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Kansas City, MO — Health Forward Foundation is proud to announce an expansion of its commitment to civic engagement and advocacy with more than $6 million in funding awarded to 50 nonprofit organizations. This funding builds upon a previous round of support and reflects our deepening investment in organizations that are advancing democracy and amplifying community voice.
This year, Health Forward combined its civic engagement and advocacy funding into a single opportunity — a strategic shift that underscores how interconnected these efforts are in building inclusive, powerful, and healthy communities. Civic engagement and advocacy organizations must work hand in hand to achieve change, increase health equity, and strengthen our democracy. This work is core to Health Forward’s purpose and central to our Power purpose area.
“Civic engagement is essential to building community power and improving health outcomes,” said McClain Bryant Macklin, Chief Policy and Impact Officer at Health Forward. “Our investment is grounded in the belief that policy should be shaped by the people most affected. These organizations are creating the conditions for communities of color, rural communities, and young people to meaningfully engage in the democratic process.”
Civic engagement is a powerful force for health and equity. Communities with stronger civic participation — from voting to advocacy — tend to have better health outcomes. Health Forward sees civic engagement as a social influencer of health because it gives voice to those most affected by harmful policies. When more people are involved in shaping decisions, our policies and systems become stronger and more inclusive.
The 50 funded partners include organizations focused on voter registration, nonpartisan civic education, youth civic engagement, community organizing aligned with Health Forward’s policy agenda, and advocacy coalitions. By supporting both individual organizations and collaborative coalitions, Health Forward is helping to build and sustain the civic infrastructure needed to shape policy and transform systems.
“This isn’t just another funding round — it’s about showing up for the folks already doing the hard work,” said Jason Williams, Health Forward Principal Impact Strategist – Power. “These leaders have the trust, the experience, and the relationships in their communities. We’re just here to back them up and help push things forward toward real change.”
As we continue this journey, Health Forward is committed to funding efforts that build civic power, promote just policies, and support the long-term health of our communities. This latest round of funding is just one expression of our broader engagement and long-term commitment to advancing equity through policy and participation.
We are proud to partner with the following organizations:
