BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN FOUNDATION

Programs

1. Through our community health matching grant program, we collaborated with health professionals and community leaders at nonprofit organizations to develop population led, community inspired initiatives or implement evidence-based programs that address community-identified needs. By responding to community voices and focusing on program in their communities on core topic areas, such as maternal and infant health, behavioral health, senior and caregiver support, and nutrition and food access, the bcbsm foundation supported programs with measurable outcomes, scalable solutions and expanded access to resources in targeted zip codes. Highlights include: support to growing hope in washtenaw county, which expanded a garden leader training pilot to equip participants with advanced gardening, mentorship and facilitation skills, strengthening the home vegetable garden program; a grant to the revive and thrive project to fund a registered dietitian providing nutrition education for adults with cancer, heart disease or diabetes; and support for the manna project inc. To expand a mobile food distribution program that serves homebound residents lacking transportation. In 2025, the bcbsm…

   $1,549,958 spentof which $983,115 as grants
   67% of program spending

2. Research grant awards are made to address the cost and quality of health care. These awards are made to michigan researchers, physicians and students at universities, and hospitals. Before an innovative idea can be implemented, it must first be tested. The investigator-initiated research program is designed for michigan researchers, enabling them to turn theory into data and data into knowledge. These grant partners often increase their influence in academic circles and community platforms to inform and shape future thought and improvement. The bcbsm foundation's investigator initiated research award program empowers scholars to fill critical gaps in michigan's health care knowledge. By funding rigorous pilots, secondary data analyses and feasibility studies to test the implementation of innovative interventions to improve health outcomes, this research program accelerates evidence-based solutions that can be scaled across the state's many unique communities. In 2025, nine researchers received funding to explore everything from early life behavioral health and improving early detection of exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances, to measuring maternal well-being and how geography…

   $767,741 spentof which $486,968 as grants
   33% of program spending

3. The proposal development award empowers nonprofit organizations to secure professional grant writing support, enabling them to craft compelling, health focused proposals for public agencies, private foundations, community groups and corporate funders. In 2025, four organizations received grants to contract experienced grant writers who helped them develop, write and submit high-quality proposals aimed at expanding their programs and reaching new funding sources. Beyond the immediate infusion of writing assistance, the award builds long term capacity by strengthening each organization's internal grant development skills, strategic planning and data-driven storytelling. As grantees become more adept at articulating impact and aligning with funder priorities, they are better positioned to compete for larger grants that support sustainable growth, deepen service delivery and ensure the continuity of vital health initiatives in the communities they serve.

   $12,096 spentof which $7,672 as grants
   1% of program spending

The 3 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $2,329,795.