Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Latham, N.Y. (February 18, 2025) — As part of Highmark’s Bright Blue Futures community giving and involvement program, Highmark Blue Shield today announced the opening of its eighth annual Blue Fund grant cycle, offering nonprofit organizations the opportunity to apply for major grants to support vital community health initiatives.
This year's funding cycle continues the health plan’s long-time community 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 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 or more of the following 13 counties: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington. 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.
About Highmark Blue Shield
Highmark 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 1946, Highmark Blue has helped millions of people lead healthier lives. Highmark 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 Shield contributes significantly to organizations that strengthen and enrich the health of the community.
About Blue Fund
Blue Fund, funded solely by Highmark Blue Shield, awards major grants in the Capital Region 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, 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
