The American Heart Association has recognized two community-focused organizations with its 2026 Impact with Heart recognition, highlighting scalable innovations that remove barriers to health care and address social drivers of health. The announcement was made during an annual honors event on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in New York City. The recognition underscores the Association's commitment to accelerating health care solutions in response to projections that at least 6 in 10 U.S. adults will have some form of cardiovascular disease by 2050, with related costs tripling.
The honored organizations are Mammha, based in Miami, and ThriveLink, headquartered in St. Louis. Mammha, a Social Impact Funds portfolio company, transforms perinatal mental health care through a text- and web-based platform that streamlines screening, referral, and treatment for maternal depression and anxiety. Founded and led by CEO Maureen Fura, the platform is designed to provide culturally relevant support in clinics and remotely. ThriveLink, an EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator alumnus, uses AI-powered voice technology to help families enroll in programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, and utility support. Founded and led by CEO Kwamane Liddell, ThriveLink removes internet and literacy barriers by allowing users to complete complex applications through voice commands. A recent investment from the Social Impact Funds is accelerating ThriveLink's reach.
“The American Heart Association has a long history of impact, but the challenges ahead demand new approaches, new partnerships and bold leadership,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “What you see through Impact with Heart are powerful examples of what’s possible when mission-driven innovators are given the resources, trust and support to scale ideas that remove barriers to care and improve lives.”
Both organizations address key social drivers of health, which are increasingly recognized as critical to cardiovascular health. According to the Association, optimal cardiovascular health is shaped not only by clinical care but also by access to coverage, transportation, nutritious food, and stress-reducing support. The Association's Social Impact Funds, launched in 2018, support for-profit and nonprofit organizations tackling health care access, food security, and economic vitality through equity investments, loans, and grants. The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator provides philanthropic support and an MBA-style curriculum to help health-focused entrepreneurs scale solutions.
The recognition comes amid alarming data: heart disease and stroke already kill more than all forms of cancer combined each year, and population shifts and risk factors are expected to triple U.S. cardiovascular disease costs by 2050, according to a study cited by the Association (source). A presidential advisory from the Association further highlights structural racism as a fundamental driver of health disparities (source).
