Funds part of $5 million committed for storm recovery

(Baton Rouge, LA) —The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation has granted more than $3 million to nonprofits across the state working to meet the needs of communities rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

Efforts supported through Foundation grant funding include:

  • $200,000 for providing food to kids, financially insecure families and seniors
  • $750,000 to provide support for resource coordination efforts and direct financial assistance for families
  • $1 million to support hands-on rebuilding operations and housing assistance
  • $950,000 for regional groups organizing disaster response in communities across Louisiana, and support of nonprofits through community relief funds operated by local community foundations

“This has been a remarkably challenging year for the state of Louisiana – from COVID impacts to multiple natural disasters,” said Michael Tipton, President of the Blue Cross Foundation. “We’re glad to be able to partner with colleagues throughout the state to help meet the immediate needs of people impacted by this terrible storm, and to help support the long-term rebuilding of the region to health and prosperity in the months to come.”

Tipton shares more about the Foundation’s commitment to communities across Louisiana in times of crisis in this video (2:09).

Since 2020, the Foundation has committed $15 million in disaster response grant funding and delivered more than $13 million to nonprofits and community organizations across the state. In addition to Hurricane Ida relief, this includes work related to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing needs and relief work for Hurricane Laura, which devastated southwest Louisiana last year.

 

About Community Crisis and Disaster Response Grants

The Foundation has committed $5 million for nonprofits meeting the needs of Louisianians who have been affected by Hurricane Ida. Qualifying work can include immediate needs like food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and more. Grants can also be used to meet more long-term needs such as ongoing patient care navigation, economic recovery efforts and more.

Grants amounts are $250,000 for nonprofits working in parishes that are part of a federal disaster declaration and up to $50,000 for nonprofits outside of those designated parishes. Community Crisis and Disaster Response Grants support general operating costs if those costs are in support of relief efforts.

The Foundation continues to process grant applications daily. The full request for proposals, as well as the application for the grant program are online at www.bcbslafoundation.org/disastergrants

About the Blue Cross Foundation

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation works each day to improve the health and lives of Louisianians by empowering everyday people to do extraordinary good. By building and funding coalitions of friends, families and neighbors, the Foundation hopes to build a healthier Louisiana, particularly for its children. The Foundation is funded solely by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, but is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. Together, Blue Cross and the Blue Cross Foundation invest $3.5 million each year into Louisiana’s communities and nonprofits.

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