from hunger, poverty, and substance use addiction.
Gaithersburg HELP, Inc.
Established in 1968 as an all-volunteer organization, our mission has been to provide essential nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families at risk for hunger. And through our knowledgeable volunteers, our mission is also to provide meaningful referrals to the many other services that our clients may need, beyond nutrition. We have grown from a small food bank in a church basement to a major provider of nutrition assistance, with over 6,000 family visits to our food pantry during the past year.
GoodWorks Program Inc.
GoodWorks Program Inc. is a Prince George's County based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving public safety and health literacy by delivering American Heart Association certified CPR, AED, and emergency response training to youth and underserved communities across the Washington, DC metropolitan area, ensuring that every individual regardless of income or background has the knowledge and confidence to act in a moment of crisis.
Hope Distributed, LLC
Our mission is to provide and promote social well-being to the citizens of Rockingham County and surrounding localities by providing relief to low-income individuals and families with food and clothing in a dignified and respectful manner.
Hungry Souls
We provide nutritious meals to children in our community who need it most, helping them grow into who they’re meant to be and break generational cycles of scarcity and poverty. Through partnerships with local schools, we ensure children, and their families have enough to eat during weekends and school breaks, the times when they are most likely to go hungry, so they can thrive in school and in life.
Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc.
Inspire, create, and sustain connections and cultural experiences that are accessible to all.
Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services
We exist to improve the quality of life for children with cancer by supporting their families in the challenges they face.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS)
Our mission is to strengthen families and individuals across generations and cultures to achieve stability, independence, and community.
Junior Achievement of South Central PA
Our mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed.
Kiona Foundation Inc.
We exist to advance health equity for pediatric cancer families in underserved New York communities. We address the nutrition, wellness, and educational gaps that compound the burden of a pediatric cancer diagnosis, ensuring that no family navigates this journey without access to the resources they need to sustain their health and wellbeing.
Lancaster Independent School District
Empowering ALL students' purpose and passion through quality education.
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Inc.
Our organization provides nourishing food with respect and dignity to all who seek assistance, while offering robust opportunities for community engagement through volunteerism, partnerships, and nutrition education.
Louisiana Center for Health Equity
The Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE) is dedicated to advancing health equity to improve the overall health and well-being of all Louisianans. LCHE works to eliminate health and healthcare disparities attributed to structural, institutional, or social disadvantages.
Meals on Wheels Atlanta
Our mission is to support senior independence through meals, shelter, education and community.
MEND – Meet Each Need with Dignity
With dignity and respect, the organization's mission is to meet the immediate needs of individuals and families and strengthen their capacity to thrive.
MidShore Meals til Monday Inc
We are working to end childhood hunger in Dorchester County, Maryland, and beyond.
Our Neighbor’s Table
Hunger comes in many forms. Our organization is committed to establishing a community that provides for the whole person with nourishing food, kindness and dignity.
Our Piece of the Pie, Inc.
Our mission is to empower youth with the key competencies needed to overcome barriers and succeed in education, employment, and life.
Positive Alternative Recreation Teambuilding Impact
Our mission is to promote education around youth, healthy lifestyles and healthy decision making. Our vision is that very youth will have access to thrive regardless of race, gender, nationality, family economic status, or ability.
Ronald McDonald House New York
Our mission is to provide families of children with cancer and other serious illnesses a strong, caring, and seamless circle of support.
RSVP Volunteers
We create and run unique community programs powered by skilled volunteers to advance education and wellness for all ages and strengthen nonprofits through capacity-building and volunteer services.
Safer Together
To improve safety, health outcomes and well-being in our environments by uplifting community members as leaders and working together to increase equitable access and use of free tools and resources by San Francisco community members.
Sacred Heart Church
We strive to turn fear into hope by helping individuals and families rise out of poverty – through immediate assistance to meet basic needs AND through assistance to overcome economic insecurity through practical, accessible, and affordable adult education.
Science Museum of Virginia Foundation, Inc.
The organization inspires all Virginians to enrich their lives through science.
Second Harvest of the Greater Valley
Feeding the community through our partnerships.
SisterWeb
SisterWeb, a network of culturally congruent community doulas and birth workers from and for Black communities, works to dismantle racist health care systems, strengthen community resilience, and advance economic justice for birthing families and doulas in San Francisco.
Sussex Montessori School
The mission of our school is to nurture the development of empathetic, collaborative, persistent, and innovative global and community citizens in accordance with the time-tested philosophy of Maria Montessori.
Ten Strands
Our mission is to strengthen the partnerships, strategies, and systems that advance environmental literacy, ensuring all California TK–12 students thrive in sustainable, resilient schools and engage in meaningful environmental learning experiences, both in and beyond the classroom.
The Joseph Institute
To equip households, churches, and communities with practical preparedness training rooted in the principle of Order, Foresight, and Provision – ensuring every household regardless of income, background, or geography has the food supply, water storage, emergency plan, and life-saving skills needed to sustain themselves when crisis comes.
The Laurel Center
The Laurel Center was incorporated in 1983 and offers a comprehensive program of emergency shelter, crisis intervention, criminal justice advocacy, counseling support services, 24/7 hotline, and educational services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the City of Winchester, and in the counties of Frederick, Clarke, and Warren.
The United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut
Our organization envisions a community where every person is healthy, safe, and economically secure. We work in partnership with community to address critical needs and advance equitable pathways to wellbeing and financial security for everyone.
Unconditional Freedom
We create the conditions for the restoration of dignity to people who have been overlooked, cast out, or marginalized.
Union Station Homeless Services
Our mission is to end homelessness through housing solutions, supportive services, and connection to community.
United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania
As a nonprofit agency, we are dedicated to meeting the needs of local families, seniors, youth, and new immigrants while also empowering them to attain self-sufficiency.
Wholesome Wave
Wholesome Wave’s mission is to end food and nutrition insecurity across America by increasing affordable access to fruits and vegetables for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or zip code.
Young STEAMers
Our mission is to ensure that young people from every community can see themselves in STEM, access real opportunities, and build futures shaped by their talent rather than their circumstances. We serve Bay Area youth ages 4 to 24 through free, hands-on STEAM education, mentorship, career exploration, and youth leadership pathways rooted in community partnership.