About Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grants

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.

     

    Grant Details

    • 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.

     

Download the full RFP