Health Access Hero Awards
Recognizing and supporting individual changemakers and nonprofit organizations working to increase access to vital health services and improve health outcomes.
The Oral Health and Diabetes Connection
There is a close link between oral health and diabetes that is often overlooked.
Many at-risk communities lack access to preventive oral health care and regular dental exams, which can significantly impact overall health and lead to other health issues.
Diabetes also disproportionately impacts underprivileged communities, and when poorly managed, can lead to severe medical conditions, including cardiovascular and kidney disease.
We combined our expertise in oral health and our longstanding commitment to diabetes prevention for a two-pronged philanthropic focus. We foster people, programs and innovation that will increase access, make health and benefits easier and improve health outcomes for those who need it most.
About the Health Access Hero Awards
There are two Access Hero Award tracks shining a light on work to improve access and health outcomes for communities in need: Grants for nonprofits to support and fund impactful programs, and Nominations to recognize unsung Heroes that have made a significant impact in their communities. Areas of focus include:
- diabetes prevention, awareness and education
- diabetes management and care
- treatment and recovery support for diabetes-related complications
- obesity prevention
- nutritional programs: awareness and education
- nutritional programs: access and food insecurity
- oral health equity and access
- children’s oral health care
- oral disease prevention and management
| Health Access Heroes Grant Program | Health Access Heroes Awards |
|---|---|
We provide programmatic grant funding to 501(c)(3) charities that focus on improving health access within their communities Organizations have the opportunity to select from three grant options: $25,000, $50,000 or $100,000. |
We recognize individual changemakers in communities throughout the U.S. who are working to improve health access in innovative & impactful ways. Selected Award recipients will receive a $10,000 donation to the charity of their choice. |
Timeline
- Application Submissions: Open Now! February 1 to March 31.
- Application Reviews: April to June: Submissions are short-listed and national judging panel reviews final candidates
- Recipient Notifications: July-August
- Public Announcement: In September the selected recipients will be recognized and their efforts spotlighted on social media, the website and other marketing channels.
To apply for a Health Access Hero grant or to nominate an individual Hero, utilize the following application links:
Learn about prior Health Access Heroes
Contact information
If you have any questions about the Sun Life Health Access Heroes program, please email us at health.access.heroes@sunlife.com. Please note that we will not accept any applications via email. All applications must be submitted through the respective online portals.
Group insurance policies are underwritten by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, MA) in all states, except New York. In New York group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, MI). Product offerings may not be available in all states and may vary depending on state laws and regulations.
#1561916680 01/25 (exp. 01/27)
SLPC 1242502599 11/23 (Exp. 11/25)