Highmark Delaware commits $200,000 to Delaware COVID-19 initiative

Wilmington, Del. (April 3, 2020) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware announced today a $200,000 BluePrints for the Community contribution to the Delaware COVID-19 Emergency Response Initiative, to meet the needs of the individuals, families and organizations that are experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis.

"Now more than ever, it is crucial that organizations positioned to help our community do so in a collaborative and meaningful way. This initiative aims to identify and address immediate needs around safety, health and wellness, and food and housing insecurity, as well building the path we need to move forward and out of this challenging time," said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Shield Delaware.

The Delaware COVID-19 Emergency Response Initiative is being coordinated by Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA), Delaware Community Foundation (DCF), Philanthropy Delaware (PD), and the United Way of Delaware (UWDE), and consists of two funds:

• Delaware Does More COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund: The fund will focus on alleviating the near-term impact of COVID-19 by working to supplement and support efforts related to children in low-income households, the working poor and seniors.
• Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund: The fund will target emerging and evolving needs of the state's most-impacted communities, for the longer term needs of our community.

Highmark Delaware's contribution from its donor-advised fund, BluePrints for the Community, will be divided evenly between the two funds at $100,000 each.

"We look forward to joining our business and community partners in serving those who need it most and commend the efforts of all involved," said Moriello.

To learn more about this initiative, apply for funding, or to contribute, visit www.delcf.org/coronavirus, or any of the partnering organizations' websites.

As an enterprise, Highmark Inc. announced a total of $2 million in grants from Highmark's community giving program, Highmark Foundation in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, including Highmark Delaware's commitment.

"Our company's history is based on helping communities in time of need. And there's no greater time than now," said Dan Onorato, executive vice president of Corporate Affairs at Highmark Health. "The coronavirus has presented our entire nation with issues never faced by any of us in our lifetimes. Our contributions are designed to tap into organizations that are making a difference and help to sustain their work in these unprecedented circumstances."