Apply for Funding
The focus of the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is creating active, healthy spaces across Tennessee that connect people and foster a sense of community. We also provide support to health-focused programs and organizations statewide through our Community Trust.
Learn more about BlueCross Healthy Place funding opportunities
BlueCross Healthy Place Program Criteria and Eligibility Guidelines
Before requesting funding for a BlueCross Healthy Place project in your area, get to know what we’re looking for in a proposal.
About Your Organization
We work with both government entities and non-profit organizations to create and revitalize their public spaces. Organizations must comply with our non-discrimination policy and be able to provide evidence of land ownership and community engagement.
About Your Proposal
We work with both governmental entities and non-profit organizations to create and revitalize public spaces that bring communities together.
For 2021, we’re taking a special approach to project proposals in celebration of our 75th anniversary. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is building 10 BlueCross Healthy Places across Tennessee. The foundation will invest $750,000 in each project, and each space will be constructed based on one of six project templates.
For more information, download our overview packet here.
Applying organizations must:
- Be the legal titleholder of the property with full approval to execute the project
- Seek community input on project priorities before proposal submission
- Provide metes and bounds documentation and most recent land survey upon submission
Those guidelines help show the types of projects we’ll prioritize, but it’s also important to know what we are unable to provide funds for. Here are some examples:
- Purchasing land
- Private clubs or property
- Religious programming
- Individual schools
- Staffing pay
- Co-branded projects
Additional Application Guidelines
While working on your application, please keep in mind that your proposed project must:
- Be free and open to the public
- Demonstrate a community benefit and include community input
- Include a project implementation timeline
- Agree to exclusive BlueCross Healthy Place branding and naming rights
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation accepts proposals for BlueCross Healthy Place grants Aug. 1-31 each year.
Notification Timing
Applicants who are not chosen as finalists will receive declination notices through our online portal no later than Dec. 15.
Finalists will receive proposal results no later than Feb. 1.
For more information about funding, email bluecrosshealthyplaces@bcbst.com.
BlueCross Community Trust – Criteria and Eligibility Guidelines
Here are the guidelines for sponsorship funding through the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust.
About Your Organization
We support 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations, state colleges and universities, as well as government agencies. We focus our trust funding into four primary areas:
- Charitable clinics
- Groups that provide disease prevention, early detection and treatment services
- Youth health and development programs
- Organizations promoting diversity and inclusion
Those guidelines help show the types of projects we’ll prioritize, but it’s also important to know what we are unable to provide funds for. Here are some examples:
- Purchasing land
- Private clubs or property
- Religious programming
- Individual schools
- Staffing pay
- Co-branded projects
The Community Trust supports organizations across Tennessee. Each submission will be reviewed for eligibility, funding priority and budget consideration. A committee will review each submission.
Community Trust applications are accepted on a biannual basis. Your event date determines the appropriate cycle in which to apply for funding. Failure to submit during the appropriate timeframe will result in resubmission by the original applicant.
- November 1st Deadline: Events taking place between January and June
- May 1st Deadline: Events taking place between July and December
We will not consider applications received outside of these deadlines, but we encourage community partners to apply again during the next funding cycle.
SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST