Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Event Sponsorships

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), through its corporate giving program, offers a sponsorship opportunity aimed at fostering healthier communities across the state. As part of its broader mission to support well-being and public health, BCBSAZ invites nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities to apply for event sponsorships. These sponsorships are intended to assist events that align with BCBSAZ’s mission and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of Arizona communities. Funding is limited and competitive, with only a select number of sponsorships awarded each year. This grant opportunity is not intended for general programming or operations funding, but specifically supports events that are strategically aligned with the funder's health-related priorities. BCBSAZ’s sponsorships are tailored to strengthen and support events that directly benefit communities and advance health outcomes in Arizona. While the foundation does not list specific types of allowable or restricted costs, the expectation is that funding should go towards costs directly associated with planning and executing qualifying community events. The overarching objective is to support events that facilitate access to health resources, promote community wellness, or celebrate health milestones and initiatives. Applications are judged based on how closely the event supports these outcomes. The application period for the 2026 cycle opens on January 1, 2026, and closes on January 31, 2026. All applications must be submitted through the Arizona Community Foundation’s online portal. Organizations are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as late or incomplete applications may not be considered. Importantly, the funder requires that all sponsorship applications be submitted at least 60 days prior to the date of the event being funded. This deadline ensures sufficient time for the review and sponsorship allocation process. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, tribal entities, faith-based organizations, and government agencies. This inclusive eligibility model reflects BCBSAZ’s aim to reach a broad range of community-serving organizations. However, the sponsorship must clearly align with the community benefit mission of BCBSAZ, and applications must demonstrate the expected health and wellness outcomes of the sponsored event. There is no indication of a required pre-application process such as a letter of intent or concept paper. The funder has not provided a detailed list of evaluation criteria, nor have they outlined required components for the application itself. Additionally, there is no information provided on performance periods, notification dates, or reporting expectations. This lack of detail suggests that applications are evaluated primarily based on alignment with BCBSAZ’s mission and the impact potential of the proposed event. While the grant opportunity is hosted by the Arizona Community Foundation, the specific contact information or a downloadable PDF with guidelines was not provided in the source. Applicants are expected to use the Foundation’s grant management portal to manage their applications. The opportunity appears to be recurring on an annual basis, with a consistent opening in early January. Based on the current cycle ending January 31, 2026, and the language indicating this is an annual process, the next anticipated cycle would open in January 2027. An internal review of the opportunity should be scheduled for early December 2026 to prepare for the following year’s cycle.