HCA Healthcare Foundation awards grant to Hispanic Unity
Health Equity Catalyst Grant to help address health inequities in South Florida
Fort Lauderdale, FL – HCA Healthcare’s East Florida Division announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to Hispanic Unity of Florida to expand services in Miami-Dade County, as part of its Health Equity Catalyst Grant Program. The funding is through the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact fund focused on addressing high priority community needs and health equity.
“We are deeply committed to fostering health equity and addressing the most pressing needs in our community,” said Charles Gressle, HCA Healthcare East Florida Division president. “Partnering with Hispanic Unity of Florida allows us to expand our impact, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources and care they deserve.”
The Hispanic Unity of Florida helps low and moderate-income South Floridians of all ages, from preschoolers to adults, become food secure. The organization also provides immigrants with necessary tools to build a new life.
“This grant is a reflection of our shared mission to build healthier tomorrows and to care for and improve human life,” Gressle said.
“Since 1982, Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) has been a trusted resource for immigrants in South Florida, offering comprehensive services that promote prosperity and self-sufficiency. Through a holistic approach, we address both immediate needs and long-term solutions to support the community,” shared Felipe Pinzon, President and CEO of the organization. “We appreciate HCA Healthcare Foundation’s generosity; this gift will help us advance one of our key initiatives: expanding access to SNAP benefits, increasing the availability of nutritious food in local schools, and empowering families to make healthier dietary choices, ultimately improving their overall health outcomes.”
Launched in August 2023, the Health Equity Catalyst Grant provides a one-time operating grant to support organizations and collaboratives addressing health inequities in a defined focus area in order to advance or accelerate efforts to:
- Provide culturally and structurally competent services,
- Advance high-impact health equity programming,
- Support collaborative health equity efforts, and/or
- Address root causes of health
This year, the grants were given to nonprofits addressing food insecurity and providing access to healthy foods across the country.
The Healthier Tomorrow Fund at the HCA Healthcare Foundation is one example of the many ways HCA Healthcare is making a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2023, HCA Healthcare provided charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care at an estimated cost of $3.7 billion. Additionally, HCA Healthcare contributed more than $43 million to community organizations in 2023. Last year, HCA East Florida Division donated more than
$800,000 to local non-profit organizations.
About Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF)
Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) was founded in 1982 by local community leaders to serve as a haven for immigrants and refugees, helping ease their acculturation process and supporting them on the path to achieving their American dream. Many arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs, a few dollars, and no knowledge of the language or culture—but they persevere in pursuit of their aspirations. Today, HUF stands as South Florida’s largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the immigrant population, offering 12 programs and more than 30 services in four languages. Since its founding, HUF has served over 553,500 individuals from South Florida’s diverse communities. For more information, visit hispanicunity.org and follow @hispanicunity.