Blue Cross and Shield of Minnesota Foundation Seeks Proposals for Million Dollar Funding Opportunity

EAGAN, Minn., Feb. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - EAGAN, Minn. (Feb. 9, 2015) -- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation today released a request for proposals for up to a total of $1 million to further health equity in communities across Minnesota. The new grants program, "Healthy Communities: Health Equity in Action," offers grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 per year, and applicants can apply for one- or two-year grants.

"The overall goal is to help people reach their full health potential," said Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Link. "We believe community nonprofits are in the best position to understand and apply what's already working in communities to make them healthier."

The Foundation's mission is to make a healthy difference in communities by advancing health equity and improving conditions where people live, learn, work and play. The Foundation seeks to fund community solutions that help create the following:

• Equitable systems -- Systems and resources are equitable and easily navigated. Community members are positioned and supported to fully participate in community life.
• Stable lives -- Children, families and individuals are engaged and supported so they can achieve stable, thriving lives and secure healthy futures.
• Social connections -- Community members have increased connectedness, confidence, self-efficacy and opportunity to bring about change.
• Vibrant communities -- Community institutions and infrastructures are strong, and health considerations are at the forefront of community decision making. Equity assessments are routine practice and core organizations recognize their role in advancing health equity.

A detailed RFP is available on the Foundation's website. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. on April 20, submitted through the Foundation's online application system. Optional workshops will be held in Mankato, St. Paul, Bemidji and Duluth for potential applicants to learn more about the funding opportunity and to talk with foundation staff about project ideas, and a webinar also will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 9:30 a.m. Registration is required for the workshops but not the webinar.

Eligible applicants must be classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, nonprofit 501(c)(3) community-based organization located in Minnesota or serving Minnesota that is not a private foundation.

For more information on Blue Cross' grantmaking programs, call (651) 662-3950 or toll free at 1-866-812-1593, or visit our website.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation exclusively dedicates its assets to improving health in Minnesota, awarding nearly $40 million since it was established in 1986. The Foundation's purpose is to make a healthy difference in communities by advancing health equity and improving the conditions where people live, learn, work and play.

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            Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation
Julie Eastling

+1 651-662-6574