AKF awards first Kidney Health Coach grants to fight lupus nephritis

While many people are aware of the disease lupus, they may not be aware that about 50% of adults with lupus will develop lupus nephritis, which is when lupus causes inflammation and damage to the kidneys. Over time, lupus nephritis can cause permanent kidney damage, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and, in some people, kidney failure. About 9 in 10 people with lupus are women, and lupus is more common in Black women. In August 2026, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) launched a new grant program called Kidney Health Coach® (KHC) Looped in on Lupus Nephritis to expand the reach and impact of KHC and help organizations raise awareness about lupus nephritis. 

In the first year of the program, AKF awarded lupus nephritis grants to three organizations. Below is an overview of how those organizations are using their grants to educate their communities. 

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

The Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church serves more than 15,000 members and uses its collective resources to strengthen families and communities locally, across Philadelphia and globally. 

"Through our comprehensive health ministry, we connect people with health education, screenings, resources and strategic partnerships that empower them to make informed decisions, take action and lead healthier lives," said Lisa Salley, Kidney Coach at Enon. "We applied for the American Kidney Fund's Kidney Health Coach Lupus Nephritis grant because we recognize the importance of increasing kidney health awareness and equipping individuals with the knowledge to understand their risks and take proactive steps to protect their health. Lupus nephritis can have serious consequences for kidney function, making accessible education and informed conversations with healthcare professionals especially important. Our partnership with AKF strengthens our ability to extend the reach of our health ministry by combining Enon's deep community connections with AKF's kidney health expertise and educational resources. Together, we can empower more individuals with knowledge that supports informed healthcare decisions and reinforces our shared commitment to healthier communities."

Northern Virginia Baptist Association — Warrenton, Virginia 

The Northern Virginia Baptist Association (NVBA) promotes fellowship, counsel, church unity, education and Christian service. NVBA's Commission on Health and Wellness works to empower and support health ministry leaders in local churches. 

"One of the key benefits to the NVBA and AKF partnership is promoting health equity in vulnerable communities," said Sister Coyan Lewis, chair of the NVBA Commission on Health and Wellness.  "Lupus nephritis — a severe kidney complication caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — disproportionately impacts marginalized populations. As the NVBA serves a predominantly Black faith-based community, this grant provides culturally appropriate resources to directly address these systemic health disparities and social determinants of health. The financial and educational backing empowers NVBA members to become certified Kidney Health Coaches. NVBA leaders can train their own members to spread CKD awareness. This creates a sustainable, self-multiplying educational network across all affiliated regional churches."

The Balm in Gilead — Richmond, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina

The Balm in Gilead, Inc. works to uplift, empower and enlighten people of color. The mission of the organization is to prevent diseases and improve the health status of people who are most impacted by health disparities by providing support to faith institutions in the areas of program design, implementation and evaluation. 

"Health equity isn't just a medical issue — it's a matter of social justice, and meeting people where they worship and gather is key to lasting change," said Dr. Pernessa Seele, Founder & CEO of The Balm in Gilead. "Chronic kidney disease disproportionately impacts Black Americans, yet early awareness and education remain critical gaps. By partnering with the American Kidney Fund, we've been able to equip trusted local leaders with the resources and training needed to drive real prevention and early detection efforts. AKF's support has directly amplified our mission, giving us the tools to empower families with life-saving health education."

The KHC LN Grant is made possible through a valued collaboration and generous contribution from GSK.

Resources:

Become a Kidney Health Coach

Kidney Health Coach and Health Equity