The John A. Hartford Foundation 2026 Business Innovation Award

The John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award acknowledges the achievements of community-based organizations (CBOs) that partner and contract with health care entities, such as health systems, health plans, and accountable care organizations, with the goal of replicating these successful partnerships nationwide.

Each year, the award recognizes CBO—health care contracts and partnerships that improve health outcomes and quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities and/or family caregivers. Award recipients are recognized for their bold, transformative initiatives designed to align health and community care and increase their organization’s sustainability. The award is sponsored by The John A. Hartford Foundation and presented by USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute and engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults. ­­­­­­Learn more about past winners.

In 2026, we invite applicants to submit innovations that meet the following criteria:

· Promote social connection and/or address social isolation and/ or loneliness,
· Are associated with a current health care contract and
· Include one or more of the 4Ms of age-friendly care: (what matters, medication, mentation and mobility).

ELIGIBILITY
Nominations from a broad array of community-based aging and disability organizations are encouraged. Eligible recipients include, but are not limited to, Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, Community Care Hubs (CCHs) and networks of CBOs, faith-based organizations, and other nonprofit or government-based community-based aging and disability services providers. For profit entities are not eligible for this award. Organizations are permitted to nominate themselves.

NOMINATION PROCESS
Please complete the entire nomination form to nominate an entity for The John A. Hartford Foundation 2026 Business Innovation Award. Only fully completed forms will be considered. Once you submit the nomination online, it cannot be changed. If you have any questions, please email the Aging and Disability Business Institute at businessinstitute@usaging.org. Application deadline is Wednesday, May 13 at 5:00 PM ET.

SELECTION OF RECIPIENT(S)
A review committee of representatives from USAging, foundations and subject matter experts will select the award winners. The committee will choose one winner and up to two runners-up. Preference will be given to health care partnerships that indicate a contract is in place between the CBO/CBO network and the health care entity (HCE).

Recipients will be announced and recognized at USAging’s 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow July 18–21 in San Diego, CA. All recipients will receive a plaque. The first-place winner will receive a monetary award of $5,000 and each runner-up will receive $1,000 (two runners-up maximum).

Here is a PDF of the nomination form that may assist you before completing the online application.