Cencora Impact Foundation Conference Champions Global Collaboration to Dismantle Barriers to Healthcare Access
The Cencora Impact Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Cencora and an independent not-for-profit charitable organization, recently hosted its sixth annual Nonprofit Partner Conference, reinforcing its deep commitment to addressing healthcare access challenges around the globe. Held at Cencora’s global headquarters, the two-day symposium brought together more than 40 leaders from nonprofit organizations and Cencora business experts for a dynamic, solutions-driven convening aimed at cultivating partnerships, sharing insights, and fueling collaborative impact.
Founded with the mission of improving the health and well-being of both human and animal populations, the Cencora Impact Foundation serves as a vital connector between Cencora’s vast healthcare capabilities and nonprofit partners striving to create more equitable systems of care. This year’s conference highlighted the Foundation’s ongoing work to empower frontline organizations, promote innovation in global health, and foster systemic improvements in access to essential medicines and services.
“This innovative conference exemplifies our work to foster partnerships that drive Cencora’s purpose of creating healthier futures,” said Barbra Anderson, Vice President of Global Corporate Responsibility at Cencora and Program Officer for the Cencora Impact Foundation. “Together, with insights from Cencora’s healthcare and supply chain thought leaders, we are harnessing our collective expertise to create lasting change.”
A Platform for Purpose-Driven Collaboration
The conference’s agenda was thoughtfully designed to spark dialogue and innovation among a diverse group of stakeholders. Through a combination of panel discussions, case study presentations, and interactive workshops, attendees explored actionable strategies to overcome some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare delivery and access. Key themes throughout the event included the transformative role of community activation, the power of data and artificial intelligence in improving healthcare logistics, and the importance of storytelling to enhance advocacy and impact.
These sessions were not just academic or theoretical exercises—they served as collaborative spaces where nonprofit leaders could share their lived experiences and practical insights from the field, while also learning from Cencora’s deep bench of professionals in pharmaceutical distribution, technology, and logistics. The dialogue helped surface common barriers, identify scalable solutions, and foster new connections that could drive cross-sector impact far beyond the two-day event.
Attendees emphasized the value of these exchanges, noting that such rare, intentional gatherings help remove silos and spark ideas that lead to more effective and sustainable programs in their respective regions.
Advancing Global Health Through Grantmaking
One of the major highlights of this year’s conference was the announcement of the recipients of the 2024 Cencora Healthier Futures Grant Program. Launched in 2023, this grant initiative was created to leverage Cencora’s global supply chain infrastructure in partnership with nonprofit organizations that are driving innovative, high-impact programs in underserved areas. The 2024 funding round awarded more than $2 million in total to three standout projects designed to address systemic healthcare challenges while strengthening resilience and equity.
The three grantees selected this year are tackling different aspects of healthcare infrastructure and access in geographically diverse and high-need settings:
Direct Relief: Building Back Greener in Latin America
Direct Relief, a nonprofit with a longstanding reputation for providing medical aid in crisis settings, received funding for its project titled Building Back Greener – Strengthening Healthcare Resiliency and Capacity in Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. This initiative addresses the vulnerability of healthcare systems in disaster-prone areas, with a focus on the pharmaceutical cold chain—a critical but often fragile component in ensuring the availability of temperature-sensitive medications.
Direct Relief’s project involves upgrading refrigeration systems in community health centers and installing solar-powered microgrids to ensure consistent, climate-resilient energy sources. By modernizing cold-chain infrastructure, the initiative aims to safeguard essential medicines even during natural disasters or grid failures. Additionally, the program includes capacity-building elements such as training local healthcare staff to manage and maintain the equipment, ensuring long-term sustainability and local ownership.
This environmentally conscious approach not only strengthens health system resilience but also promotes climate mitigation by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing energy efficiency.
International Rescue Committee: Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance in Kenya
The International Rescue Committee (IRC), known globally for its work in humanitarian emergencies and health system rebuilding, was recognized for a project that addresses the escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Their program, Enhancing Integrated Facility and Community-Based Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistance in Kenya, seeks to improve both the prescribing practices and diagnostic capacities in underserved communities—particularly in refugee camps and host communities that are often neglected in national health planning.
With support from Cencora, the IRC will deploy training programs for healthcare workers to promote more judicious use of antibiotics and introduce alternative approaches to treating common infections. The initiative also includes the establishment of community-based surveillance mechanisms to monitor the spread of resistance and build local awareness through educational campaigns.
By focusing on prevention, early detection, and informed treatment, this project aims to reduce reliance on antibiotics, improve patient outcomes, and limit the long-term consequences of AMR—challenges that have global implications but often start at the local level.
A Model for Long-Term Impact
The Cencora Impact Foundation’s approach to philanthropic engagement goes beyond traditional grantmaking. Its strategy is rooted in long-term partnership and impact measurement. By aligning Cencora’s corporate strengths—such as logistics, technology, and data analytics—with the mission-driven work of nonprofit partners, the Foundation creates a multiplier effect. This synergy not only strengthens individual programs but also contributes to the development of more robust healthcare ecosystems around the world.
In recent years, the Foundation has significantly expanded its programming, including through the launch of its Healthier Futures grant initiative and ongoing support for animal health, disaster response, and community-based health interventions. The focus remains on catalyzing innovative models that can scale and serve as blueprints for other regions and sectors.
The 2024 Nonprofit Partner Conference reinforced this vision, with participants leaving the event energized, better connected, and armed with new tools to continue their work. For many attendees, the greatest value came not just from the funding announcements or the expert panels, but from the opportunity to engage deeply with peers tackling similar challenges, and to collectively reimagine what equitable healthcare can look like.
As healthcare systems across the globe grapple with increasing pressures—from climate change to rising health inequities to post-pandemic recovery—the importance of collaborative, cross-sector action has never been more apparent. The Cencora Impact Foundation’s continued investment in building bridges between private sector capabilities and nonprofit innovation sets a powerful example for how business can be a force for good.
By fostering a space for shared learning, elevating frontline voices, and funding targeted, high-impact projects, the Foundation is helping to break down barriers and pave the way for healthier futures—one community at a time.
“When we work together, we don’t just create temporary solutions—we lay the groundwork for enduring systems that improve health and dignity for all,” Anderson concluded. “That’s the heart of our mission.”
