Celebrating National Nonprofit Day: Partnerships That Transform Healthcare Access

Mary’s Center providing health education and care coordination to a patient.

As National Nonprofit Day approaches on August 17, we're reminded of the extraordinary power that emerges when mission-driven organizations unite to tackle our most pressing challenges. Nonprofits have a crucial role in our healthcare ecosystem, serving as essential bridges between underserved communities and quality care. By addressing healthcare disparities with agility and building community trust, nonprofits serve as fundamental architects of innovative solutions to address the complex social, economic and geographic factors that influence health outcomes.

Nonprofits possess a distinct combination of clinical expertise and community knowledge, crafting programs and services that center community voices and work to advance healthcare access beyond clinical walls. Whether it’s transportation, language support, flexible scheduling or advocacy for policy change, nonprofits help shape solutions that cultivate lasting impact.

At the AstraZeneca Foundation, we are proud to play a role in this ecosystem. As a nonprofit charitable organization, our mission is to advance health equity and foster community wellbeing; we believe everyone deserves an opportunity to live a healthy life. This commitment is embodied in our Creating Health Access for Next Generation Equity (CHANGE) program, which was launched in 2023. Through CHANGE grants, we support nonprofits redefining healthcare to better serve those who might otherwise be left behind, championing both immediate health needs and the underlying factors that drive disparities.

The AstraZeneca Foundation's partnership with nonprofit organizations goes beyond the dollars. The Foundation's commitment to improving community health through strategic grant giving and capacity building support reflects a pivotal understanding that sustainable change requires more than funding alone — it requires partnership, shared learning and joint problem-solving. Through its philanthropic collaborative, CHANGE grant awardees are engaging in meaningful dialogue, education and peer-to-peer support to help measure and maximize their impact in communities. This approach recognizes that the most effective solutions emerge when funders and community organizations work together as true partners, sharing skills, resources and expertise to bring their missions to life in their communities.

This National Nonprofit Day, we celebrate six CHANGE grant awardees – organizations leading the way in innovative, compassionate healthcare delivery. Each demonstrates the transformative power of community-rooted care and a clear commitment to improving access for all.

AIDS Resource Alliance, Inc. (Williamsport, PA)

Initiative: AR Health: Achieving Health Equity for Medically Underserved Populations

In northcentral Pennsylvania, AIDS Resource Alliance tackles the unique challenges of providing primary care in rural areas to address a critical gap in healthcare for individuals living with HIV and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Their comprehensive, stigma-free approach builds trust and serves as a model for rural healthcare innovation that other nonprofits can replicate.

At the mid-point of their current grant year, AIDS Resource Alliance has screened 95% of eligible patients for anxiety and depression.

“It makes such a difference to not be judged.” – AIDS Resource Alliance, Inc. Patient

Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) (West Chester, PA)

Initiative: CVIM Expanding Access to Care Initiative

Community Volunteers in Medicine exemplifies the power of community mobilization in healthcare delivery. CVIM has extended hours, added locations and provided transportation to help break down persistent barriers for low-income working families. Their volunteer-driven philosophy turns the clinic into a healthcare home, powered by compassion and mutual support.

At the mid-point of their current grant year, CVIM has provided 120+ free rides to patients to/from their clinic.

“CVIM is truly a healthcare home and I literally don’t know what I would have done without them. It’s not just a healthcare center, it’s a haven. From the front desk to the back door, you can feel the warmth of the staff and volunteers.” – Community Volunteers in Medicine Patient

Health Care for the Homeless (Baltimore, MD)

Initiative: Comprehensive Care for Uninsured Baltimoreans Experiencing Homelessness

Health Care for the Homeless works to end homelessness through equitable healthcare, housing and advocacy in partnership with those who have experienced it. They meet people where they are — literally and figuratively — by providing care with dignity and partnering with clients to address the complex medical needs that often accompany housing instability.

At the mid-point of their current grant year, Health Care for the Homeless has provided documented care plans for 88% of eligible patients who are enrolled in case management.

