Jun 4, 2025
BCBSRI named to The Civic 50 list of most community-minded companies
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (June 4, 2025) — Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteering, has named Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) a 2025 honoree of The Civic 50, which through an annual survey recognizes the top community-minded companies in the United States.
For more than a decade, The Civic 50 has served as the national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact and community to the core of their business. This comprehensive survey for companies with annual revenues of at least $1 billion evaluates the scale, sophistication and impact of their employee volunteering, community engagement and corporate philanthropy work.
“We’re extremely proud to be among just 50 companies in the country to receive this prestigious recognition. It’s especially meaningful to us because we are deeply rooted in Rhode Island and serving our communities is at the core of everything we do,” said BCBSRI President and CEO Martha L. Wofford. “From investing in organizations that deliver school-based mental health support to assisting nonprofits building affordable housing to deploying hundreds of our associates for volunteer projects around the state, we are highly focused on fostering healthy communities.”
Through its BlueAngel Community Investment program, BCBSRI actively partners with non-profit organizations across the state to support their efforts to advance the health and well-being of Rhode Islanders. Focus areas include affordable housing, food security, and mental health of children, families, and older adults.
In 2024, BCBSRI associates gave 9,293 volunteer hours' worth an estimated $292,000. All together last year, the company’s philanthropy benefited 265 non-profits and an estimated 264,000 Rhode Islanders.
Last year, BCBSRI held its 13th annual Blue across Rhode Island day of service. More than 550 associates fanned out across the state in organized teams and spent the workday completing projects for organizations that applied for volunteer help. Blue across Rhode Island is one of the largest company-sponsored volunteer events of its kind in the state.
Another annual BCBSRI community initiative is the RI Life Index, a survey that gathers Rhode Islanders’ perceptions about their ability to be healthy and well. In 2024, for the sixth consecutive year, the survey explored such topics as affordable housing, food security, cost of living, job opportunities, and education. The Index, a partnership with the Brown University School of Public Health, guides BCBSRI’s philanthropy and its results are shared with elected officials, community advocates and nonprofit organizations, many of which serve on the Index’s advisory coalition.
“Being named to The Civic 50 reflects our deep commitment to community and our desire to have a meaningful social impact,” said Carolyn Belisle, vice president of corporate social responsibility at BCBSRI. “Our focus on philanthropy and volunteering strengthens not only who we are as a company but also how we serve our members and neighbors every day. We’re grateful to our colleagues who generously commit their time and energy and to the community-based organizations with whom we partner to improve Rhode Islanders’ quality of life.”
Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, Points of Light, said, “In an ever-evolving landscape, companies are looking to ensure that they can meet the needs of their communities, customers, and stakeholders. Companies like Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island are leading the way in showing how social impact benefits their employees’ well-being, strengthens the communities where they do business, and brings value and meaning to their work. Their efforts provide a model for others looking to bring the benefits of volunteering and social impact to their workforce and they’re extremely deserving of this recognition.”
The Civic 50 survey is administered by True Impact, and the results are analyzed by VeraWorks. The survey instrument consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform the scoring process. The Civic 50 is the only survey and ranking system that exclusively measures corporate community engagement.