(Baton Rouge, LA) — In the last quarter of 2022, the board of directors of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana approved a number of grant projects totaling $925,000. All of the projects reflect the Foundation’s priorities in affecting the social determinants of health to improve the lives of Louisianians.

Those organizations receiving grant funds are:

  • Louisiana Association of United Ways to expand its 211 Ride United Transportation program. In any market with Lyft rideshare available, anyone with a health need to who doesn’t have reliable transportation will be able to get a ride to and from appointments.
  • Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier, Inc. to provide women with professional workforce development skills and attire to enter the workforce. Dress for Success will create a mobile unit that will travel throughout northwest Louisiana.
  • Louvis Services to provide wraparound health services to people experiencing homelessness. Louvis’ Fats Domino tiny homes will include housing, supportive services, and an edible landscape program.
  • Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR), Inc. to expand awareness of its Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund , which provides matching state funds to local organizations for early childhood support.
  • Agenda for Children to support community input and strategic planning for Orleans Parish’s $435 million early childhood millage, which voters passed in April 2022.
  • Heritage Ranch and The Life of a Single Mom to design and launch a crisis navigation, family coaching, and parent support program for families in need, particularly families of single mothers. Both organizations are led by former Angel Award honorees.
  • Louisiana Central to increase awareness and readiness for healthcare careers among 6th-12th grade students, teachers, counselors, and parents. This program is co-funded with the Rapides Foundation.
  • Peer Initiative Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) to expand its mentoring and education programming that equips teens to identify and support peers considering suicide and connect them with mental health services. This program is collaboration of past Angel Award honorees.

“Louisiana’s nonprofits are an essential part of improving public health. They often step up to provide services for people without a lot of options,” said Michael Tipton, president of the Blue Cross Foundation. “We are proud to be a small part of the work of these important organizations who are providing lifechanging care and services.”

The Blue Cross Foundation has made more than $27 million in grants since 2020, when it allocated $15 million to meet the needs of people affected by COVID-19 shutdowns and natural disasters. The Foundation has also accelerated its overall grantmaking in programs that affect the social determinants of health — factors like housing, food access, education and employment that have proven links to health outcomes.

Grant seekers can find more information about the Foundation’s grantmaking programs online at www.bcbslafoundation.org.

About the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana 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. Since 2020, Blue Cross and the Blue Cross Foundation invested more than $27 million in Louisiana’s communities and nonprofits with programs and services reaching 6.4 million Louisianians.

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