Grants and Sponsorship Programs
For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has forged alliances with private and public organizations to honor our commitment to improve the health of all Texans. Our charitable contributions allow us to connect with not just our customers, but also community partners, local leaders and policymakers interested in making Texas a healthier state. Through these partnerships, BCBSTX seeks to support sustainable, measurable programs and impactful organizations that strengthen and enrich Texas communities.
Please note: To increase the number of organizations who have access to BCBSTX community investment support, an organization may receive a grant or a sponsorship, but not both. Sponsorships do not require 501(c)(3) status. Requests must be made at least two months in advance of project or event.
Who Can Apply
BCBSTX supports community, business and provider organizations that share our mission and align with our priorities. We accept requests for sponsorships and grants from organizations that are located within Texas and have at least one of the following designations:
- Defined as a non-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code
- Government, civic and cultural organizations
What We Don’t Fund
With our primary focus being health and wellness and human services, priority is given to programs and organizations addressing community needs in these areas. Only requests that directly benefit Texas residents are considered for funding. These requests will not be considered for funding:
- Organizations or projects with written policies that discriminate against individuals based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law
- School athletic programs
- Applications from individuals
- Applications that do not align with our funding priorities
- Subscriptions
- Telethons
- Political campaigns
- Religious activities
- Fraternal activities
- Support of a sole individual
Blue Impact℠ Grants
As a company, investing in our communities is just as important as providing our members with the health insurance they deserve. We want to be known as a leader in community health and wellness, at the forefront of advancing holistic care, addressing health equity, and supporting the needs of under-championed populations in all communities.
This year, we are realigning our community investments into five newly redesigned strategic pillars to help better support its umbrella mission of expanding access to care. The new community support pillars more directly target the social determinants of health (SDOH). The new pillars are:
Economic Opportunity and Stability: Addressing issues such as poverty, removing barriers to employment, providing good jobs, and upskilling.
Nutrition: Supporting efforts to decrease hunger and increase access to nutritional food.
Neighborhood and Built Environment: Focusing on affordable healthy housing, access to transportation, and access to physical activity.
Locally Defined Health Solutions: Addressing hyperlocal health and human service needs.
Optimal Health Outcomes: Helping close gaps in care, specifically around six priority areas: immunizations; diabetes care; cardiovascular care; behavioral health; early detection cancer screening and maternal & infant health.
2024-2025 Blue Impact℠ Grant Timeline
The Blue Impact℠ grant program year will run from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
The criteria required for review of all grant proposals include:
- The community lead organization must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization.
- The community lead organization must have the financial capacity and qualified staff to oversee and manage the project. For this request for proposal (RFP), “financial capacity” is defined as organizations operating a current annual budget of $2 million or more.
- The community lead organization must collaborate on a proposed program with a health partner – i.e., hospital, clinic, federally qualified health center.
Letter of Intent: January 29, 2024 – February 9, 2024
This is the initial step in the process to apply for funding. After review, if selected, your program will be notified and provided details to continue to the second stage of the application process. Submit your Letter of Intent
Application Process: March 4, 2024 – March 15, 2024
The application link will be deactivated at 5 p.m. CT on the last day of each stage. Please make sure you can access the login page and give yourself time to complete the application.
Sponsorships
Organizations working to improve community health and wellness may request sponsorship support from BCBSTX. Sponsorship awards are smaller than grants, ranging between $250–$5,000. Examples of sponsorship awards include community-based health fairs, drives, galas, dinners, luncheons, seminars, conferences, walks and/or runs and similar activities.
Applications open January 12, 2024, and close December 1, 2024
Request for sponsorship consideration must be made through our Event Sponsorship Application.
Please contact Alicia Cooper if you have any questions about our grants and sponsorship programs.