Before You Apply

Eligibility

Learn more about the criteria to be considered for a foundation grant.

Have a question? Send us an email.

If you have a question about our grants or a potential project, email us at BCBSLAFoundation@bcbsla.com.

Grants

 

Grant Fund Information


The mission of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is to promote the wellness and well-being of Louisianians by supporting health- or education-related causes. We currently make grants for health outcomes through the following funds:

  • New Horizons Grant

    Up to $25,000

    New Horizons Grants support innovative approaches that either solve or more effectively address existing issues related to health or community well-being.

    A New Horizons Grant project could include, but is not limited to:

    • Creating a resource that doesn’t currently exist;
    • Creating and/or piloting a service that doesn’t currently exist;
    • Taking an existing resource or service that isn’t currently effective and implementing it in a new way or field; or
    • Conducting research that has not been conducted to date.


    Grant Details
    • Amount – Up to $25,000
    • Length – One year
    • # of Payments – One payment
    • Matched funds required? – No
    • Eligible Organizations – Louisiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
    • How to Apply – Fill out the online Letter of Intent form
    • Letter of Intent Deadlines – March 1, June 1, Sept. 1 and Dec. 1
  • Special Projects Grants

    Up to $100,000

    Special Project Grants support organizations that are looking to increase their community impact. They may focus on any number of issues affecting Louisiana’s health or community well-being.

    Specifically, these grants are meant to help organizations:

    • Complete an existing project previously funded by the Foundation; or
    • Strategically expand current efforts or implement new efforts based on a clear evidence of need and solid data.

    Grant Details
    • Amount – Up to $100,000
    • Length – One year
    • # of Payments – One payment
    • Matched funds required? – No
    • Eligible Organizations – Louisiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
    • How to Apply – Fill out the online Letter of Intent form
    • Letter of Intent Deadlines – March 1, June 1, Sept. 1 and Dec. 1
  • Collective Impact Grants

    Up to $1 Million

    Following the success of our first collective impact grant program – Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana – the Foundation recognized that collaboration among community partners is the key to making long-term changes in the trends of Louisiana’s overall health. That’s why we’re challenging communities across Louisiana to work together to tackle their most pressing issues.

    Collective Impact Grants support community-wide efforts addressing complex issues in Louisiana. Proposals may cover a wide range of issues in health or well-being to meet the unique needs of each community.

    Examples of focus areas could include, but are not limited to: heart disease, diabetes, mental health, obesity, or disparities in access, quality or cost.

    Through Collective Impact Grants, the Foundation will help Louisiana communities reshape their environments to support healthy lives for all.


    Grant Details
    • Amount – Up to $1,000,000
    • Length – Three Years (typically)
    • # of Payments – Multiple. Payments are made based on performance and meeting annual benchmarks.
    • Matched funds required? – Yes, a 1:1 match is required. Up to 50% of the match may be given in-kind.
    • Eligible Organizations – Louisiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
    • How to Apply – Fill out the online Letter of Intent form
    • Letter of Intent Deadlines – March 1, June 1, Sept. 1 and Dec. 1

    Focus Areas

    While each Louisiana community is unique in its challenges around health and well-being, the Foundation recognizes important focus areas that are widespread across the state. Click on the link below to learn more about each area of interest.


    Grant Evaluator RFP

    While each Louisiana community is unique in its challenges around health and well-being, the Foundation recognizes important focus areas that are widespread across the state. Click on the link below to learn more about each area of interest.

  • Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grants

    Amount Varies

    The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Louisianans with a specific emphasis on kids of high need and community level efforts to improve wellness and wellbeing. In times of disaster and crisis, we recognize the importance of front-line organizations who meet immediate needs and help communities and families recover.

    The Foundation does not normally offer general operating support through its grant programs. However, we know that disaster and crisis response call for more flexibility to meet community needs. We are interested in both immediate needs (food security, housing, etc.) and medium-term needs (family economic recovery) being addressed for those in need across the state of Louisiana as these directly tie to the health, wellness, and wellbeing of communities in the short and long term.

    The ideal proposal will also help us clearly understand what you are doing to mitigate community concerns and how you will define success.


    Grant Details

    The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Louisianans with a specific emphasis on kids of high need and community level efforts to improve wellness and wellbeing. In times of disaster and crisis, we recognize the importance of front-line organizations who meet immediate needs and help communities and families recover.The Foundation does not normally offer general operating support through its grant programs. However, we know that disaster and crisis response call for more flexibility to meet community needs. We are interested in both immediate needs (food security, housing, etc.) and medium-term needs (family economic recovery) being addressed for those in need across the state of Louisiana as these directly tie to the health, wellness, and wellbeing of communities in the short and long term.The ideal proposal will also help us clearly understand what you are doing to mitigate community concerns and how you will define success.

    • Purpose We offer Community Crisis & Disaster Response grants to help non-profits and other community partners address the immediate community needs after a disaster or crisis. The funds may be used for specific programs or as general operating support to continue supporting vulnerable communities after a disaster. As of Sept. 2, 2021, the Blue Cross Foundation has allocated funding under this grant program to respond to the impacts of Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, other recent natural disasters, and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on the state of Louisiana.
    • Eligibility – Louisiana-based, 501(c)(3) organizations working to support those directly impacted by a recent, declared disaster or crisis may apply. Louisiana-based 501(c) 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 19 organizations may apply provided that their efforts are related to the Foundation’s mission, are similarly supporting those directly impacted by a recent, declared disaster or crisis and if they can demonstrate clearly how this work being supported is otherwise the same as community and charitable work being done by a 501(c)(3) organization.
    • Amount – Up to $50,000. In all cases grants can be used to support general operating costs. The Foundation allocated $15,000,000 related to these efforts.
    • Length of Time – We are looking for projects that can be implemented immediately but also may be executed over time to alleviate specific needs following a disaster or associated with an ongoing community crisis.
    • Applying – Online via our website and an abbreviated application . The application calls for an overview of the organization requesting support, a description of the community and needs being addressed and a high-level outline of what the funds will enable. Competitive organizations and proposals may be asked to share additional details to aid in consideration.
    • Deadlines – Immediate and going, as long as funds allow and there is need.

Have a question? Send us an email.

If you have a question about our grants or a potential project, email us at BCBSLAFoundation@bcbsla.com.