DETROIT, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation announces a Community Health Improvement Matching Grants Program to support nonprofit organizations addressing significant health issues in Michigan. The foundation has allocated $750,000 for this program and is offering matching fund grants up to $25,000 per year for up to two years to implement programs designed to:
* Address one or more key community health issues * Enhance consumer awareness and change unhealthy behavior * Enhance quality, contain costs, and promote appropriate and necessary access to care
“A grant from this program will require that the grantee develop a partnership with one or more funding agents to support the proposed program at a level at least equal to the foundation’s contribution,” said Ira Strumwasser, executive director and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. “The BCBSM Foundation seeks proposals that replicate a proven method or evaluate the effectiveness of a new intervention, and propose cost-effective and sustainable intervention programs.”
While consideration will be given to any initiative designed to provide innovative solutions to important community health issues, priority will be given to proposals that focus on the following:
* Clinical depression * Domestic abuse * Patient safety * Access to health care for the uninsured
For further information, please contact Elizabeth Greaves-Hoxsie, program officer, at 313-225-9099 or ehoxsie@bcbsm.com .
The BCBSM Foundation’s Community Health Improvement Matching Grants Program closely aligns with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network’s Social Mission Health Initiatives’ focus on depression, domestic abuse, physical activity and nutrition, and access to health care.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents through the support of research and innovative health programs. BCBSM Foundation grant programs are conducted in Michigan by Michigan-based researchers and nonprofit organizations to address issues of quality and costs of care, access to care, and community health.
The BCBSM Foundation is the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, incorporated separately from BCBSM. The foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. None of the BCBSM Foundation’s grant-making resources comes from BCBSM customer premium payments. The foundation was funded through an endowment from Michigan physicians in 1983 and from proceeds of an earlier prescription drug lawsuit settlement. For additional information, please visit the foundation Web site at http://www.bcbsm.com/foundation .
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
CONTACT: Cheryl McDonald of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan,+1-313-225-8121, mediarelations@bcbsm.com