Publications
Annual Letters
2019 Annual Letter
2018 Annual Letter
2017 Annual Letter
Articles and Papers
Centering Equity in Grantmaking
Published November 2022
While we believe we have developed a deeper understanding of focusing on equity within our work, we have also come to better understand that there is no shortcut or manual for equitable grantmaking. In the spring of 2021, we began working with ETR Services to serve as a learning partner and external evaluator in our efforts to advance our grantmaking practices. The evaluation explored and answered questions related to our efforts to center equity and to design a grantmaking process that is inclusive and accessible.
Emerging Lessons from Clinical-Community Partnerships in North Carolina
Published April 2022
Nearly a decade ago, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation launched Community-Centered Health to increase the capacity of communities to act on the root causes of health and health inequities. Understanding the wide-ranging impact of this work, as well as the insights that can be elevated from such a complex and wide-reaching endeavor, the Foundation commissioned a formal evaluation. The objective in doing so is to support our growth as an organization, provide useful perspective to the Community-Centered Health communities, and produce a resource for others who are interested or involved in multisector, community-based health interventions.
Food is Medicine in North Carolina: Healthy Food Prescriptions Now, and in the Future
Published April 2022
There are successful Healthy Food Prescription partnerships between community-based organizations and health care providers taking place right now in communities across North Carolina. These programs are a step in the right direction of making sure healthy food becomes easily accessible for everyone, and substantial efforts have been made behind the scenes to further support and uplift the programs. With Food is Medicine in North Carolina: Healthy Food Prescriptions Now, and in the Future, we bring some of those efforts to the forefront.
Participant Capacity Building Needs: Healthy Opportunities Pilots
Nonprofit Finance Fund
Published April 2020
While the overall net benefit of the Healthy Opportunities Pilots and integration of community-based organizations will be positive, it will not be without side effects, primarily the strain on these organizations to adapt to the changes that coincide with this shift. Understanding these ramifications, we commissioned the Nonprofit Finance Fund to work with prospective Lead Pilot Entities to explore how they engaged human service and other community-based organizations to understand the greatest capacity building needs.
Investment Vehicles for Affordable Housing in North Carolina
By: Maryanne Speroni, Linden View
Published April 2020
The affordable housing asset class provides an opportunity for anchor institutions – hospitals, corporations, universities, and more – to invest in affordable housing, whether for social impact, financial return, or both. This paper provides a comprehensive report of the existing and emerging vehicles for investment in affordable housing in North Carolina.
Affordable and Healthy Homes in North Carolina
By: Stephen Sills, PhD, UNC Greensboro Center for Housing and Community Studies
Published March 2020
Financing practices, housing shortages, and population growth have led to a housing landscape that leaves many families housing burdened and/or in unsafe living conditions. This paper provides an overview of the current state of housing in North Carolina, barriers to healthy and affordable housing, and recommendations on the policy and practice changes that would improve health through housing.
OP-ED Field Guide
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
Published June 2018
We are living in the age of shortened attention spans, and with them an abundance of short-form communications. Whether it be Twitter or Facebook or Instagram, a lot has changed in how we have come to get our messages to the outside world. But believe it or not, there are still decision-makers, opinion-leaders, and influencers who instead of turning to their smartphones for all their information, still turn the pages of local (and national) newspapers. However, sometimes writing an Op-Ed can be intimidating - the formats, the rules, and the best practices. And then there is the process of submitting and what to do if you don't get published. With all of this in mind, we developed this Op-Ed Field Guide in the hopes it can be useful addition to any nonprofit’s toolbox.
