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Press Releases

Friday, February 03, 2023

Highmark BSNENY opens 2023 Blue Fund

  • Health Plan now accepting $100k-$200k grant requests for initiatives that support community’s greatest health needs

Latham, N.Y. (February 3, 2023) — Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York announced that its Blue Fund is now accepting applications through March 3, 2023.

In 2022, Highmark BSNENY awarded $500k to support four major health-based projects across the Capital Region. This was part of the health plan’s total $7 million statewide community investment.

For 2023, the local health plan will award grants ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that align with at least one of Blue Fund’s key health areas. This includes behavioral health, cardiovascular health, health care workforce development, healthy children, and maternal health. Initiatives must be ready to implement and demonstrate measurable community outcomes in the counties of Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.

“We know the health of our region depends on the health of every corner of our community. Our Blue Fund investments uplift organizations who can make a meaningful impact,” said Michael Ball, vice president, community affairs for Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York.

As part of its sixth annual Blue Fund grant cycle, Highmark Blue Shield will award Blue Fund grants this Fall, giving special attention to projects that directly address racial and health inequities.

Submitting a brief letter of intent (LOI) using Blue Fund’s online application system is the required first step in the grant-making process. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full application, with funding decisions announced in the fall of 2023.

Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to review program guidelines and focus areas as they may have changed from previous years. Visit  to bsneny.com/bluefund learn more and to submit a letter of intent online for the 2023 grant cycle.

About Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York
Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York is a trade name of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Since 1946, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York has helped millions of people lead healthier lives. Blue Shield offers a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. As a community-based, not-for-profit health plan, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield contributes significantly to organizations that strengthen and enrich the health of the community. For up-to-date news, facts, and information about the company, leadership, and industry, please visit bsneny.com or follow us on Twitter.

About Blue Fund
Blue Fund, funded solely by Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, awards major grants in the Capital Region to organizations and initiatives that have a positive impact on key health areas and will demonstrate enhanced measurable outcomes for community health metrics. These include behavioral health, cardiovascular health, health care workforce development, healthy children and maternal health.  

For more information, contact

Kyle Rogers
716-341-3184
Kyle.Rogers@highmarkhealth.org