Blue Cross Foundation Awards $4.3 Million in 2014

EAGAN, Minn. (Dec. 18, 2014) - The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation awarded $4.3 million in 2014 in support of its mission to advance health equity and improve conditions where people live, learn, work and play. A total of 54 organizations received grants in the following areas:

Social connectedness $730,000

Health equity $623,644

Early childhood development $723,054

Access to coverage $1,793,926

Employee giving match $410,072

Other (including disaster relief) $11,000

The Foundation has awarded nearly $40 million since it was formed in 1986.

The most recent grants, awarded in December, total nearly $700,000 to the following organizations: Better Futures, Minneapolis; ECHO Minnesota, St. Paul; HealthFinders Collborative, Northfield; Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, St. Cloud; Minneapolis Foundation for Northside Funders Group, Minneapolis; Minnesota Council of Churches, Mankato; Northside Achievement Zone, Minneapolis; Portico Healthnet, Minneapolis; and Rainbow Health Initiative, Minneapolis. The majority of these grants will help newly insured people to navigate the health care system.

"We are privileged to work with these outstanding organizations across Minnesota," said Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Link. "Minnesota nonprofits are key to building community capacity and helping people reach their full health potential."

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

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.