BluePrints for the Community

The BluePrints for the Community grant program, established in 2007 by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware, is managed as a donor-advised fund at the Delaware Community Foundation. This initiative was launched to support Delaware's uninsured and underserved communities. Through 2022, the program has awarded over 300 grants totaling more than $28 million. The grants are geared toward addressing disparities and enhancing access to care, guided by the principles of community investment and long-term impact. Proposals submitted under this program must aim to either increase access to healthcare or reduce health disparities. Eligible project categories include Healthcare Access, Economic Stability, Social and Community Context, Neighborhood and Built Environment, and Health Workforce. Examples of relevant project themes are preventative care, food insecurity, mental health initiatives, transportation safety, and healthcare workforce development. Eligibility for the grant is limited to incorporated nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and community-benefit government agencies such as libraries, parks, and public school districts. Individuals are not eligible. Organizations represented on the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware or Delaware Community Foundation boards must disclose conflicts of interest. Entities with existing or past grants can apply again, although prior engagement with the program may influence funding decisions. The grant process is bifurcated into two categories based on funding requests. The Large Grants Process is for requests exceeding $50,000, with those over $200,000 requiring a pre-submission meeting. The Small Grant Process covers requests of up to $50,000 and cannot be used as supplemental funding for large grants. Applications for both processes must be submitted through the Delaware Community Foundation. Applications must adhere to specific submission deadlines, which are published on the BluePrints for the Community schedule. These deadlines are fixed to 11:59 pm on listed dates but are subject to change. Historical special cycles have included the Social Determinants of Health Grant in 2020 and an Opioid Grant in 2019, showcasing the program’s responsiveness to emergent health issues. For assistance or questions regarding the application process, applicants may contact BluePrints for the Community at 1-800-241-5704. No specific email contact is listed in the available material. Interested parties are encouraged to review the annual and quarterly reports available for further insights into past grant impacts and strategic directions.