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. Since 2019, this program has focused on addressing one of the most pressing issues in our community- access to safe and affordable housing.
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 and their impact on health and well-being. Since its inception in 2019, 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.
This funding program and the partnerships we build through it are the cornerstone of our community investment activities.
How to apply
The grant cycle is currently closed and will reopen in July 2025.
If you have any questions, please email BlueAngel.News@bcbsri.org.
We’re grateful to partner with the 2025 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.