AKF's latest Kidney Health Coach Health Equity Grant recipients are raising awareness about kidney disease in their communities

On April 1, 2026, AKF launched the fourth year of its Kidney Health Coach® (KHC) Health Equity Grant program. The goal of the program is to expand the reach and impact of KHC by empowering organizations and coaches across the country to reach at-risk communities and educate them about chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevention and management.  

AKF was pleased to award 12 organizations and 36 coaches with grants in the fourth year of the program. Below is a summary of how each of the 12 organizations are using their grants for projects that spread awareness about kidney disease in their communities. 

American Nephrology Nurses Association — MichigANNA Chapter (Detroit, Michigan)

The American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) was founded in 1969 as a non-profit organization to support nurses in the growing nephrology field. ANNA's mission is to improve the profession of nephrology nursing through education, advocacy, networking and science. 

"We are proud to implement a community-centered program through the MichigANNA Chapter of the American Nephrology Nurses Association that empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools to better understand and manage their kidney health," said Nikeyia Davis, immediate past president of the MichigANNA Chapter #132 in Michigan.  "Our program focuses on meeting people where they are, addressing gaps in education, access and awareness that disproportionately impact underserved communities. We applied for the Kidney Health Coach grant to expand our reach and deepen our impact, equipping our nurses and community partners with evidence-based resources to deliver meaningful, sustainable education. The American Kidney Fund has been instrumental in the success of our program by providing not only funding, but also structure, credibility and high-quality educational tools that allow us to effectively engage and empower our communities. Through this partnership, we are advancing health equity and creating lasting change in the lives of those we serve."

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Western Region

The Western Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is a regional affiliate of Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc., a civic and service organization founded in 1906. The Western Region has a strong legacy of health-focused programming, including health care roundtables, medical workshops and community-based prevention initiatives. 

With the health equity grant, the organization plans to:

• Extend kidney health education into established community events, including a coordinated health fair and the Western Region's golf tournament
• Integrate kidney health education into Alpha University, the Western Region's leadership development and learning platform
• Host a Barbershop Talks series focused on kidney disease prevention, early detection and lifestyle risk factors
• Implement a comprehensive Kidney Health Coach program at its Regional Convention 

American Diabetes Association — Arlington, Virginia 

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading nonprofit dedicated to preventing diabetes and its complications, improving access to high-quality care and advancing health equity. Through evidence-based education, clinical and community partnerships and policy and systems-level initiatives, ADA addresses diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardio-renal-metabolic risk, prioritizing underserved, rural and historically marginalized communities. 

"Working for the American Diabetes Association, we understand that diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease," said Felicia Foye, senior director of health access and quality at the ADA. "Receiving the Kidney Coach Grant is more than an honor — it's a responsibility. By educating those living with diabetes, the leading cause of kidney disease, we create a pathway to prevention, early detection and hope. This opportunity allows us to empower others — especially in rural communities — to become Kidney Coaches and champions for healthier futures."

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.® — Washington, D.C. 

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. is an internationally recognized leader in developing healthy communities through advocacy, collaboration, education, leadership, research and service. Its mission includes encouraging the pursuit of continuing education, recruiting individuals into health careers, stimulating close and friendly relationships with other professional groups, and identifying and developing a core of nursing leaders who affect social change at the international, national, regional and local levels. 

"Chi Eta Phi, Sorority Incorporated is proud to be among the organizations selected to receive a Kidney Health Coach grant from the American Kidney Fund," said Samantha Agee, president of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated. "Through this grant, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated has a goal to prepare and mobilize an estimated 75-100 Kidney Health Coaches across the country within the first year, leveraging our national network of professional nurses and community partners. By equipping Kidney Health Coaches across the country, we are not only educating communities; we are transforming lives, advancing equity, and ensuring prevention and early detection reach those who need it most."

Chicanos Por La Causa — Phoenix, Arizona 

Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1969 in Phoenix, Arizona by grassroots student and community activists advocating for civil rights and access to higher education in Phoenix. Today, CPLC serves people across eight U.S. states through health and human services, education, housing, advocacy and economic development. In Arizona, CPLC's Healthy Aging Program supports more than 300 low-income adults aged 55+ each year in Phoenix and Tucson.  

"Healthy Aging provides kidney health education as part of a comprehensive wellness program serving low-income older adults, many of whom are Spanish-speaking Latino seniors with higher rates of diabetes and hypertension," said Luis Raygoza, Healthy Aging Program manager at Chicanos Por La Causa. "We pursued the Kidney Health Coach grant because education and early awareness are critical to reducing health disparities. With support from the American Kidney Fund, we are delivering evidence-based kidney health education through workshops, virtual sessions and community outreach across Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, reaching older adults in centers where they socialize regularly."

Greenville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc — Greenville, South Carolina

The Greenville Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated is a historical Black Greek-letter organization founded on the principle of achievement with the goal of promoting service and leadership. The chapter has been awarded and recognized nationally for the work they have done within their community. 

"For the second consecutive year, the Greenville (SC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated is honored to qualify for the American Kidney Fund's Kidney Health Coach Grant," said Antonio Martez, national vice chairman of health and wellness for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. "This continued recognition reflects the measurable impact of the AKF Kidney Health Coach Program in strengthening our community-based health outreach within the Greenville, SC communities we serve. Through AKF's education, training resources and financial support, our Chapter has been able to equip trusted community leaders with culturally relevant tools to raise awareness about kidney disease, promote early screening and encourage healthier lifestyle choices. The partnership with the American Kidney Fund has been instrumental in expanding our reach, deepening community trust and improving kidney health outcomes in the local communities we serve."

