The Collective Impact Grants are funded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, an organization committed to improving the health and well-being of Louisiana residents. Rooted in its successful “Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana” initiative, the foundation has continued to support collaborative efforts aimed at long-term improvements in public health across the state. Recognizing that systemic change requires multifaceted partnerships, the Foundation invites community-based organizations to coordinate efforts and address health challenges holistically.
The purpose of the Collective Impact Grants is to support large-scale, community-wide initiatives that tackle complex health and well-being issues specific to Louisiana communities. Grants aim to catalyze systemic change by fostering collaboration among nonprofits, community organizations, and local stakeholders. Eligible projects can focus on issues such as heart disease, diabetes, mental health, obesity, or disparities in healthcare access, quality, or cost.
The funding scope allows for up to $1,000,000 per project, typically over a three-year period. Funding is disbursed in multiple payments, contingent upon meeting annual performance benchmarks. The grants require a one-to-one match from applicants, though up to 50% of this match may be provided in-kind. Applications are only open to Louisiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to be considered. The LOI process includes checking eligibility, reviewing an FAQ document, and completing an online form via the Foundation’s SmartSimple platform. The deadlines for submitting LOIs occur quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. These LOIs determine which organizations will be invited to submit a full application.
The Foundation evaluates applications based on collaborative structure, community impact, sustainability, and alignment with key focus areas. While each community may choose its own health priorities, common statewide interests include issues related to healthcare access and quality, workforce development, and chronic disease prevention.
For questions or help with the SmartSimple platform, applicants are encouraged to download the available Quick Tips Guide. No direct contact name or number is provided on the public site, but interested parties may access additional resources including previous grant reports and announcements about current and past grantees via the Foundation's website.
