Univera Healthcare addresses health disparities in Western New York with new Health Equity Awards

Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply beginning August 17

BUFFALO, NY-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 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.