Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation Launches new grant category

Chapel Hill, NC – In an effort to increase funding opportunities for smaller nonprofit organizations that provide health-related services in rural communities, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation (BCBSNC Foundation) has launched a new grant category. Mini-Grants will launch on September 1, with grants ranging in size from $1,500 to $5,000. Mini-Grants were created to provide funds to organizations that may not be able to compete against larger organizations for funding due to the size and scope of the organization or a particular program.

Nonprofit organizations with an annual budget of less than $500,000 that deliver services in one or more of North Carolina's 85 rural counties are eligible to apply for funding in this category. Mini-Grants will be offered four to five times per year, and programs must align with the BCBSNC Foundation's focus areas.

"Our goal in creating this new funding opportunity is to make the Foundation more accessible to all North Carolina nonprofits throughout the year," said Kathy Higgins, vice president of the BCBSNC Foundation. "We hope this new category will enable us to provide timely funding and to help more nonprofits that are in need."

For complete information on Mini-Grants and to obtain an application for funding, interested parties should visit the BCBSNC Foundation Web site at www.bcbsnc.com/foundation. The new, user-friendly Web site provides comprehensive information about the BCBSNC Foundation, funding opportunities, and signature programs.

Until recently, the BCBSNC Foundation accepted applications only twice per year with an average grant size of $10,000 to $15,000. With Mini-Grants launching in September and two new categories scheduled to launch before the end of the year, North Carolina nonprofits will have significantly more funding opportunities made available to them through the BCBSNC Foundation.

BCBSNC Foundation grants are awarded to organizations focusing on community needs consistent with the Foundation's mission. This mission includes providing access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured, eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities, promoting physical activity, and providing screening and health education (related to cardiac care, diabetes, obesity, and women's health).