The 2025 Investing in the Health of the Upper Peninsula Request for Proposal program aims to support initiatives that address prominent health issues in the Upper Peninsula, including programs that address the unique health needs of the region’s aging population.
Donor Name: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
State: Michigan
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/11/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
All Upper Peninsula counties have higher percentages of people 65 or older (23%) than the state of Michigan’s average (18%). Older adults face a complex set of needs and must balance increased isolation and loneliness, increased health concerns, service shortages, lack of transportation options and decreased mobility. Since the chronic disease burden is higher in older adults, they can be expected to have greater needs for home health services, assisted living and nursing home care. Conversely, many communities will face declining tax bases, reduced services and a lack of younger caregivers for the aging population.
The BCBSM Foundation, Superior Health Foundation and Michigan Health Endowment Fund have identified priority areas for this request for proposal program:
- Access to care initiatives that increase utilization of primary, behavioral, palliative care or other services for older adults, with a focus on enhanced coordination of care.
- Workforce development programs with a special emphasis on training or expanding availability of community health workers or mental health providers.
- Innovative or evidence-based chronic disease prevention programs.
- Caregiving initiatives that improve the health or quality of life of family caregivers of older adults with a focus on innovative respite models and increased retention rates of professional caregivers supporting older adults.
- Innovative programs that aim to reduce isolation and loneliness among older adults.
- Health literacy initiatives that aim to empower individuals and providers to learn and communicate about available services and needs, and ultimately lead to more-informed health-related decisions.
- Organizations focused on data collection, analysis, evaluation or capacity building projects.
Funding Information
BCBSM Foundation anticipates awarding grants up to $50,000. Applicants may apply for a 12- or 24- month grant, but the total request is limited to $50,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Nonprofits, including hospitals and universities, are eligible to apply. Additionally, applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization, have headquarters based in Michigan and serve Upper Peninsula residents.
For more information, visit BCBSM.
