Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has awarded $338,133 to 29 nonprofit organizations during its first round of Healthy Living Grants in 2018.
Funding supports each nonprofit’s work testing innovative solutions to health challenges in their communities, and projects selected range from food rescue initiatives to after-school running programs to community gardens.
“We are honored to be able to partner with these nonprofits to help create healthier communities,” said Jeff Bellows, Blue Cross Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs. “These organizations already have successful track records, and with our funding support, they will be able to serve even more Massachusetts residents.”
Blue Cross opened the grant application cycle to the public in March and received a record 92 applications. A panel of business-area representatives from across the company then met to review and select the grant recipients. Priority went to organizations whose mission and proposed funding needs align with Blue Cross’ priorities of healthy eating, active lifestyles, and positive environments.
As part of the award package, the 28 nonprofits will become members of Blue Cross’ Healthy Living Network, which was created as a way to deepen the company’s relationships with nonprofit partners and provide more opportunities to try new ideas and share best practices. In addition to funding, Healthy Living Network members have access to workshops and events where they can share successes and challenges with their peers and participate in skills-based training.
“As a corporate partner we aim to provide more than financial support,” said Yvonne Tang, Blue Cross Director of Community Investments. “Our Healthy Living Network is able to convene nonprofit leaders to spark meaningful dialogue and encourage collaboration.”
2018 Healthy Living Grant Recipients:
| Organization Name | Location |
| Alchemy Initiative | Pittsfield |
| Backyard Growers, Inc. | Gloucester |
| Beyond Soccer, Inc. | Lawrence |
| Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, Inc. | Boston |
| Boston Area Gleaners, Inc. | Waltham |
| Boston Project Ministries, Inc. | Dorchester |
| Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell | Lowell |
| Cape Cod Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc. | West Barnstable |
| Cardinal Cushing Centers, Inc. | Hanover |
| Centro Las Americas, Inc. | Worcester |
| Discovery Museums, Inc. | Acton |
| Farrington Memorial, Inc. | Lincoln |
| Fresh Truck, Inc. | Boston |
| Friends of Holly Hill Farm, Inc. | Cohasset |
| Girls On the Run Greater Boston | Boston |
| Growing Places Garden Project, Inc. | Leominster |
| Lovin Spoonfuls, Inc. | Boston |
| Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. | Lincoln |
| Massachusetts Farm to School | Boston |
| New England Center for Children, Inc. | Southborough |
| Playworks Education Energized | Boston |
| Sportsmen's Tennis & Enrichment Center | Dorchester |
| The Family Pantry of Cape Cod | Harwich |
| The Fund for Parks and Recreation in Boston | Boston |
| The Trustees | Boston |
| Trinity Boston Foundation, Inc. | Boston |
| Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, Inc. | Dorchester |
| YMCA of Metro North | Peabody |
For more information about future grant application deadlines or how to partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, please visit https://aboutus.bluecrossma.com/corporate-citizenship/community-investment.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We're the trusted health plan for more than 25,000 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we're rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.