Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) supports non-profit organizations working to improve health equity in divested communities throughout the state.
Donor Name: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/10/2023
Size of the Grant: $25,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
Focus
BCBSIL is committed to understanding the social, economic, and behavioral drivers of health, not only in clinical settings, but the myriad factors that address community-wide, population-level health issues and improve health outcomes. They are interested in the innovative ways that health and human service providers are responding to health needs, improving access and overall health equity in divested communities throughout the state. Health outcomes do not rest solely upon medical interventions; they also depend upon basic needs and the social determinants of health (SDOH) – including housing stabilization and support, education, food security, safety and anti-violence measures, employment, transportation, and access to culturally competent healthcare providers – all of which, either facilitate health benefits or create challenges to the quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.
Approach
This year, BCBSIL launches its Blue Impact grant program, which is their refreshed community investment strategy focused on SDOH to directly target the social and economic factors that play a role in health and wellness. BCBSIL is interested in learning how local organizations understand the health needs of its constituents in order to develop and implement strategies to improve those conditions and reduce the disparities, racial injustice and the social conditions that impact health outcomes. BCBSIL will consider providing grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on:
- Economic Opportunity and Stability: Addressing issues such as poverty, removing barriers to employment, providing good jobs and upskilling.
- Nutrition: Supporting efforts to decrease hunger and increase access to nutritious food.
- Neighborhood and Built Environment: Focusing on affordable healthy housing, access to transportation and access to physical activity.
- Locally Defined Health Solutions: Addressing hyperlocal health and human service needs, community collaborations that improve community wellbeing, interrupt violence, or build peaceful communities.
- Optimal Health Outcomes: Helping close gaps in care, specifically around six priority areas: immunizations, diabetes care, cardiovascular care, behavioral health, early detection cancer screening and maternal and infant health and reproductive health justice.
Funding Information
- Awarded grants range from $25,000 to $100,000. Requests should stay within this range to be considered for funding.
- Funding is for one year (12 months).
- The Blue Impact grant program year will run from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
All organizations must meet the following criteria to be considered for a grant from BCBSIL:
- Services provided in the state of Illinois
- Incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and has been delivering services for at least one year at the time of application submission
- Established as a 501(c)(3) and in compliance with federal and state regulations and requirements
- Operates under a non-discrimination policy
- Governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors in which Board members are not compensated for service
For more information, visit BCBSIL.
