Highmark BluePrints for the Community - Large/Statewide Grants is sponsored by Delaware Community Foundation (DCF). Funding for health-related projects addressing critical community needs in Delaware, with grants awarded quarterly.

Highmark BluePrints for the Community invests over $600,000 in community health initiatives Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Highmark BluePrints for the Community invests over $600,000 in community health initiatives Wilmington, Del.

(February 24, 2026) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Delaware (Highmark Delaware) is proud to invest in eight Delaware community-based organizations through the large grant cycle of BluePrints for the Community, a grant program of the Highmark Delaware Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation.

“BluePrints for the Community is a cornerstone of Highmark’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of all Delawareans,” said Tim Vessel, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Delaware. “It is through strategic collaborations and meaningful investments like these that, together with our nonprofits, we help our communities thrive today and into the future.

” BluePrints for the Community funds two grant cycles per year – one large and one small for requests over and less than $50,000, respectively. The large grant cycle invests in significant one-time initiatives, while the small grant cycle supports ongoing needs and small-scale projects. The next small grant cycle opens February 9, 2026.

Delaware nonprofits can find eligibility details and application materials on the DCF grants page . Applications must be submitted through the DCF grants portal by April 1, 2026. “Grants from Highmark through the BluePrints for the Community program have been a staple of community healthcare funding in Delaware for almost twenty years,” said Stuart Comstock-Gay, President and CEO of the Delaware Community Foundation.

“We are honored to support these eight organizations making a tangible difference in the lives of Delawareans.

” Since the BluePrints grants program launched in 2007, it has awarded over $40 million in grants to support initiatives across five key areas: advancing access for all to quality healthcare; reducing unemployment, food insecurity, and housing instability; connecting people to social and community resources that promote health and well-being; improving neighborhoods and environments to ensure health and safety; and recruiting and training healthcare professionals.

“BluePrints for the Community remains committed to supporting initiatives that drive healthier outcomes statewide,” said Rita Landgraf, chair of BluePrints for the Community Advisory Council. “We are proud to support our nonprofit partners in taking on the root causes of health disparities in Delaware.

” BluePrints large grants awarded in 2025: Milton and Hattie Kutz Home Inc received support to establish the Kutz Elder Abuse Sanctuary Health Literacy Council of Delaware’s “Improving Health Literacy after the Healthcare Encounter for Communities” program aims to improve health literacy statewide Social Finance, Inc. will support families experiencing homelessness in New Castle County through its Family HOPE Project Milford Housing Development Corp’s Healthy and Resilient Communities Program will make home and neighborhood improvements to reduce health risks Community Education Building is giving access to mental health support for 800 CEB students and their families Jewish Family Services of Delaware is hosting statewide mental health groups and therapeutic community events Impact Community Supports INC will provide resources through YouthConnect360, a referral program for students facing substance use, behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenges Toivoa Coaching Academy is providing training for mental health coaches to support patients with chronic illnesses Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Delaware serves approximately 500,000 members through the company’s health care benefits business.

It is an influential company in the market generating an economic impact of $135 million and supporting more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.

highmarkbcbsde. com. The Delaware Community Foundation — Make More Possible™ The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) stands at the intersection of generosity and community transformation.

We manage charitable funds, advise donors and grant to nonprofits to cultivate the future of philanthropy in Delaware. Our mission is to expand opportunity for all by helping individuals, families, businesses and organizations focus their generosity where it can create the greatest impact statewide.

Through convening, connecting, providing leadership on important issues and investing in community needs, we empower Delawareans to build a stronger, more vibrant future. Learn more at delcf. org or call 302.

571. 8004. For more information, contact denee.

crumrine@highmarkhealth.

org 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.