Latest News | January 28, 2026
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Awards $142 Million to Bolster Systems and Support Immediate Needs of New Yorkers
In a year of rising costs and shifts in public funding access, new grants underscore the Foundation’s commitment to meeting immediate needs while fostering long-term health and equity statewide
NEW YORK, January 28, 2026 – The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation,the largest grantmaking organization focused exclusively on advancing the health and well-being of New Yorkers, today announced it has awarded 399 grants totaling over $142 million to organizations across New York State that are strengthening essential systems of care while addressing the rising and immediate needs of vulnerable New Yorkers. As nonprofits navigate a growing demand for services, increasing operating costs, and shifts in public funding, the Foundation’s latest grantmaking cycle reflects its commitment to meeting communities where they are today and building a more resilient health landscape for the future.
The Foundation’s new grants – awarded in late 2025 for 2026 programs — span its core program areas: Access to Healthcare, Basic Needs, Healthcare Workforce, Mental & Behavioral Health, and the General Fund to support initiatives that improve health and well-being outside the other program areas. Grantees serve low-income individuals and families; young children, pregnant women and new parents; youth and young adults; older adults; immigrants; people with disabilities; justice-involved individuals; and others most affected by health disparities. In 2025, the Foundation also launched its Nursing Initiative, a first-of-its-kind $50 million investment to support nursing professionals, reduce burnout, address workforce shortages, and improve patient care in 13 New York hospitals serving high-need populations.
“Our grantee partners are navigating an incredibly challenging landscape, and yet their commitment to serving their communities continues to deepen. These grants demonstrate our resolve to stand with them by addressing urgent needs today, while strengthening the systems and workforce that will support New Yorkers’ health for years to come.” said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, Chief Executive Officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
In addition to the Foundation’s responsive grantmaking process that allows nonprofits to apply annually for most urgent needs, this year’s grants also include strategic focus areas of giving:
Maternal Health (Program Area: Access to Healthcare)
To expand equitable and culturally responsive maternal care, the Foundation invested in programs that strengthen prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum support for women facing the steepest disparities, particularly low-income and immigrant mothers. Funded programs include:
- Bedford-Stuyvesant Family Health Center’s efforts to develop a comprehensive model for equitable, healthy pregnancy outcomes for underserved mothers in Brooklyn.
- Niagara University’s program for nursing students to focus on maternal health disparities and serve low-income rural communities in Western NYS.
- St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, which will expand maternal services for low-income individuals by training new doulas to provide prenatal and postnatal support, education and birthing services in Albany.
Alleviating Childhood Hunger (Program Area: Basic Needs)
In response to rising food insecurity, the Foundation supported programs that ensure children and families have reliable access to nutritious food and household essentials. Funded programs include:
- United Community Schools’s efforts to combat food insecurity for over 400 families in the city and upstate New York.
- Rural Health Network of SCNY, Inc., whose program Local Food for Little Learners: Expanding Farm to Early Care and Education in NYS, is to improve health, development and food security for young children in the Southern Tier and statewide.
- AdkAction’s food justice program, which improves access to healthy, locally sourced food for low-income families with young children in the Adirondack region.
Immigrants in the Healthcare Workforce (Program Area: Healthcare Workforce)
To address statewide healthcare workforce shortages and expand culturally and linguistically appropriate care, the Foundation invested in career pathways for immigrants and other underrepresented workers. Funded programs include:
- Sun River Health, which is implementing a Community Health Worker program to enhance outreach and health education services for farmworkers in the Hudson Valley & Long Island
- African Communities Together, which offers the Healthcare Support Career Accelerator to drive economic mobility and improve service quality amid healthcare workforce shortages. By tackling language barriers and certification costs, the program unlocks access to good jobs with clear career pathways for African immigrant healthcare support workers.
- Center for Migration Studies, which is conducting research into the needs and opportunities for immigrant home care workers to better care for New York City’s growing population of older adults and people with disabilities.
Mental & Behavioral Health of Rural Older Adults (Program Area: Mental & Behavioral Health)
With older adults in rural areas facing significant barriers to mental health support, including provider shortages, isolation, and limited transportation, the Foundation invested in programs that expand access, integrate services, and strengthen the behavioral health workforce. Funded programs include:
- New York State Association for Rural Health, whose partnership-driven Older Adult Rural Support (OARS) Program supports rural older adult mental health and wellness by enhancing community awareness, reducing mental health stigma and providing mental health training and professional development opportunities.
- National Council on Aging, Inc., which is advancing its work to improve mental well-being for older adults across rural parts of New York State.
- The Upstate Foundation, Inc.’s Upstate Mental Health REACH Initiative, which is designed to increase the competencies of primary care providers in diagnosing and treating the mental health disorders most commonly seen in their practices.
“At a time when many families are being asked to do more with less, the Foundation remains focused on showing up in tangible ways for people across New York. These investments prioritize everyday stability — from access to nutritious food and safe housing to mental health care — and reflect our belief that long-term community well-being starts with practical, people-centered support.” said Jennifer Balbach, Finance Committee Chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Board and Partner at Summer Street Capital Partners in Buffalo, N.Y.
“New Yorkers rely on a web of nonprofits that are often the first and most trusted source of support. These grants help those organizations not only stabilize their services, but expand them, so they can bring care into homes, schools, rural communities, and neighborhoods where traditional systems have not kept pace with need.” said Kathryn Ruscitto, Regional Grants Committee Chair, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Board and former President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse, N.Y.
A full list of 2025 Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grantees is available HERE.
About the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization established in 2019 to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that provide direct health care services and address social determinants of health under five program areas: Access to Care, Basic Needs, Healthcare Workforce, Mental & Behavioral Health, and the General Fund. The Foundation has invested a total of $1.2+ billion to support communities across New York State. For more information, visit: https://www.cabrinihealth.org/.
For media inquiries, contact: press@www.cabrinihealth.org