Press Releases

Highmark invests $765,000 million in six initiatives to enhance community in the Capital Region

• Brings Blue Fund's total local investment to more than $4.5 million

Latham, N.Y.  (September 11, 2025) — Highmark Blue Shield, through the Highmark Bright Blue Futures charitable giving and community involvement program, is reinforcing its commitment to the Capital Region with a $765,000 investment in five vital health projects across the region.

For the eighth consecutive year, these grants are distributed annually throughout the thirteen counties of the Capital Region, empowering local nonprofits to tackle pressing health challenges. Highmark Blue Fund prioritizes initiatives that improve behavioral health, cardiovascular health, healthcare workforce development, maternal health, and children's health.

"Highmark Blue Shield and our health plan are deeply committed to the communities we serve," said Michael Ball, vice president, community affairs. "We understand that working together is key to improving health outcomes. Through Blue Fund grants, we're proud to support local organizations that are actively removing barriers to health and building a healthier future for everyone."

As part of today’s ceremony and announcement, which was held at South End Children's Café, a past Blue Fund grant recipient, Highmark Blue Shield employees spent the day volunteering at the Café. Tasks included cleaning, cooking and helping prepare for the students and children set to arrive this week for services and support.

Below are the recipients of the 2025 Blue Fund Grants: 

1. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will receive $155,000 to add mental health counseling to its current community health programs. These programs include individual and group psychotherapy for substance abuse, mood and anxiety disorders, and other mental health concerns. The counselor will also provide assessment, consultation, and referral to other health and mental health services when appropriate, which will dramatically enhance available programs and help fill a gap in services.
2. Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga BOCES will receive $160,000 to cultivate critical thinking skills and identify sound work practices for nursing students. The program goals are to prepare students to provide high-quality patient care and to help reduce the critical shortage of appropriately trained nurses using real-world scenarios facilitated by cutting-edge equipment.
3. Community Maternity Services will receive $100,000 to serve teens in rural Northeastern NY by increasing SDOH supports and other prenatal/postnatal services. Outreach Case Managers will meet regularly to develop and carry out case plans for young, rural, at-risk pregnant mothers.
4. Glynwood Center Inc. will receive $100,000 to facilitate farm-to-pantry deliveries to directly aid those experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity is a significant social determinant of health, particularly affecting behavioral health (such as wellbeing) but also affecting cardiovascular, children’s, and maternal health.
5. New Dimensions in Living Inc. will receive $150,000 to provide dental services to the Medicaid population as an alternative to costly emergency department visits by offering in-house Dental Assistant training.
6. Regional Food Bank of NENY will receive $100,000 to offer medically tailored groceries to patients with hypertension and other conditions through a new Food as Medicine program.

Highmark Blue Shield launched Blue Fund in July 2018, to support organizations and initiatives that work collaboratively to address key health areas and demonstrate enhanced measurable outcomes for the community.

Organizations interested in learning more about Highmark Blue Shield’s corporate giving should visit Highmark Bright Blue Futures' corporate giving page.