Kappa Detroit Foundation — Detroit, Michigan

The Kappa Detroit Foundation is a civic organization that serves Detroit's eastside communities with a focus on health equity, educational advancement and community empowerment through culturally responsive programming. Their work addresses chronic disease prevention, health literacy and access to care in underserved African American communities facing significant health disparities and limited preventive health resources. 

"Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.'s Detroit Alumni Chapter has long been committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve across Southeast Michigan," said Teronto Robinson, MD, the health and wellness chair of Kappa Alpha Psi Northern Province. "Through our Kidney Health Coach program, we are bringing culturally responsive kidney disease education directly into the Black community — in barbershops, churches, community centers and neighborhood events — meeting people where they are and in spaces where they already feel safe and heard. The American Kidney Fund has been an invaluable partner in this effort. Their training resources, educational materials and organizational support gave our volunteers the tools and confidence to have meaningful, informed conversations about kidney health with community members who may never have discussed it before. AKF didn't just fund a program — they equipped a community to advocate for itself."

Be the Change Today — Birmingham, Alabama

Be the Change Today assists those in at-risk communities who are disproportionately affected by chronic disease, COVID-19, poverty and lack of resources in the Greater Birmingham area. The organization partners with other organizations to host events and promote wellness while combining resources to meet basic needs of community members. 

"Kidney disease is personal to the communities we serve," said Dr. Cynthia S. Garrett, founder of Be the Change Today. "Black Americans are three times more likely to experience kidney failure, and the Black Belt Region is one of the most medically underserved corridors in the country. Diabetes and hypertension — two leading causes of chronic kidney disease — are epidemic in the neighborhoods we serve every single day. The KHC Health Equity Grant is funding Kidney Health Coach training for our team, blood pressure and blood glucose screenings at every food distribution event, and kidney health education sessions delivered right where our community gathers — at food pantries, church parking lots, community centers and pop-up distributions throughout Greater Birmingham and deep into the Black Belt. AKF has given us the tools, the training, the materials and the credibility to have conversations about kidney health right there at the food distribution table — where people already trust us. Because of this grant, our coaches are equipped to do more than hand out groceries. We are planting seeds of knowledge that can be lifesaving."

Kidneys Quest Foundation — San Fernando, California

Kidneys Quest Foundation, Inc. is a San Fernando-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping renal disease patients and their families deal with the challenges of CKD, dialysis and kidney transplants through education, clinical access and community outreach. The organization will use the grant funding to host an informative event on the challenges faced by individuals with diabetes and kidney disorders, provide educational webinars and organize a pop-up pantry to deliver kidney-friendly food to populations in need — mainly, Hispanic/Latino and African-American communities. 

"Kidneys Quest Foundation has been at the heart of the community for 18 years," said Carolyn Y Lemos, CEO and co-founder of the Foundation. "Through our valued partnership and the honor of collaborating with the American Kidney Fund, this grant strengthens our ability to expand access, increase impact, and reach deeper into communities where awareness of kidney disease — and its life-altering effects — remains limited."

New Life Community Alliance — South Dekalb, Georgia

For over 23 years, New Life Community Alliance (NLCA) in South Dekalb, Georgia has been dedicated to restoring dignity and building opportunities for neighbors in need. The organization helps feed, clothe and house people, as well as connect them to career support, education and other opportunities. 

"New Life Community Alliance implements our signature Kidney Health Connection initiative with support from the Kidney Health Coach program," said Brandi Whitney, health program services coordinator at NLCA. "This program was created after seeing how many people were living with kidney disease without the information or support they needed. We focus on reaching those who are most vulnerable and often disconnected from the health care system, offering education that is accessible and culturally relevant. The Kidney Health Coach grant has strengthened this mission, and AKF's partnership has helped us expand our reach and make a real difference in the community."

Roosevelt & Ruth Marlow Educational and Recreational Foundation — Ash, North Carolina

Roosevelt and Ruth Marlow Educational and Recreational Foundation is a community-based nonprofit established to promote health, education and overall well-being through workshops, outreach programs and community partnerships, with a focus on underserved rural populations. 

"At the Roosevelt and Ruth Marlow Educational & Recreational Foundation, our Healthy Steps Community Wellness Program was created to help individuals and families take simple, consistent steps toward better health," said Natasha Godwin, executive director of the foundation. "In many of the communities we serve, there is a growing need for accessible education around chronic disease prevention, especially as it relates to kidney health, heart health and everyday lifestyle habits. With support from the American Kidney Fund, we are expanding our outreach to provide much-needed education and create engaging, community-based wellness experiences that encourage movement, healthier eating and prevention. This partnership is allowing us to deepen our impact and bring greater awareness to kidney health, especially as we prepare for upcoming community events that will connect and serve even more individuals and families."

Trinity Educational Community Center — Health and Wellness Ministry — Columbia, South Carolina 

Trinity Educational Community Center (TECC) was established to expand the community impact of Trinity Baptist Church by addressing educational, health and social needs in Columbia.  The Trinity Baptist Church Health & Wellness Ministry operates as TECC's primary health outreach arm, advancing health equity through culturally responsive education, chronic disease prevention, early detection awareness and care navigation in trusted, faith-centered settings. 

With the health equity grant, the organization plans to: 

• Host in-person kidney health forums focused on diabetes, hypertension and kidney risk
• Recruit volunteers to complete KHC online training and create an orientation session to integrate trained coaches into the Trinity Health and Wellness Ministry
• Complete skills building sessions with Kidney Health Coaches, including development of kidney health education messages through social media and faith-based communication channels

For more information on the Kidney Health Coach program, click here. 

Click here to hear from Kidney Health Coaches on how they reach and educate communities affected by kidney disease.