The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation is now accepting letters of intent for its Fall 2025 Health Innovation Grants, formerly known as SPARK Grants. These one-year grants are available to nonprofits, municipalities, and school districts across North Dakota.
The grants range from $10,000 to $100,000 and are designed to support new or expanding community-based well-being programs that are innovative and replicable. The goal is to foster collaboration, increase community engagement, and create lasting, meaningful change.
Examples of projects include implementing homeless and behavioral health prevention services, expanding farm-to-school programs to provide access to fresh local foods and hands-on learning, and launching recovery education programs to reduce stigma.
The grants aim to invest in initiatives that improve health habits and lifestyles, strengthen partnerships and coalitions, and expand local efforts to improve health access and outcomes. Funding generally ranges between $15,000 and $50,000 per project.
Eligible applicants must be North Dakota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipal entities like park boards or public health departments, or school systems. Organizations must submit a letter of intent and will be notified within 4 to 6 weeks if they are invited to apply. Applications are by invitation only, and submitting does not guarantee funding.
To qualify, projects must promote health and well-being in North Dakota, demonstrate collaboration with community stakeholders, align with evidence-based practices, and show potential for long-term sustainability. Examples of eligible initiatives include reducing recidivism, expanding inclusive physical education, increasing access to nutritious food through local markets, and providing mental health support to underserved communities.
For more information, visit BCBSND.
