Health Equity Initiative

What Health Equity Initiative does

Health Equity Initiative (HEI) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) volunteer nonprofit organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York City. Its mission is to build a global, multisectoral community — bridging public health, healthcare, education, communications, and community development — to advance health, racial, and social equity. HEI's primary functional activity is knowledge-sharing and community-building, delivered through a Health Equity Blog, a website with curated resources (reports, infographics, mindmaps, toolkits, webinars, COVID-19 resources), a biannual newsletter reaching 16,000+ subscribers, social media channels, film discussions, community leader forums, virtual internships, and partnership summits. A listserv launched in 2025 extends its community communication infrastructure.

The organization has historically operated on a volunteer-staffed model with 6 employees, and its GTM is community-led: it offers membership (suspended as of September 23, 2024), sponsorship opportunities starting at $5,000, internship programs drawing students from 16 institutions of higher education, and grant funding to partner organizations. Revenue is generated through foundation grants (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Macy's Inc.), corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. HEI has built strategic partnerships with Grameen America, The Trevor Project, APHA's Health Communication Working Group, New City Neighbors, the W.K. Kellogg TRHT enterprise, and Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York. In 2023, HEI's website was added to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's historical collections of web content.

As of September 23, 2024, HEI suspended active programs for an undefined period, including its membership program, while continuing to maintain its blog, website, social media, and biannual newsletter as resources. Work in 2024-2025 continues through funding to grantee partners. HEI does not offer a technology product, SaaS platform, or API, and has no AI/ML capabilities. The organization is led by Founder and Board President Dr. Renata Schiavo, a Senior Lecturer at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, with a board and advisory council that includes senior public health and policy figures.

Name

Health Equity Initiative

Legal name

Health Equity Initiative

Website

https://healthequityinitiative.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Health Equity Initiative is a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 that builds a multisectoral community across public health, healthcare, education, and other sectors to advance health equity through content, advocacy, and grants. It suspended active programs on September 23, 2024, while maintaining its blog, newsletter, and website.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health Equity Advocacy Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Equity & Social Determinants Program Funding (HLAJALAK), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Health Equity, Community Health & Social Determinants Policy (HLAJAMAG)

Keywords

• Health equity advocacy
• Community health initiatives
• Nonprofit health education
• Social determinants health
• Multisectoral health collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Program: HEI operated as a membership-based organization welcoming collaboration between professionals from different sectors on health equity. The membership program was suspended as of Sept. 23, 2024.
2. Sponsorship and Donations: HEI accepts donations and offers customized sponsorship opportunities starting at $5,000. Contributions support HEI's mission to inform, educate and advocate for equity in health for all in the US and globally.
3. Grants and Foundation Support: HEI receives grants from foundations including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Macy's Inc. provides an unrestricted grant starting April 2025 to support the Health Equity Blog. HEI also provides grants to partner organizations (grantee partners).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Health Equity Initiative is a volunteer nonprofit organization that operates a knowledge-sharing and community-building platform for health equity. Its primary deliverables include the Health Equity Blog, a Virtual Internship Program, the Health Equity Listserv (launched 2025), COVID-19 and Health Equity Resources, Partnership Summits, Advocacy Training webinars, and Grants Program funding to partner organizations. As of September 23, 2024, active programs were suspended, though the blog, website, social media, and biannual newsletter continue operating as resources.

