Health and Well-being of Communities in Alabama

The Caring Foundation, established in 1990 by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, is a philanthropic initiative aimed at advancing the organization’s mission of giving back to communities across Alabama. The foundation serves as a vital mechanism to improve the health, wellness, and education of all Alabamians by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations that address these core areas. By focusing on statewide impact, the foundation seeks to identify and address systemic needs that affect public health outcomes and educational advancement throughout the state. The foundation’s primary objective is to support initiatives that align with its mission to enhance the well-being of Alabama residents. It provides funding through grants to organizations that demonstrate a clear and measurable commitment to improving health and education outcomes. Eligible projects may include community wellness initiatives, public health interventions, preventive care programs, educational support services, and more. All supported activities must be directly beneficial to residents of Alabama, ensuring that funding remains localized and targeted toward community-specific challenges. Applications are accepted from nonprofit organizations that hold a valid 501(c)(3) status and are further classified under 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). Additional requirements include that the organization must be either based in Alabama or serve Alabama residents. Each organization may submit only one request for funding per year. Importantly, applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the proposed event or program launch. This ensures that the foundation has ample time for review and selection, enabling effective resource allocation aligned with its strategic goals. Certain types of entities and activities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. These include individuals, political organizations or candidates, private foundations or charities, and sports leagues or teams. Additionally, any activities deemed inappropriate by the foundation will not be supported, though the exact criteria for appropriateness are determined internally by the foundation. This selective process helps ensure that the foundation's resources are channeled into initiatives that reflect its core values and commitment to public good. The grant cycle for 2025 opens on January 1 and closes on November 15. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis within this window, and there is no indication of a fixed award or disbursement date. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the sample application and frequently asked questions provided on The Caring Foundation’s homepage. These resources offer insight into submission best practices, required documentation, and general expectations regarding project alignment with the foundation’s priorities. While specific contact details such as a dedicated grant officer's name, email, or phone number were not provided in the source material, applicants can engage with the foundation through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama website. Links to create an account, apply for grants, and request promotional assets like logos and advertisements are available through the foundation’s online platform. The foundation does not list specific evaluation criteria or scoring rubrics, so applicants should ensure their submissions are well-aligned with the mission areas of health, wellness, and education in Alabama.