named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
#ProtectNurses
Public awareness campaign highlighting the need for PPE and protections for nurses on the frontlines during the pandemic.
Elect New Senate Heroes
Political campaign targeting vulnerable GOP senators, including Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, to replace them with champions of health justice.
Expanding Access to Home and Community-Based Services
Grassroots campaign using personal stories and multi-state advertising to advocate for full federal funding of home care services for seniors and people with disabilities.
Kavanaugh Fight
Crowdfunded campaign threatening to support future opponents of Senator Susan Collins if she voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, raising $4.1 million toward that goal.
Masks for America
Partnership to raise funds and deliver over 160,000 N95 masks to hospitals during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reclaiming Medicare From Corporate Greed
Advocacy initiative exposing harms of Medicare Advantage plans by amplifying stories of denied or delayed care and organizing public pressure on regulators and lawmakers.
Summer of Heroes
National tour in 2018 where Ady Barkan traveled 22 states in 40 days to confront members of Congress and share stories of healthcare injustice.
Uncovered: Health Care Conversations with Ady Barkan
Series of interviews with Democratic presidential candidates conducted via eye-gaze technology, focusing on healthcare policy and personal impact.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
-
Distribution of PPE and Crisis Supplies 1 activity
- Direct distribution of medical supplies during emergenciesDelivered over 160,000 N95 masks to hospitals in need through partnerships with grassroots activists during public health emergencies.
-
-
Human Rights Advocacy Funding 1 activity
- Funding small-dollar donations to Democratic political candidatesRaises and distributes small-dollar donations to support Democratic candidates in federal elections, including a $4.1 million campaign to defeat Senator Susan Collins in 2020.
-
-
Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Production of candidate policy interviews and public dialogue on healthcareProduces and publishes personal interviews with major Democratic presidential candidates on healthcare policy, conducted by Ady Barkan using eye-gaze technology to amplify public discourse.
-
-
Healthcare Policy Advocacy 1 activity
- Public education and engagement on U.S. healthcare system issuesEngages and educates the public on fundamental issues related to the U.S. healthcare system, including through grassroots organizing and public advocacy campaigns.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.40M
Contributions & grants$1.40M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$497K
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead25%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$278K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.41M
Cash$181K
Investments$0
Liabilities$132K
Net assets$1.28M
Liquid reserves4.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +151.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMILA HEADLEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 10 | $235K |
| LEAH BOUDREAUX | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 9 | $141K |
| MAY AYAD | CREATIVE CONTENT DIRECTOR | 9 | $113K |
board members · 4
- KARUNDI WILLIAMS — TREASURER
- LINSA SARSOUR — DIRECTOR
- SARAH JOHNSON — CHAIR
- SASHA BRUCE — SECRETARY
relationships · 4
Who they work with
- Ady Barkan Partner — Co-founded Be A Hero in 2018 and inspired its mission through personal experience with the healthcare system.
- Jamila Headley Partner — Executive Director of Be A Hero and movement leader shaping the organization's current direction.
- Liz Jaff Partner — Co-founded Be A Hero in 2018.
- Masks for America Partner — Partnered with grassroots activists from Masks for America to deliver N95 masks to hospitals during the pandemic.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Civic Education as a Foundation for Healthcare Reformmethodology: civic_educationBy engaging and educating the public on systemic healthcare issues, we generate awareness and support for reform because informed citizens are more likely to participate in advocacy and demand policy change.
- Grassroots Advocacy Through Lived Experiencemethodology: grassroots_advocacyBy organizing individuals directly harmed by the healthcare system, we shift the political debate and create opportunities for systemic change because personal experience lends authenticity, urgency, and moral authority to advocacy efforts.
- People-Powered Fundraising to Sustain Advocacymethodology: people_powered_fundraisingBy relying on grassroots, small-dollar fundraising, we maintain independence and build broad-based support for electoral challenges because financial decentralization strengthens movement legitimacy and resilience.
- Story-Based Advocacy for Policy Influencemethodology: story_based_advocacyBy using personal narratives of harm caused by for-profit healthcare systems, we influence policymakers and drive public advocacy because emotional, relatable stories humanize systemic issues and motivate action more effectively than data alone.
- Strategic Electoral Targeting for Systemic Reformmethodology: strategic_electoral_targetingBy targeting high-impact Senate races and supporting progressive candidates, we advance healthcare access because replacing key opposition figures creates legislative momentum for systemic change.