Navicent Health Foundation awards $253,000 in community grants

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Navicent Health Foundation awarded $253,000 to 25 local organizations through its Healthcare Employees Achieving Tomorrow (HEAT) grants program.

One of the largest awards went to Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia. President and CEO Pat Chastain said the mission received $10,000 to support its Women’s Transitional After Care Home.

The home, which opened earlier this year, provides women and their children a safe place to live while they search for jobs and save money to regain stability. The facility includes a kitchen, multiple bathrooms, sitting rooms and 32 bedrooms.

“It’s not always a fast step, it’s a very slow, deliberate one,” Chastain said. “It’s a very instrumental part of our recovery. So, what the Navicent family were able to do, it was a huge step for us.”

Foundation officials said this year’s grants will impact Middle Georgia communities by supporting health care access, food programs, mentorship for children, mental health and prescription assistance, breast cancer survivor services, diagnostic services and more.

Organizations receiving grants in the 2025 HEAT cycle include:

• Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc.

• American Red Cross of Central Midwest Georgia

• Backpack Ministry Forest Hills Church

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia

• Crossroads Christian Counseling Center

• Depaul USA, Inc.

• Families and Youth Innovation, Inc.

• Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia Inc.

• Georgia College & State University Foundation Inc.

• Jay’s HOPE Foundation

• Joshua’s Wish, Inc.

• Loaves and Fishes Ministry

• Macon Outreach at Mulberry

• Macon Volunteer Clinic

• Mothers Nest Inc.

• Rebuilding Macon, Inc.

• Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia Inc.

• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia

• The Arc Macon, Inc.

• The Mentors Project of Bibb County, Inc.

• The Next Level Community Development Center Inc.

• The Society of St. Andrew, Inc.

• Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. (Georgia Industrial Children’s Home Campus)

• United in Pink, Inc.

• Wesley Glen Ministries Inc.