BCBSMF Community Health Matching Grant Program

The Community Health Matching Grant Program is an initiative of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. The foundation collaborates with health professionals and community leaders at nonprofit organizations to support population-led and community-inspired initiatives. These initiatives must either be newly developed or based on existing evidence-based programs and must directly address needs identified by the community. The overarching goal is to generate measurable health and programmatic outcomes through collaborative, innovative, and sustainable efforts that advance health equity. The program offers up to $25,000 annually, for a duration of two years, to qualifying nonprofit community organizations operating within Michigan. Funding can be applied toward initiatives that address identified community health needs, particularly those influenced by social determinants of health. The grant requires applicants to propose a comprehensive project with detailed methodologies, anticipated obstacles and solutions, sustainability plans, and measurable impacts, including implications for cost, quality, and access to healthcare. Additionally, the project should have potential for replication in other communities. Eligibility is restricted to Michigan-based nonprofit organizations. Additional eligibility criteria include matching fund requirements that vary depending on the applicant’s annual budget and the percentage of Medicaid and uninsured patients served. Organizations with a budget below $10 million must provide a 25 percent match if less than 30 percent of patients are on Medicaid or uninsured, and a 10 percent match if that figure exceeds 30 percent. Organizations with budgets over $10 million are required to provide a 60 percent match or a 25 percent match under the same respective conditions. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan employees and their families, as well as employees of BCBSM affiliates, are ineligible. The application process begins with a concept paper, which must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the desired application deadline. Concept papers are reviewed throughout the year, and feedback is provided by Senior Program Officers who may invite applicants to submit a full proposal. The full proposal includes a detailed narrative, budget, sustainability plan, and required organizational documents. Proposals are reviewed at one of three board meetings held annually in April, July, and November. Application timelines are structured into three seasonal cycles: Winter, Spring, and Summer. For Winter 2025, concept papers are due by October 30, 2024, with final applications accepted until January 8, 2025, and decisions rendered on April 16, 2025. For the Spring 2025 cycle, concept papers are due by February 5, 2025, with final applications accepted until April 16, 2025, and decisions made on July 23, 2025. For Summer 2025, concept papers are due May 28, 2025, with applications due August 6, 2025, and decisions issued on November 12, 2025. Applicants must include various documents such as a Planned Participant Enrollment Table, detailed budget with justifications, co-funder letters, project timeline, resumes of key personnel, and copies of the organization’s mission, tax determination letter, and most recent tax return or financial statement. Notably, the foundation does not support certain costs such as indirect costs beyond limited fringe benefits, tuition, equipment, supplies, furnishings, or capital expenses. Conference travel support is limited to $1,000. For more information, applicants may contact the foundation via email at foundation@bcbsm.com or by mailing BCBSM Foundation, Mail Code X101, 600 E. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226-2998.