WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 24, 2025 – The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, granted 11 organizations in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties “Culture of Health” mini-grants for community projects to improve health through blood pressure control, nutrition security, tobacco-free and vape-free environments, and cardiac emergency response plans including CPR training and AED placement. The grants are sponsored by HCA Florida Healthcare, supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, and Palm Health Foundation.

This was the third year the American Heart Association Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast offered these mini-grants, and 36 organizations applied to participate. Over the next five months, the 11 grantee organizations will meet monthly for educational workshops to help them maximize their funding, and to connect and report on their progress.

“Every year, I’m impressed by the number of area nonprofits that are focused on community health work, and by how effectively they’re reaching their target audiences,” said Ellice Martinez, assistant vice president, community engagement for HCA East Florida Healthcare. “The projects this grant series funds are specifically selected because they’re well thought-out, they’ll help move the needle on improving health, and they’re sustainable, so the work can continue when the grant dollars are spent.”

The organizations being funded in this round of grants are as far north as Port St. Lucie and as far west as Okeechobee.

“I’m so proud to see the reach of this mini-grant series,” said Abigail Goodwin, executive vice president of Palm Health Foundation. “On top of the important work of each funded project, we’re building a network of health-focused changemakers who can make long-term improvements in our community.”

Grants of up to $4,000 each are being funded for the following organizations: Association of Haitians Living Abroad for Development; Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches, Inc.; Connect to Greatness; El Sol, Jupiter’s Neighborhood Resource Center; Empower Healthcare; Family Resource Center of Palm Beach County, Inc.; Federation of Families of Florida, Inc.; Harbor Light Foundation; Interactive Community Alliance, Inc.; Palm Beach County Food Bank; and T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, Inc.

“We’re proud to be in year three of this grant series,” said Stacey Comerford, executive director of the American Heart Association Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast. “We’ve connected with incredible organizations and helped accomplish sustainable health changes in this community that are truly improving lives.”

The American Heart Association Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast serves the residents of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Staff members, volunteers and donors assist the organization in guiding efforts to reduce the incidences of heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading causes of death of American men and women, respectively. For more information, contact PBC@Heart.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagram and X.

For Media Inquiries:  

Nina Barbero, APR

nina.barbero@heart.org