BlueAngel community health grants

At Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, our vision is to improve health and well-being by leading access to high quality, affordable, and equitable care. The BlueAngel Community Health Grant program – an annual, competitive grant program – allows us to further our vision by addressing critical health issues in Rhode Island. We achieve this by partnering with community–based agencies that are trying to improve the health of Rhode Islanders. The BlueAngel Community Health Grant program is the cornerstone of our community investment activities at BCBSRI, and we are proud of the organizations we have worked with, and the results achieved since the program began more than 20 years ago.

BCBSRI is proud to partner with the Brown University School of Public Health on the RI Life Index, an annual statewide survey which captures Rhode Islanders’ perceptions of social determinants of health and well-being. Now in its fifth year, the RI Life Index has consistently demonstrated that access to safe and affordable housing is a significant barrier to Rhode Islanders’ ability to live healthy lives.

The impact of housing on health is widely recognized by policymakers at all levels. BCBSRI is committed to supporting the myriad of innovative ways community- based organizations are responding to our statewide need for safe and affordable housing. By investing in safe and affordable housing, we hope to address inequities and improve health outcomes for all Rhode Islanders.

How to apply

Through our BlueAngel Community Health Grant program, we aim to:

  • Fund organizations and programs that will result in more Rhode Islanders being able to afford safe, healthy, and stable housing.
  • Increase awareness about safe, affordable housing as a shared public concern, underscoring why housing matters and its connection to overall health.
  • Highlight solutions and amplify effective models to support access to safe and affordable housing by funding proven and replicable local- and state-level initiatives, with an emphasis on collaborations across different sectors.

We are particularly interested programs that support people accessing housing in their desired community, such as:

  • Efforts in cities and towns that have not yet met their goal of 10% affordable Low and Moderate-Income Housing stock as set forth by Rhode Island State Law 45-53.
  • Older Rhode Islanders’ ability to age in place.
  • Young people’s ability to build and establish themselves as part of their desired community.

Application Process

  • Rhode Island nonprofit agencies are invited to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)
  • LOIs are reviewed by a BCBSRI LOI Review Subcommittee to determine which programs best fit the criteria of the BACHG program
  • Selected agencies are invited to submit full proposals for funding
  • Site visits are conducted by Community Relations staff with each of the finalist organizations
  • Application and site visit information is provided to the Grant Review Committee to assist in the final review process
  • The 2024 grant application cycle is closed. Funding awards begin in January 2024.

If you have any questions, please email BlueAngel.News@bcbsri.org.

We’re grateful to partner the 2023 BlueAngel Community Health grantees whose programs you can read about here.

FAQ

Organizations are eligible for grants from Blue Cross if they have qualified for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code or are public instrumentalities (e.g., a government entity). Grants are not awarded to individuals. Private foundations [as defined by Section 509(a) of the Code] are not eligible for funding.

Blue Cross provides funding for existing, new, and expanding programs.

Yes, as they relate to a specific program. For instance, we would be unlikely to fund ABC nonprofit’s executive director position, but more likely to fund personnel costs associated with a program (such as a counselor to provide nutrition classes).

An organization may not apply for more than one BlueAngel Community Health grant during the year. Applicants who receive a grant may not submit another letter of intent or proposal for funding the same program within the same year. Applicants who are not approved for funding are welcome to reapply in the next grant cycle.

Blue Cross is not currently making multiyear grant awards. However, applicants who receive funding may apply for second-year transitional funding.

Yes, as long as the proposed effort is not for religious purposes.

Yes. However, we prefer to be a funding partner along with other sources of revenue. We believe an application is strengthened by seeking multiple sources of support (as this is a key indicator of sustainability).

Blue Cross will fund acquisition of equipment as it relates to a specific program, but is unlikely to fund equipment alone. Please note that we typically do not fund construction (e.g., bricks and mortar).

Blue Cross will not fund projects or programs of fraternal or religious organizations where the primary beneficiaries are members of these organizations. We also do not contribute to organizations seeking contributions for advertising space, tickets, or sponsorship of dinners, fundraising events, or promotional materials. Additionally, the BACHG program does not fund requests from hospitals.

No, but we fund agencies that can help individuals.

While Blue Cross does not have a strict policy against indirect costs, we do not look favorably upon applications that request excessive costs in this area. Projects requesting funding for direct service or program-related costs (e.g., supplies, education materials, salaries) are viewed more favorably.

There is no maximum or minimum grant amount. Historically, funding amounts have ranged from $25,000 per year to $75,000 per year.

FAQ

Organizations are eligible for grants from Blue Cross if they have qualified for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code or are public instrumentalities (e.g., a government entity). Grants are not awarded to individuals. Private foundations [as defined by Section 509(a) of the Code] are not eligible for funding.

Blue Cross provides funding for existing, new, and expanding programs.

Yes, as they relate to a specific program. For instance, we would be unlikely to fund ABC nonprofit’s executive director position, but more likely to fund personnel costs associated with a program (such as a counselor to provide classes or housing navigation support services).

An organization may not apply for more than one BlueAngel Community Health grant during the year. Applicants who receive a grant may not submit another letter of intent or proposal for funding the same program within the same year. Applicants who are not approved for funding are welcome to reapply in the next grant cycle.

Blue Cross is not currently making multiyear grant awards. However, applicants who receive funding may apply for second-year transitional funding.

Yes, as long as the proposed effort is not for religious purposes.

Yes. However, we prefer to be a funding partner along with other sources of revenue. We believe an application is strengthened by seeking multiple sources of support (as this is a key indicator of sustainability).

Blue Cross will fund acquisition of equipment as it relates to a specific program, but is unlikely to fund equipment alone. Please note that we typically do not fund construction (e.g., bricks and mortar).

Blue Cross will not fund projects or programs of fraternal or religious organizations where the primary beneficiaries are members of these organizations. We also do not contribute to organizations seeking contributions for advertising space, tickets, or sponsorship of dinners, fundraising events, or promotional materials. Additionally, the BACHG program does not fund requests from hospitals.

No, but we fund agencies that can help individuals.

While Blue Cross does not have a strict policy against indirect costs, we do not look favorably upon applications that request excessive costs in this area. Projects requesting funding for direct service or program-related costs (e.g., supplies, education materials, salaries) are viewed more favorably.

There is no maximum or minimum grant amount. Historically, funding amounts have ranged from $25,000 per year to $75,000 per year.