Health Innovation Grant

The Health Innovation Grants are administered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation (BCBSND Caring Foundation). As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, BCBSND serves individuals and organizations throughout North Dakota with a focus on improving community health outcomes. The Caring Foundation operates as a philanthropic arm dedicated to investing in projects and programs that promote healthier lifestyles and expand access to health resources across the state. These grants are designed to support new or expanding programming that introduces innovative approaches to improving health. Projects must be replicable if successful and should not merely extend existing programming or current mission work. Ideal grant proposals include initiatives such as implementing care coordination for homelessness and behavioral health prevention, expanding farm-to-school programs that link local food systems with education, or launching educational campaigns to reduce mental health stigma. The foundation supports these efforts through a competitive two-step process beginning with a Letter of Intent (LOI). Organizations must submit LOIs electronically by January 31 for the spring cycle or July 31 for the fall cycle. LOIs are reviewed within four to six weeks, after which select organizations are invited to submit a full application. Full grant applications are due by February 28 for the spring cycle or August 31 for the fall cycle. Notifications of awards are sent by March 15 and September 15, respectively. Only invited applicants may submit full proposals, and submission does not guarantee funding. Funding ranges between $15,000 and $50,000, with six to eight awards distributed annually. However, awarded funds cannot be used to directly fund any full-time or part-time staff positions or to support capital campaigns. Additionally, organizations that have received funding from the BCBSND Caring Foundation within the current calendar year are ineligible to reapply. Funded projects must advance specific objectives including improving access to healthy living, strengthening local collaboration, and empowering community health leadership. Eligible applicants must be based in North Dakota and include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipal entities such as park boards or public health departments, and school systems. Applications and LOIs must be submitted via email to caringfoundation@bcbsnd.com. All entries must be submitted electronically by 5:00 p.m. on the relevant deadline date. Late submissions are not accepted, and applicants must wait for the next cycle if a deadline is missed. The Health Innovation Grant is recurring with biannual funding cycles. The next expected cycle after the current one closes is scheduled to begin in January 2026. While no specific individual contact name is listed, all inquiries and submissions should be directed to the Caring Foundation’s primary email. The headquarters of BCBSND is located at 4510 13th Ave. S., Fargo, North Dakota, 58121.