Tennessee Health Foundation

TENNESSEE HEALTH FOUNDATION Established in December of 2003, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation promotes the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. We award grants focused on high-impact initiatives and that work with civic and economic partners to promote healthy lifestyle choices across the state. This, in turn, helps control health care costs for all Tennessee residents. MISSION STATEMENT The Tennessee Health Foundation is dedicated to enhancing quality of life by awarding grants that improve health, public education and economic development for Tennesseans. We support effective multicultural approaches for developing healthy lifestyles. We enhance collaborative community partnerships for broader access to health resources. We explore innovative solutions aimed at breaking cycles of health neglect. We establish healthy initiatives aimed at prevention, intervention and education. FUNDING FOCUS For 2010, we are focusing our funding on infant mortality and childhood obesity, patient safety and quality improvement, and the uninsured. FUNDING PRIORITY We give priority to projects that reflect our mission and emphasize healthy living, health care access and quality of life, such as the following: • Projects that are solution-oriented and measurable to show proven results. • Projects that help the most amount of people across income, race and gender lines. • Projects that obtain high participation and can be easily replicated. • Projects that are collaborative and attract diverse community partnerships. APPLICATION PROCESS Organizations who comply with our eligibility and restrictions [pdf link] must submit grant information in the format and timeframe requested. Funding cycles are January, May and September. Click here for more information on our application process. ELIGIBILITY & RESTRICTIONS (PDF ONLY) Eligibility To seek grant funding from the Tennessee Health Foundation or the Community Trust, 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 Restrictions Tennessee Health Foundation and the Community Trust do 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 Company’s 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 Corporate Giving In 2009, $4.2 million was distributed by the foundation. See a comprehensive view of our giving for 2009. Foundation in Action Creative Discovery Museum’s “Good For You†Exhibit -- Helping kids beat obesity and learn about healthy food choices. Tennessee Center for Patient Safety -- A collaborative effort between BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the Tennessee Hospital Association and the American College of Surgeons from Tennessee to make an impact on hospital-acquired infections and other matters that affect patient safety.
Established in December of 2003, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation promotes the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. We award grants focused on high-impact initiatives and that work with civic and economic partners to promote healthy lifestyle choices across the state. This, in turn, helps control health care costs for all Tennessee residents.
Mission Statement
The Tennessee Health Foundation is dedicated to enhancing quality of life by awarding grants that improve health, public education and economic development for Tennesseans.

We support effective multicultural approaches for developing healthy lifestyles.

We enhance collaborative community partnerships for broader access to health resources.

We explore innovative solutions aimed at breaking cycles of health neglect.

We establish healthy initiatives aimed at prevention, intervention and education.
Funding Focus

For 2013, our funding will focus on expanding access to care with an emphasis on healthcare workforce needs, health disparities and at-risk populations; addressing the problems of infant mortality and childhood obesity; and improving patient safety and quality.

Funding Priority

We give priority to projects that reflect our mission and emphasize healthy living, health care access and quality of life, such as the following:

• Projects that are solution-oriented and measurable to show proven results.

• Projects that help the most amount of people across income, race and gender lines.

• Projects that obtain high participation and can be easily replicated.

• Projects that are collaborative and attract diverse community partnerships.
Application Process
Organizations who comply with our eligibility and restrictionspdf icon must submit grant information in the format and time frame requested. Funding cycles are January, May and September. Click here for more information on our application process.
In 2012, over $6.2 million was distributed by the foundation.

See a comprehensive view of our giving for 2012.
Creative Discovery Museum
"Good for You" Exhibit Helping kids beat obesity and learn about healthy food choices. VIDEO

Tennessee Center for Patient Safety  A collaborative effort between BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the Tennessee Hospital Association and the American College of Surgeons from Tennessee to make an impact on hospital acquired infections and other matters that affect patient safety. VIDEO