Tuesday, January 02, 2024
Investments Benefit Organizations and Initiatives Committed to Advancing Health Equity and Outcomes
Buffalo, N.Y. (January 2, 2024) — Through Highmark Bright Blue Futures charitable giving and community involvement program, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that its 2023 community investments totaled $8.2 million in support of more than 200 non-profit organizations and initiatives to advance health equity and outcomes.
“Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has a long legacy of investing in programs and partnerships that enhance the health of our community,” said Michael Ball, vice president, community affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “Our affiliation with Highmark Health has allowed us to strengthen our community investments, and tailor our giving to address both the most immediate and greatest long-term needs.”
A significant majority of funding came through the health plan’s health focused grant program, Blue Fund, a Highmark Bright Blue Futures program. Through Blue Fund, the health plan awarded $6.5 million to 22 major health-based projects in western and northeastern New York. The annual grant program is designed to improve health outcomes and equity in the areas of behavioral health, cardiovascular health, health care workforce development, maternal health, and healthy children.
Community focused partnerships and sponsorships, and employee giving also contributed to the total. In 2023, beyond monetary donations, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield employees collectively volunteered 1,600 hours — a 64% increase over volunteerism in the year prior. Representatives from the company attribute the increase to a new benefit which provides up to 8 hours of paid time for employees to volunteer.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s local investments support programs that aim to improve the overall health and well-being of the community, close gaps in health disparities, reduce the prevalence of specific diseases and promote health education. Over the past five years, the health plan contributed more than $35 million to more than 1,000 organizations across Western New York through corporate partnerships and its Blue Fund.
Organizations interested in learning more about Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s corporate giving should visit Highmark Bright Blue Futures | Corporate Giving.
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is a trade name of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Since 1936, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has helped millions of people lead healthier lives. The health plan offers a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield employs more than 1,400 people and serves as a key economic driver in the region. As a community-based, not-for-profit health plan, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield contributes significantly to organizations that strengthen and enrich the health of the community.
For more information, contact
Amber M. Hartmann
716-208-9534
Amber.Hartmann@highmarkhealth.org
