FUNDING OVERVIEW
The American Heart Association is pleased to invite organizations to work together in improving health outcomes in Corning, NY, and surrounding communities through Community Impact Awards made possible by the Estate of Mary Vohar Lilley. Awards ranging from $500 to $10,000 in awards, equipment/resources or a combination of both will support community and clinical initiatives focused on improving blood pressure control and advancing cardiovascular health.
We seek innovative, community-led initiatives that address social determinants of health, advance equitable health and improve cardiovascular health outcomes in underserved populations. Competitive proposals will demonstrate alignment with community needs, strong partnerships, sustainable and system-level impact, effective use of resources and a feasible plan for increasing access to blood pressure screenings and improving blood pressure control.
Priority will be given to projects that directly benefit the City of Corning, with all funds utilized within Steuben, Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Yates or Livingston counties.
Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis by a team of American Heart Association staff and volunteers who will make determinations until the funding is exhausted. If there are any questions, or for proposals exceeding the existing Community Impact Award range, please contact Tom Lowe, Community Impact Director for Western New York at tom.lowe@heart.org or Hillary Rabel, Community Impact Director for Central New York at hillary.rabel@heart.org.
Submit Proposals Online:
Application link will be available August 1, 2026.
PROPOSAL AREAS OF INTEREST
Controlling Blood Pressure: Proposals to include increasing awareness of the connection between high blood pressure (HBP) and the risk of heart attack and stroke, driving innovative approaches for HBP management, increasing the number of people controlling their blood pressure to acceptable levels and/or building clinical capacity to enhance hypertension control. Clinical proposals should have a primary focus on improving hypertension control rates to >70% among those at greatest risk and communities with limited resources following the latest guidelines and evidence-based activities. Community proposals should integrate clinical referrals and/or connections to care.
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Community Organization Example Opportunities
- Establish community-based blood pressure stations for self-measurement, education, and referral to clinical care.
Healthcare Organization Example Opportunities
- Commitment to improving patient blood pressure control through implementation of Target: BP evidence-based pillars
Organizations are encouraged to propose innovative approaches beyond these examples that align with the goal of improving blood pressure control and reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
AWARD TIMELINE:
- Applications open: August 1, 2026
- Applications close: September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM
- Award Decisions Expected: November 1, 2026
ELIGIBILITY & SCORING CRITERIA:
Priority will be given to proposals that promote systemic change through strong, outcome-focused initiatives (including, but not limited to, community collaborations, environmental and programmatic interventions, and policy advocacy) that target communities most burdened by high blood pressure rates, a limited access to healthy food, increased tobacco usage and low rates of cardiac arrest survival or bystander CPR intervention.
Priority will be given to proposals that directly benefit the City of Corning, New York and Steuben County. All funds from Mary Vohar Lilley Community Impact Awards are restricted for use within Steuben County, Allegany County, Chemung County, Schuyler County, Yates County and Livingston County.
Applicants must have 501(c)(3) status or have a partner 501(c)(3) organization that agrees to be the fiscal agent for the Community Impact Award. Collaborative applications with local, state or federal agencies are encouraged.
Awards may be used for new initiatives that are unique and innovative, or for the expansion or continuation of already successful projects or initiatives.
No portion of the funds may be re-distributed to other organizations, although funds may be used to hire contractors, vendors or employees to carry out the activities.
No portion of funds may be utilized for lobbying per IRC Section 4945(d)(1-3).