Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Buffalo, N.Y. (February 18, 2025) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield today announced the opening of its eighth annual Blue Fund grant cycle, offering nonprofit organizations the opportunity to apply for major grants ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 to support vital community health initiatives.
Since its inception in 2018, the Blue Fund, part of Highmark's Bright Blue Futures community giving and involvement program, has awarded more than $24.5 million to over 100 organizations.
This year's funding cycle continues this commitment, focusing on impactful projects addressing key health priorities, including behavioral health, cardiovascular health, healthcare workforce development, healthy children, and maternal health. Blue Fund’s key health areas are based on public health studies, Highmark claims data, and input from community leaders.
“The Blue Fund drives significant improvements in health and well-being by empowering the dedicated frontline organizations working directly in our community,” said Michael Ball, vice president, community affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “As a not-for-profit health plan, these strategic partnerships amplify our impact and enable greater positive change than we could alone.”
Eligible organizations must be based in one of the eight counties in Western New York, have a proven track record, and be prepared to implement their initiatives immediately. Prior to completing the Blue Fund Application, organizations are encouraged to review the program guidelines, which can be found on the company’s website.
Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit a brief letter of intent (LOI) by March 17, 2025 through Highmark’s online application system. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. Funding decisions will be announced in the fall of 2025.
Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to visit Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Fund website.
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is a trade name of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc., independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Since 1936, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has helped millions of people lead healthier lives. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield 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. 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.
About Blue Fund
Blue Fund, funded solely by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, awards major grants in Western New York annually, to organizations and initiatives that have a positive impact on key health areas and will demonstrate enhanced measurable outcomes for community health metrics. These include behavioral health, cardiovascular health, diabetes, health care workforce development, healthy children and maternal health. Blue Fund is part of Highmark’s Bright Blue Futures community giving and involvement program.
For more information, contact
Amber Hartmann
716-208-9534
Amber.Hartmann@highmarkhealth.com
