Press Releases

Highmark Delaware & the Delaware Community Foundation release annual report for "BluePrints for the Community" program

• BluePrints for the Community Granted $4 Million in 2023

Wilmington, Del. (July 9, 2024) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware (Highmark Delaware) and the Delaware Community Foundation announced the release of the 2023 Annual Report for the “BluePrints for the Community” grants program which last year provided nearly $4 million in grants to 45 organizations across the state.

BluePrints for the Community is a grants program of the Highmark Delaware Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF). It was established to serve Delawareans, with emphasis on increasing access to care, reducing health disparities and addressing social determinants of health.

"We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their background or circumstances. That's why BluePrints for the Community is focused on creating a healthier future for all.” said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.  “We're working to advance equitable access to care, reduce barriers like unemployment, food insecurity, and housing instability, and connect people to vital social and community resources. Our goal is healthier communities where everyone can thrive."

The fund supports five keystone goals which include:

• Advancing equitable access to quality healthcare
• Reducing unemployment, food insecurity and housing instability
• Connecting people to social and community resources that will improve their health and well-being
• Improving neighborhoods and environments to promote health and safety
• Recruiting and training healthcare professionals

"The dynamic healthcare landscape requires innovative solutions, and we are fortunate to have the support of our dedicated nonprofit partners. BluePrints is actively working to address the root causes of health disparities in Delaware, and we are confident that together, we can create a more equitable and healthy community," said Rita Landgraf, Chair of the BluePrints for the Community Advisory Council.

Over the course of the year, BluePrints provided grants ranging from $10,000 to $1 million to programs and services at the following organizations.

Reducing Unemployment, Food Insecurity and Housing Instability

• Bringing Hope Home, $ 35,000
• Delaware Regional Dream Center, $ 45,000
• Family Promise of Northern New Castle County, $100,000
• Lutheran Community Services, Inc., $150,000
• Odyssey Charter School, $ 35,000
• St. Patrick´s Center, Inc., $ 20,000
• West End Neighborhood House, Inc., $75,000

Advancing Equitable Access to Healthcare

• AltruVision, $15,000
• Black Mothers In Power, $20,000
• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Wilmington, $44,000
• Central Delaware Housing Collaborative, $25,000
• ChristianaCare Health Services, $80,000  
• Community Education Building, $142,700  
• Delaware Adolescent Program, Inc., $45,400
• Delaware Pharmacists Educational Center, Inc., $113,925
• Down Syndrome Association of Delaware, $25,000
• Ingleside Homes, Inc., $211,365 
• Jewish Family Services of Delaware, $25,000
• Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, $542,769
• The Rosa Health Center, $100,000
• SL24 UnLocke the Light Foundation, $50,000
• The Springboard Collaborative, $100,000
• St. John’s Community Services, $18,600
• Unite for HER $100,000
• Vision To Learn, $60,000

Improving Neighborhoods & Environments

• Jewish Federation of Delaware, $10,000 
• Urban Bike Project of Wilmington, $10,000

Recruiting & Training Healthcare Professionals

• Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder of Newark, $38,800
• Delaware Prosperity Partnership, $60,000
• Mental Health Association in Delaware, $35,661
• Sussex Economic Development Action Committee, $25,000
• TidalHealth Foundation, $1,000,000

Connecting People to Social & Community Resources

• The Challenge Program, $16,750
• Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Inc., $100,000
• Endless Possibilities in the Community, Inc., $200,000
• First State Squash, $65,000
• Girls on the Run Delaware, $10,000
• Lori’s Hands, Inc., $50,000
• Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, $61,000
• Strive: How You Lead Matters, $10,000