Highmark Delaware invests over $1 million to support health

Wilmington, Del. (December 14, 2023) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware is pleased to announce $1,200,000 in BluePrints for the Community grants, bringing its total commitment for 2023 to more than $3.8 million.

BluePrints for the Community is a grants program of the Highmark Delaware Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF). Since BluePrints launched in 2007, the Highmark Delaware Fund has invested more than $38 million in initiatives to improve health outcomes throughout the entire state.

"Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield remains dedicated to collaborating with our nonprofits to improve health throughout Delaware," said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware. "We are grateful for the thoughtful and impactful work being led by our community-based organizations."

BluePrints aims to increase access to care and reduce health disparities throughout the state. Supported programs and projects typically demonstrate progress in one of the following focus areas: healthcare access, economic stability for families and individuals, social and community context, neighborhood and built environment, and health workforce.

“As we close 2023 and reflect on the investments made through BluePrints in support of healthier outcomes across our state, I commend the commitment of our nonprofits and community leaders who are meaningfully addressing health access and health inequities," said Rita Landgraf, Chair of the BluePrints for the Community Advisory Council.

BluePrints grants awarded in this current round were:

• Endless Possibilities in the Community, Inc: Expand EPIC’s “no walls” community-based wellness program that supports the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities through meaningful, self-determined inclusive fitness and social skills activities at local YMCAs.
• TidalHealth: Attract and retain physicians in southern Delaware through a Graduate Medical Education Program to provide quality care, improve population health and access to healthcare in the community.
• Catholic Charities – Diocese of Wilmington: Provide access to behavioral health counseling for the un/underinsured.
• The Challenge Program: Provide mental health counseling workshops to high-risk young adults with history of chronic stress and trauma who are in the Challenge Program woodworking program.
• AltruVision: Improve the overall health and well-being of our local community by providing access to sight-restoring corneal transplants.

“Highmark Delaware’s commitment to advancing health equity in Delaware is truly outstanding,” remarked Stuart Comstock-Gay, President and CEO of DCF. “Their partnership is instrumental in addressing the critical needs of communities throughout the First State.”

Please see the fourth quarter report for details on each award.