Deadline: 21-Aug-2020
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) Foundation has announced a call for applications for the Special Initiatives COVID-19 Response Grant.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) Foundation will provide a limited number of one year grants of up to $25,000 to Massachusetts organizations undertaking activities that engage in a variety of COVID-19 related activities. These activities must be aligned with the Foundation’s strategic priorities to promote access to quality care and coverage, behavioral health services, and social equity and health for low-income and vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth.
Key activities may include:
- Supporting individuals and families in addressing health-related social needs caused by COVID-19, helping them navigate available social services, such as housing and food security, in partnership with or in close alignment with a health care provider.
- Supporting individuals and families in addressing behavioral health needs caused by COVID-19 and its social and economic repercussions.
- Supporting communities in strengthening and building resilience to support individuals and families as they cope with COVID-19 and its aftermath and enhance community preparedness for future physical and/or behavioral health crises.
- Any combination of these activities.
Funding Criteria
- The Foundation will award one-year, non-renewable grants of up to $25,000.
- The Foundation reserves the right to make grant awards in amounts less than $25,000. Successful proposals will:
- Describe a compelling statement of need
- Describe how the proposed activities will focus on and specifically meet the needs of people of color and/or rural communities
- Describe a program that addresses the compelling need and the physical and/or behavioral health of the target population
- Describe the unique impact your organization anticipates having in 12 months as a result of this funding
The Foundation will not consider requests to support the following:
- A program that mirrors the Foundation’s other granted program areas
- Direct medical and clinical care
- Proposals that focus solely on technology or personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Salaries for new positions with no evidence of sustainability beyond the grant period
- Event or conference sponsorship
Eligibility Criteria
- In reviewing proposals for Special Initiatives COVID-19 Response Grants, the Foundation will only consider those organizations that:
- Primarily serve low-income and vulnerable people, particularly individuals receiving MassHealth or other subsidized health insurance.
- Demonstrate a track record of ongoing programming and services for people of color, rural communities, low-income, and vulnerable Massachusetts residents.
- Are community-based and serve communities of color and/or rural communities that have been identified as having high rates of uninsured in the Foundation’s report, The Geography of Uninsurance in Massachusetts: an Update for 2013–2017.
- The Foundation does not fund for-profit companies, religious organizations, nor individuals. The Foundation aims to support as many organizations as possible; therefore, preference is given to organizations that have not recently funded.
Requirements
- Full Proposal Narrative
- Statement of Need: Describe the issues related to COVID-19 that your organization is facing—either internally and/or in meeting the needs of your clients. (2,000 characters)
- Target Population: Describe the communities of color and/or rural communities who will benefit from the program. (2,000 characters)
- Program Description: How will the requested funding help your organization address the COVID-19 needs you described above? (3,000 characters)
- Impact: What unique impact does your organization anticipate having in 12 months as a result of this funding? (2000 characters)
- Health Equity: In what ways is your organization working to have a greater impact on those experiencing health inequities due to racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and other structural and institutional barriers? What challenges are you having in achieving your intended impact? (1,000 characters)
- Additional Attachments
- Organizations will be required to submit the following attachments:
- Project Budget Worksheet: Utilizing the budget worksheet available for download, describe how the funding would be allocated to cover expenses.
- Budget Narrative Template: The narrative should be designed to justify the budget. The narrative details must help explain how and where the grant funds will be used.
- Organization Budget: Upload your organization’s board or department-approved budget for the most recent full year.
- Tax Exempt Designation: Upload a current 501(c)(3) IRS tax status documentation letter. If you have a fiscal agent, please attach a copy of that organization’s IRS ruling, as well as a brief letter stating their commitment to receive the funds as the fiscal agent.
- Organizations will be required to submit the following attachments:
For more information, visit https://bluecrossmafoundation.org/grant/special-initiatives