"If I didn’t go to Health Care for the Homeless, I wouldn’t have known that I had cancer. And when I got to know, maybe would it have been too late? But because I went there, the people that take care of you, take care of you the right kind of way. They care about the people, they care about their jobs, they make sure that I’m okay." – Health Care for the Homeless Patient

LCH Health and Community Services (Kennett Square, PA)

Initiative: LCH Access to Care for Southern Chester County

By weaving together high-quality physical and mental healthcare with supportive offerings such as social services, health screenings and educational resources, LCH Health and Community Services addresses the interconnected factors that influence health outcomes. LCH's comprehensive model ensures that minimizing one barrier doesn't leave others in place to challenge long-term health and stability.

At the mid-point of their current grant year, LCH increased the number of available appointment slots at their sites by 32%.

“You opened your doors to me with open arms and gave me the tools for my health and without LCH, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I feel comforted and protected.” – LCH Health and Community Services Patient

Photo credit: LCH Health and Community Services

Mary's Center (Washington, D.C.)

Initiative: Providing Breast Care Services to Uninsured Participants

Mary's Center's breast care initiative bridges a major gap in women’s health, ensuring uninsured community members receive critical cancer screenings and treatments by partnering with local hospitals and specialists. Their community-responsive approach helps minimize barriers and opens doors to potentially life-saving care.

At the mid-point of their current grant year, Mary’s Center has provided breast health education and navigation to 89% of uninsured participants referred to mammograms.

“I am very grateful for the support received by the program, or I would not have otherwise had the treatment I needed.” – Mary’s Center Patient

SOME, Inc. [So Others Might Eat] (Washington, D.C.)

Initiative: Breaking Barriers, Boosting Care: SOME & the AstraZeneca Foundation's Whole Person Approach to Healthcare

SOME’s holistic model addresses housing, healthcare, emergency services, education, and workforce development, providing whole person care to help patients reclaim their health and wellness and work toward long-term resilience. Their emphasis on dignity and empowerment ensures that healthcare becomes a pathway to broader stability rather than just a temporary intervention.

At the mid-point of their current grant year, SOME has hosted 300+ telehealth sessions for 100+ clients.

"SOME has truly changed my life, helping me in so many ways I never thought possible. Being able to access my healthcare in one place through telehealth and, without the stress of traveling, has made it easier to stay on top of my health. Having all my services in one place gives me peace of mind and the confidence to keep moving forward." – SOME, Inc. Patient

Photo credit: SOME [So Others Might Eat]

The Ripple Effect of Strategic Partnership

Reflecting on the work of these six organizations, common threads emerge that weave their approaches: deep community knowledge, innovative service delivery, genuine community partnership and an unwavering commitment to treating every individual with dignity and respect. These aren't just healthcare providers; they're community builders, advocates and catalysts for change.

The CHANGE grant program represents more than funding as it's an investment in the infrastructure of health equity. Each of these organizations is creating models that can be replicated, scaled and adapted to serve similar populations across the country. They're generating evidence about what works, building partnerships that extend their reach and further equipping providers with the tools and knowledge to deliver not just excellent care, but equitable care that transcends barriers.  

For National Nonprofit Day, we celebrate not just the work these organizations do, but the vision they represent: healthcare delivery that truly serves everyone, regardless of their circumstances, background or ability to pay. Through partnerships like CHANGE, the Foundation is not just supporting individual organizations: it's cultivating a future where access to quality healthcare isn't an aspiration, but a reality.

The path toward health equity is neither simple nor short, but organizations like the CHANGE grant awardees remind us that it's achievable when we combine strategic investment with community wisdom and clinical excellence with community-centered care. By joining forces and sharing our skills and resources, together with our nonprofit partners we can create lasting change that strengthens communities and transforms lives.

For more information about the AstraZeneca Foundation, visit www.astrazeneca-us.com/foundation.

The AstraZeneca Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity organized for charitable purposes and is separate from the commercial entity, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.