New York University, School of Medicine

Smaller, nonacademic organizations often lack the experience, time, and resources needed to conduct and implement evaluations that are critical to effective program execution and sustainability.

To address this need among its own grantees, NYHealth began funding, in 2008, a technical assistance initiative that offers additional support in strengthening the evaluation aspects of grantee projects. With funding from NYHealth, the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine has provided direct assistance to selected grantees, held training workshops for grantees, and created an online evaluation toolkit to be used by potential NYHealth applicants and current grantees. Through continued support from NYHealth, the evaluation technical assistance program has built on the successes of previous years. In 2024, NYHealth awarded NYU a grant to continue this initiative for NYHealth grantees. 

Under this grant, NYU will continue to provide evaluation technical assistance workshops for grantees that cover a range of topics, including developing a logic model; designing and implementing a process and outcome evaluation; and coding and analyzing qualitative data. NYU will continue to offer workshop content through monthly, interactive webinar learning sessions, with a potential hybrid approach in late 2024 or early 2025. Participants will further receive evaluation workshop presentations and other resources in an electronic format. NYU will also reach out to new grantees to schedule an initial, one-hour consultation. The evaluation team will provide enhanced technical assistance to grantee organizations over a one-year period and offer customized support, depending on grantee needs. Lastly, NYU will send out periodic reminders to grantees about the availability of technical assistance. 

Related Grants: 
Phase 1: $253,635 
Phase 2: $220,301 
Phase 3: $166,979 
Phase 4: $151,670 
Phase 5: $148,297 
Phase 6: $149,553 
Phase 7: $151,579
Phase 8: $154,690 
Phase 9: $161,255 
Phase 10: $163,005 
Phase 11: $167,233 
Phase 12: $167,441 
Phase 13: $171,525 
Phase 14: $179,984 
Phase 15: $187,528       

The Bodega and Small Business Group (fiscal sponsor: The Institute for Family Health)

Low-income communities of color across New York City are less likely to have access to full-service grocery stores that offer high-quality, affordable food. Residents of these communities often rely on bodegas or small corner stores; there are an estimated 8,000 bodegas across New York City. Studies have shown that individuals shopping at these stores are more likely to purchase sugar-sweetened beverages, salty snacks, and candy. At the same time, research shows that when more fresh produce is available at these stores, consumers purchase more fruits and vegetables and fewer sugar-sweetened beverages. While there have been efforts to improve healthy food options at bodegas in the past, more work must be done to address the structural issues that make it difficult for small businesses to supply them. In 2024, NYHealth awarded The Bodega and Small Business Group (BSBG, formerly the Bodega Association) a grant to test replicable models to profitably source and deliver fresh, healthy, affordable foods to bodegas in the Bronx. 

Under this grant, BSBG will engage with nine Bronx-based bodegas on a pilot project to conduct real-world testing of a scalable business model to provide healthy and affordable food options. BSBG will conduct market research with distributors, store owners, and customers to understand their needs and preferences for supplying and purchasing healthy foods; examine consumer preferences and store profitability for different products, product sizes, packaging options, and price points; study different delivery methods; and analyze data to develop a business model for a bodega purchasing collective. 

New York Cares

During their time in service, more than half of all military veterans were likely exposed to toxic chemicals and other airborne hazards, including burn pits with open-air combustion of waste. This exposure has led to a range of health complications, including respiratory illnesses, cancer, and other chronic conditions. In addition to toxic exposure illnesses, veterans face mental health challenges exacerbated by compounding crises. Recent federal legislation known as the PACT Act significantly expanded eligibility for health care and mental health services for military veterans. While coordinated outreach efforts have led to significant increases in enrollment, many veterans remain unaware of these benefits or how to apply for them. In 2023, NYHealth awarded a grant supporting the expansion of the New York Cares Mission: VetCheck—a veteran outreach program launched during the pandemic in partnership with the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS). In 2024, NYHealth awarded New York Cares a grant to continue its outreach and education to veterans in New York City to maximize their understanding and use of expanded services. 

Under Phase 2 of this grant, New York Cares will continue its partnership with DVS and use its Mission: VetCheck program to reach eligible veterans. It has built a robust referral network to support veterans, including PACT Act enrollment from certified veteran benefit advisors, mental health services from the Military Family Wellness Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Health System, and housing and financial assistance services. Working with DVS, it will obtain a targeted, up-to-date contact list of veterans within the five boroughs; contact veterans through wellness check-in calls; offer information about expanded health care benefits and mental health services, provide education about eligibility and enrollment; screen for suicidal ideation; and connect veterans with resources.

Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center

SNAP is the nation’s most important anti-hunger program. More than 1.7 million New York City residents enrolled in this program; food insecurity and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in demand for SNAP. NYHealth made a grant to the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center (SNP-UJC) in 2023 to maximize SNAP enrollment for eligible New Yorkers. In 2024, NYHealth awarded SNP-UJC a grant to continue to improve the timely processing of SNAP applications for eligible and food-insecure New Yorkers.

Under this grant, SNP-UJC will continue its advocacy work and raise the voices and needs of SNAP program participants. It will work to secure the progress it achieved under the first phase of work, monitor improvements, and address remaining barriers that prevent timely enrollment to help hungry New Yorkers.

Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming

New York State’s Hudson Valley region is home to thousands of farms that produce millions of pounds of food annually. And yet, many Hudson Valley and nearby New York City residents struggle with food insecurity and lack access to nutrient-dense, fresh food. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model is one way to create access to healthy foods supplied by local farms, but it has historically been out of reach for SNAP recipients. In 2024, NYHealth awarded the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming a grant to provide support across a network of farms in the Hudson Valley to expand a replicable CSA program for SNAP customers.

Under this grant, Glynwood will promote outreach, scaling, and replication of the CSA is a SNAP program throughout the region and State. The program provides SNAP customers with a 1:1 matching benefit, allows them to make weekly payments, and ensures farmers receive the full cost of CSA shares for SNAP customers. It will also allow SNAP customers in the Hudson Valley and New York City to have easier access to fresh, locally grown food, and small-scale farms in the region will have new markets that improve their economic viability.

Rock Steady Farm

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. However, stark disparities persist by race and ethnicity, and communities of color experience disproportionately high rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease. The communities most affected by these disparities often have the best solutions to improving food equity. However, systemic barriers often exist, and historically, organizations led by people of color have not had equal access to or benefited from traditional philanthropy funds and resources. In 2024, NYHealth issued an inaugural Request for Proposals (RFP), “Healthy Food, Healthy Lives: Supporting a More Equitable Food System,” to advance racial health equity in the food system. NYHealth awarded Rock Steady Farm (RSF) a grant to participate in this initiative. 

Under this grant, RSF will assist queer, trans, and BIPOC (QTBIPOC)-led farms to procure fresh produce and products throughout New York City and the Hudson Valley. New farmers often lack the infrastructure to pursue purchasing contracts from large public institutions or wholesale orders. To address this challenge, RSF will leverage its logistical and transportation infrastructure; high demand for its produce in the New York City area; and community-based relationships to support QTBIPOC-led farms. It will also coordinate with food hub cooperative Brooklyn Packers and the Northeast Farmers of Color Network, a network of queer, trans, and BIPOC farmers and stakeholders, to provide support to other farms interested in reaching the New York City market with their products. RSF will also supplement its weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with produce and products from small farms, and it will strengthen its partnerships with project collaborators to coordinate in-person and virtual convenings with key farmers, distribution partners, and service providers.  

See a full list of grantees working to advance racial health equity in the food system. 

 

 

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