Tennessee Health Foundation

About The Foundation

The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, Inc. (THF) was established in December, 2003 as a 501(c)(3) foundation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee by awarding grants focused on high-impact initiatives across the state, which promote healthy lifestyle choices and help control health care costs for all Tennessee residents. THF, working with civic and economic partners, is dedicated to the support of research, innovative programs and creative approaches to improve the health and quality of life of Tennesseans for generations to come.

Mission Statement

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation is dedicated to enhancing quality of life by awarding grants that improve health, public education and economic development for Tennesseans.

Goals & Objectives

  • Support of effective multicultural approaches for developing health lifestyles.
  • Enhancement of collaborative community partnerships for broader access to health resources.
  • Exploration of innovative solutions aimed at breaking cycles of health neglect.
  • Establishment of healthy initiatives aimed at prevention, intervention and education.

Foundation Charitable Guidelines

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation (THF) philanthropic contribution guidelines are written in agreement with and in support of the long-term charitable goals of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

Funding Priority

  • Projects within Tennessee reflecting the mission of THF and emphasizing healthy living, health care access, and quality of life.
  • Projects that are solution-oriented and can be closely tracked with quantitative impact.
  • Projects that are impact-focused with:
    • Strategic Philanthropic Approach
      Geographically positioned for maximum philanthropic outreach across income, race and gender lines.
    • Maximized Community Impact
      Capacity for obtaining high participant results and replication.
    • Quantifiable Results
      Designed to produce measurable time specific results.
    • Broad-Based Collaborative Support
      Capacity for attracting diverse community partnerships.

Funding Focus

THF funds projects that develop healthy living practices resulting in better health decisions, medical care and enhanced quality of life for generations to come.

The THF funding focus for 2010 is:

  • Children's Health: Infant Mortality and Childhood Obesity
  • Patient Safety & Quality Improvement
  • The Uninsured

Eligibility

To seek grant funding from THF, organizations must:

  • Be nondiscriminatory
  • Serve communities within Tennessee
  • Be a Section 501 (c)(3) qualified public charity and not a private foundation
  • Comply with applicable laws regarding registration and financial reporting

Contact Information

Kathy Bingham, Manager
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation
1 Cameron Hill Circle
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (423) 535.7163
E-mail: Kathy_Bingham@bcbst.com Email Policy

Application Process

Organizations who comply with THF guideline criteria must submit grant information in the format and timeframe requested. Funding cycles are January, May and September.

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Restrictions

Tennessee Health Foundation does not fund:

  • Individuals
  • Private clubs
  • Private schools
  • Organizations not eligible for tax deductible support
  • Denominational or faith-based organizations for religious purposes
  • Political caucuses, candidates or campaigns
  • Special occasion or commemorative advertising, i.e. journals or dinner programs, unless these are part of an overall sponsorship effort.
  • Hospitals or hospital building funds
    (Exception: special projects that match one of our companies priorities, i.e. children's hospitals)
  • Sports facilities, sports teams
    (exception: those involved in our health collaborative initiatives)
  • Any activities deemed inappropriate by the Foundation
Page Modified:January 13, 2010