Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Grant Window Open Through March 30

CHICAGO, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is accepting applications for Community Partner Grants (CPG) and Healthy Kids, Healthy Families (HKHF) grants now through March 30, 2015.  For over 78 years, BCBSIL has supported communities throughout Illinois by investing in non-profit direct service providers committed to improving the health and lives of people in Illinois.

"We know that the health and wellness of a community and its residents can be positively transformed when resources are directed to organizations with the knowledge and community presence to enhance access to care, address health disparities, and create innovative community based coordinated care models," says Clarita Santos, Senior Director of Community Health Initiatives, BCBSIL. "We are encouraging 501(c)3 organizations, in Illinois, to apply for either a CPG or a HKHF grant."

In Illinois, grants are awarded to direct service health and human service organizations with 501(c)3 status. Funding is dispersed through two separate funding streams: Community Partners Grant and Healthy Kids Healthy Families Grant.

Community Partners Grants support innovative direct service programs dedicated to improving health system objectives in under-served communities in Illinois. CPG areas of focus are:

1. Increasing access to health care
2. Increasing care coordination 
3. Enhancing health literacy
4. Addressing behavioral and social determinants of health and health disparities
5. Implementing health care reform

Healthy Kids, Healthy Families Grant focuses on promoting health and wellness of families across the life course.

1. Nutrition education
2. Physical activity
3. Disease prevention and management
4. Safe Environments

Funding is for one year only and commences July 1, 2015 for 12 months. There is no automatic renewal funding for previously funded organizations. Organizations must submit new proposals each year. Organizations may apply through either funding stream (but not both). Funding is competitive; therefore, organizations should assess alignment with each streams' funding priorities.

All organizations must meet the following criteria to be considered for a grant from BCBSIL:

• Services provided in the state of Illinois Incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and have been delivering services for at least 1 year at the time of application submission.
• Established as a 501(c)3 and in compliance with federal and state regulations and Requirements
• Operates under a non-discrimination policy
• Governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors in which Board members are not compensated for service

To apply, complete a funding application: www.bcbsil.com/company-info/community-involvement/grant-sponsorship

Questions about the application process for grant funding or sponsorships may be directed to Kathleen Cangemi at [email protected].

About Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)
With 8 million members, BCBSIL, a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the largest health insurance company in Illinois. Begun in 1936, BCBSIL remains member owned rather than publicly traded and is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and its communities, fostering greater access to care, and working to lower the overall cost of care while improving health care quality and patient outcomes.  Visit us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Related Links

http://www.bcbsil.com