Arthur Arthur Ashe Institute of Urban Health Receives $2M Grant

By Office of the President | Apr 16, 2024

As a proud member of the Board of Directors of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health (AAIUH), I am delighted to share that the Institute recently received a generous grant of $2M from Yield Giving in an Open Call submission that will support its impactful community health education programs and research initiatives.

The objective of the Yield Giving Open Call was to pinpoint and assist community-led organizations committed to fostering significant enhancements in well-being through fundamental resources.

AAIUH was one of more than 6,300 responders to the Open Call submission. Yield Giving initially planned to distribute 250 awards of $1M each. However, due to the exceptional quality of the applicants, the selection process underwent reconsideration, and consequently, AAIUH was among nearly 280 organizations instead awarded $2M each as a high-scoring applicant.

The grant will support the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health to expand its reach and impact through various initiatives, including broadening the Institute’s community engagement and research programs to reach additional venues conducting mental health sessions in diverse community settings such as barbershops, salons, and faith-based organizations. The grant will also fund the training of young individuals as peer mental health educators, aiding in connecting peers with mental health services, and also provide support for organizing heart health sessions within communities to promote healthy lifestyles.

AAIUH will be able to strengthen the STEM pipeline from middle school to college, with a focus on increasing representation for people of color in health professions, and also support improvements in its administrative infrastructure for long-term sustainability and operational efficiency. Lastly, the grant will leverage funds to enhance unrestricted gifts to the Institute, enabling it to broaden its influence in addressing health disparities and promoting health equity within marginalized communities.

This generous grant from Yield Giving highlights the invaluable contributions of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, helping to reaffirm its dedication to addressing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare access in underserved communities.

Yield Giving, established by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to distribute her financial fortune, embodies the principle of maximizing value through relinquishing control. Since 2019, Yield Giving has disbursed over $17.3 billion to more than 2,300 nonprofit organizations striving to improve society.

Congratulations to Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health chief executive officer Marilyn A. Fraser, M.D., on this remarkable achievement for the betterment of AAIUH.