Product overview

Health Equity Initiative (HEI) is a volunteer nonprofit organization operating primarily as a content and community engagement platform for health equity. The core offering is the Health Equity Blog, supplemented by virtual internship programs, a listserv launched in 2025, COVID-19 resources, advocacy training, webinars, film discussions, community leader forums, and grant funding to partner organizations. The organization suspended active programs as of September 23, 2024, but continues operating its blog, website, social media, and newsletter as resources for the health equity community. HEI does not offer a technology product, API, or SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Health Equity Blog A cross-sectoral blog featuring perspectives from HEI team, members, and guest authors covering narratives, news, stories of hope, healing, community engagement, and partnerships to advance health equity. Reaches 700-800 visitors per month on website and 15,000+ people per announcement via newsletter and social media. Supported by an unrestricted grant from Macy's Inc. starting April 2025.
• Virtual Internship Program Flexible virtual internship opportunities for graduate students and advanced undergraduate students to acquire skills within the nonprofit sector. Includes Blog Writing & Development, Communication and Social Media, Research and Evaluation, Membership Support, Development and Event Planning, and Conference Planning tracks. Past interns have attended 16 institutions of higher education including Columbia University, NYU, and University of Pennsylvania.
• Health Equity Listserv A listserv dedicated to fostering connection, collaboration, and information sharing among those working to advance health, racial, and social equity. Hosted via Google Groups and open to community members.
• COVID-19 and Health Equity Resources A compiled list of resources addressing the importance of keeping health equity on the agenda during COVID-19 outbreak response, protecting vulnerable and marginalized communities. Includes guidance, trainings, vaccine resources, and readings on vulnerable populations.
• Partnership Summits Bi-annual partnership summits (2016, 2018) bringing together nearly 115 national and international professionals and community leaders from multiple sectors to address systemic barriers to health inequity. Features Innovation Think Tanks and networking opportunities.
• Grants Program Grant funding program providing $5,000 grants to partner organizations including Grameen America, The Trevor Project, Health Communication Working Group (APHA), and New City Neighbors for health equity initiatives. 2024-2025 work continues through grantee partners.
• Advocacy Training Interactive training webinars for community leaders and CBOs to strengthen advocacy and policy communication skills, supported by Macy's Inc. Maximum 25 participants per session.
• Membership Program (Suspended) A multisectoral membership program engaging professionals from different sectors on health equity. The membership program was suspended as of September 23, 2024, though the organization continues operating its blog and other resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached nearly 25,000 women across NYC with health workshops, screenings, and referrals through grantee partner Grameen America
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017HEI announced its partnership with the Kellogg Foundation's Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation enterprise - a national and community-based initiative designed to engage communities in racial healing and other efforts to address current inequities linked to the belief in a racial hierarchy. HEI is one of the initial 144 organizations in this multi-year effort.
• Picture MotionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHEI joined Picture Motion as a publicity partner for the Aftershock film clips and conversation virtual event on Black maternal health, featuring Representatives Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams, and health equity champion Tonya Lewis Lee.
• Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMake-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York recognized HEI as a Community Partner, honoring its efforts towards health equity.
• Grameen AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2024-2025 grantee partner. HEI provided a $5,000 grant to fund salaries for community health workers in NYC through the Grameen Promotoras program, which reached nearly 25,000 women across NYC through 9,100 workshops, screenings, and referrals in the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan.
• The Trevor ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2024-2025 grantee partner. Collaborative project supported by HEI funds to explore how TrevorSpace could more deeply integrate Positive Youth Development principles for LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-24. Survey of 631 LGBTQ+ young people conducted.
• Health Communication Working Group (APHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner2024-2025 grantee partner. HEI funding supports work on health communication and health equity issues. The working group is part of the American Public Health Association's Public Health Education and Health Promotion section with nearly 500 members.
• New City NeighborscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2024-2025 grantee partner. HEI funding supported student asset mapping project in the Creston neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is partially funded by Health Equity Initiative.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Human Impact Partners: A Oakland-based nonprofit that leverages research and policy to advance health equity and social justice through community partnerships. Comparable to HEI in mission, multisectoral convening approach, and grantmaking to community-based organizations.
• Prevention Institute: A Oakland-based nonprofit that works to build equitable, health-promoting environments and prevent illness through community-driven approaches. Highly comparable to HEI as a small, mission-driven health equity intermediary producing toolkits, frameworks, and convenings for multisectoral audiences.
• National Association of Community Health Workers: A membership-driven nonprofit representing community health workers and promoting their role in advancing health equity. Comparable to HEI's community health worker grantee partnership (Grameen Promotoras) and member-based community engagement model.
• Community Catalyst: A national nonprofit that builds the power of communities to advance health equity through advocacy, organizing, and consumer voice. Comparable to HEI in mission, advocacy training programs, and focus on amplifying community-led health equity work.
• Health Leads: A national health equity nonprofit that addresses social determinants of health through community-based programs and policy advocacy. Directly comparable to HEI's SDOH framing and community health worker enablement approach.
• The Praxis Project: A community-centered nonprofit that supports organizing and policy advocacy to advance health equity and racial justice. Directly comparable to HEI's racial equity pledge campaign, multisectoral convening, and small-grant intermediary model.
• Families USA: A leading national, non-partisan voice for health care consumers, focused on health equity and coverage. Comparable to HEI in advocacy, cross-sector convening, and focus on social determinants of health, though at substantially larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Trust for America's Health: A larger, established nonprofit that promotes sound public health policy and addresses social determinants of health at the federal level. Comparable to HEI's policy and SDOH focus but operates at greater scale with broader research and lobbying capacity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HlthEquityInit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/health-equity-initiative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Health Equity Initiative