Blue Fund Grant Program

Blue Fund Grant Program is sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York. Invests in initiatives that improve health and sustainability in the community, focusing on eliminating health disparities and supporting social determinants of health.

Highmark Blue Fund - Northeastern New York Grant Program Highmark BCBS Blue Fund (Western NY) Highmark Blue Fund (Northeastern NY) Highmark Blue Shield (Northeastern New York) is committed to eliminating health disparities and improving the health of the communities we serve in the Capital Region. From innovative businesses to vibrant downtowns, the Capital Region continues to rise to the challenge.

We see this pivotal moment as an opportunity. Blue Fund contributes to the wider strategy of our company-wide Highmark Bright Blue Futures initiative, our charitable giving and community involvement program. As an enterprise, we believe our working in partnership with communities and providers within our footprint is critical to achieve lasting positive outcomes.

The Blue Fund grant cycle is closed for submissions. Performance and reporting Blue Fund will consider grant requests that address at least one or more of the following key health focus areas: Health care workforce development Highmark Blue Shield (Northeastern NY) is committed to eliminating health disparities while improving the health, wellness, and resilience of families, individuals, and communities in our region.

We’re looking to partner strategically with nonprofits that are improving racial and health equity, including supporting social determinants of health in under-resourced communities. Proposals for funding may include requests to support capital and/or program-related project costs. Capital campaign requests must be at least 75% toward project goal.

Applicants should demonstrate how the proposal will deepen and broaden current work, by facilitating the expansion of an effective program, or creating a new program based on the success of earlier work or evidence-based best practices. Blue Fund has a two-step grant application process. Applicants must submit a brief letter of intent (LOI) using Blue Fund’s online application system in accordance with the published timeline.

Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Hard copy, emailed, or PDF applications will not be accepted. Performance tracking and reporting will be required using our online system.

In order to qualify for Blue Fund grants, the proposed work must serve or be located in one or more of the following 13 counties: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington. Your organization must be classified as a tax-exempt nonprofit under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code or an educational or government entity with tax-exempt status.

Any one organization may submit one letter of intent (LOI) maximum. Grants may provide support to eligible organizations and projects for up to two years depending on project/program design, scale, and budget. Organizations that have an active Blue Fund grant are not eligible to apply for funding during this cycle.

Funding amount and budget Minimum grant request is $100,000; maximum grant request is $300,000. Applicants may request up to 15% of the grant amount for indirect costs. Expenses incurred prior to submission of a Blue Fund application should not be included in Blue Fund project budgets; they are not eligible for payment or reimbursement.

The proposed project or program should not begin, and expenses should not be incurred, before a funding decision has been communicated by Blue Fund to the applicant. Blue Fund reserves the right to pay grants in a single installment or in multiple disbursements. Performance and reporting Grantees must have the capacity to track performance and report measurable outcome results as agreed upon by Blue Fund on a regular and timely basis.

Blue Fund reserves the right to conduct an independent evaluation of grant expenditures for up to four years. The grantee agrees to provide the information necessary to complete such an evaluation. Failure to submit requested information in a timely fashion may obligate the grantee to refund the grant.

The failure of an applicant to properly close out a grant in a timely manner will be a factor when considering new grant applications. We do not fund political campaigns, exclusively religious activities, or efforts that do not align with one or more Blue Fund focus areas.

Attendance at or sponsorship of fundraising events for organizations, annual events or festivals, and the use of grant funds for purposes not pre-approved by Blue Fund or not supported through required documentation will not be funded. Media and public announcements Blue Fund is no longer accepting applications for 2024. Stay tuned for next year's grant cycle.

Stay updated with the latest news and frequently asked questions. FAQs for grant applicants Northeastern NY Blue Fund News Do you have more questions? We have the answers.

Find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about Blue Fund eligibility, applying and more. If you do not see your question here, please contact us directly.

Non Discrimination Policy Electronic Data Interchange CMS’s Interoperability Rule Non Discrimination Policy Electronic Data Interchange CMS’s Interoperability Rule Network Access & Adequacy Network Access & Adequacy All references to “Highmark” in this document are references to the Highmark company that is providing the member’s health benefits or health benefit administration and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Shield are Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and/or Part D plans with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal. Highmark Wholecare offers HMO plans with a Medicare Contract.

Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal. Highmark Health Options Duals offers HMO plans with a Medicare Contract. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal.

®Blue Cross, Blue Shield and the Cross and Shield symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

The following entities, which serve the noted regions, are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association: Western and Northeastern PA: Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Health Insurance Company, Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc., Highmark Benefits Group Inc., First Priority Health, First Priority Life Insurance Company, Highmark Care Benefits Inc., Highmark Senior Health Company, or Gateway Health Plan, Inc. d/b/a Highmark Wholecare.

Central and Southeastern PA: Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield, Highmark Benefits Group Inc., Highmark Health Insurance Company, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Senior Health Company, or Gateway Health Plan, Inc. d/b/a Highmark Wholecare. PA: Your plan may not cover all your health care expenses. Read your plan materials carefully to determine which health care services are covered.

For more information, call the number on the back of your member ID card or, if not a member, call 866-459-4418. Delaware: Highmark BCBSD Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark BCBSD Health Options Inc. d/b/a Highmark Health Options. Highmark Health Options Duals is offered by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

West Virginia: Highmark West Virginia Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Health Insurance Company, Highmark Senior Solutions Company, or Highmark Health Options West Virginia Inc. d/b/a Highmark Health Options and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Highmark Health Options Duals is offered by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Visit https://www.

highmarkbcbswv. com/networkaccessplan to view the Access Plan required by the Health Benefit Plan Network Access and Adequacy Act. You may also request a copy by contacting us at the number on the back of your ID card.

Western NY: Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Northeastern NY: Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield.