Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation
/OVERVIEW: This funder supports exercise and healthy eating programs throughout the state of Mississippi. It accepts letters of inquiry from local groups throughout the year.
FUNDING AREAS: health, food, eating, diet & exercise, fitness & active living, farmers’ markets
IP TAKE: The far southern counties of Mississippi consistently receive quite a bit of support from this funder. Use the foundation’s interactive map to learn about the types of efforts that often receive this funder’s support.
PROFILE: The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is a health insurance funder committed to building a healthier Mississippi. Funding priorities include: active lifestyles for kids and adults, access to healthy produce from farmers’ markets and community gardens, and parks that provide outdoor recreation opportunities. BCBSMF also supports health screenings at state colleges and universities. Public education institutions have been a top priority of this funder.
The foundation provides grants for health and wellness projects that span a one-year period. All grantees must be physically located in Mississippi and serve Mississippi communities. However, grantees cannot have a contractual relationship with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The foundation also will not fund hospitals or provide hospital building funds unless grant seekers are part of a charitable branch of a hospital.
The first step in getting BCBSMF’s support is to complete a letter of inquiry form, which can be found on the funder’s website. In response, they will send either a request for a full application, a request for more information, or a rejection letter. There are no deadlines to apply for grants, and the foundation accepts letters of inquiry throughout the year. Visit this funder’s interactive map to learn about the places that BCBSMF has supported in each Mississippi county over the years.
There are two "healthy" awards programs grant seekers should look into as well: the Healthy Hometown Awards and the Healthy School Awards. These are designed to reward and encourage towns and schools to keep up the good work with existing and emerging healthy campaigns. This funder also cares about keeping Mississippi communities tobacco-free.
Keep up with this funder's activities and interests with the foundation newsletter.
PEOPLE:
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