Highmark Blue Fund (Northeastern NY)
Highmark Blue Shield (Northeastern New York) is committed to eliminating health disparities and improving the health of the communities we serve in the Capital Region.
From innovative businesses to vibrant downtowns, the Capital Region continues to rise to the challenge. We see this pivotal moment as an opportunity. Blue Fund contributes to the wider strategy of our company-wide Highmark Bright Blue Futures initiative, our charitable giving and community involvement program. As an enterprise, we believe our working in partnership with communities and providers within our footprint is critical to achieve lasting positive outcomes.
2024 Grant Cycle Closed
Blue Fund is no longer accepting applications for 2024. Stay tuned for next year’s grant cycle.
Quick guide to Blue Fund
What you need to know
Blue Fund will consider grant requests that address at least one or more of the following key health focus areas:
- Behavioral health
- Cardiovascular health
- Health care workforce development
- Maternal health
- Healthy children
Highmark Blue Shield (Northeastern NY) is committed to eliminating health disparities while improving the health, wellness, and resilience of families, individuals, and communities in our region. We’re looking to partner strategically with nonprofits that are improving racial and health equity, including supporting social determinants of health in under-resourced communities.
Proposals for funding may include requests to support capital and/or program-related project costs. Capital campaign requests must be at least 75% toward project goal. Applicants should demonstrate how the proposal will deepen and broaden current work, by facilitating the expansion of an effective program, or creating a new program based on the success of earlier work or evidence-based best practices.
Blue Fund has a two-step grant application process. Applicants must submit a brief letter of intent (LOI) using Blue Fund’s online application system in accordance with the published timeline. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Hard copy, emailed, or PDF applications will not be accepted. Performance tracking and reporting will be required using our online system.
How do I qualify?
In order to qualify for Blue Fund grants, the proposed work must serve or be located in one or more of the following 13 counties: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington. Your organization must be classified as a tax-exempt nonprofit under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code or an educational or government entity with tax-exempt status.
Any one organization may submit one letter of intent (LOI) maximum. Grants may provide support to eligible organizations and projects for up to two years depending on project/program design, scale, and budget. Organizations that have an active Blue Fund grant are not eligible to apply for funding during this cycle.
Funding amount and budget
Minimum grant request is $100,000; maximum grant request is $300,000.
Applicants may request up to 15% of the grant amount for indirect costs.
Expenses incurred prior to submission of a Blue Fund application should not be included in Blue Fund project budgets; they are not eligible for payment or reimbursement. The proposed project or program should not begin, and expenses should not be incurred, before a funding decision has been communicated by Blue Fund to the applicant. Blue Fund reserves the right to pay grants in a single installment or in multiple disbursements.
Performance and reporting
Grantees must have the capacity to track performance and report measurable outcome results as agreed upon by Blue Fund on a regular and timely basis. Blue Fund reserves the right to conduct an independent evaluation of grant expenditures for up to four years. The grantee agrees to provide the information necessary to complete such an evaluation. Failure to submit requested information in a timely fashion may obligate the grantee to refund the grant. The failure of an applicant to properly close out a grant in a timely manner will be a factor when considering new grant applications.
What we do not fund
We do not fund political campaigns, exclusively religious activities, or efforts that do not align with one or more Blue Fund focus areas. Attendance at or sponsorship of fundraising events for organizations, annual events or festivals, and the use of grant funds for purposes not pre-approved by Blue Fund or not supported through required documentation will not be funded.
Media and public announcements
Highmark Blue Shield (Northeastern NY) must approve all uses of the Blue Fund name and logo and reserves the right to review and approve all public outreach and announcements related to the grant-supported project or initiative including but not limited to brochures, flyers, press releases, reports, articles, media engagement, groundbreaking and ribbon cutting events.
Timeline
Blue Fund is no longer accepting applications for 2024. Stay tuned for next year's grant cycle.
Resources
Stay updated with the latest news and frequently asked questions.
Do you have more questions? We have the answers.
Find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about Blue Fund eligibility, applying and more. If you do not see your question here, please contact us directly.
