BlueHealth Advantage Wellness Grants
A Program for Greater Nebraska Communities
Why should your community come together and find a great idea for wellness? Because we want to help make it happen. Local health and wellness initiatives can create a path to a healthier community.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska exists to deliver the health and wellness solutions that people value most. A walking trail, a playground, a wellness center - all of these things can be those solutions. We want to challenge you to help find
the answer for your hometown. And we’re here to help.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is pleased to announce a new community-initiated grant program. In 2008, $50,000 will be divided among non-profit organizations in as many as 10 towns and villages outside of the Omaha/Lincoln metropolitan areas. In this brochure and outlined below,
you will find the guidelines and how-to’s for making sure that your organization competes for these dollars.
While Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is committed to supporting healthier communities,
we firmly believe that the real ideas and answers will come from you, your neighbors and your town leaders. We look forward to hearing from you.
Guidelines
Grant recipients should be able to demonstrate several of the following:
- Innovative, community-based solutions that produce positive health outcomes and measurable results
- Active participation in health and wellness initiatives by community residents
- Preventive health and wellness practices that focus on the root of specific diseases before the diseases become life-threatening
- Collaboration and partnership among community organizations, where appropriate
- Increased community awareness of effective health and wellness practices
- Defined measurable outcomes
Funding Priorities for 2008
- Wellness, Nutrition and Fitness Programs
- Childhood Obesity
- Health and Wellness Disparities
- Prevention and Early Detection of Chronic Disease
- Tobacco Cessation
Eligibility
Organizations eligible to apply for a grant must meet these criteria:
- Located in a Nebraska community outside of the Omaha and Lincoln metropolitan areas; (Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster Counties are excluded)
- Provide documentation showing IRS 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt status
- In existence for at least one year
- Demonstrate that it is fiscally responsible, well-managed and successful in meeting measurable goals
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a letter, not to exceed five (5) pages, 12-point type,
which provides the following information in the following order:
- Provide a brief overview of the applicant organization and its mission
- Describe the Grant Request by answering the following:
- Project Name
- Requested Amount
- Concise description of the program
- Outcomes-based narrative on the impact of the program or project on those served:
- What are the measurable outcomes you expect if you receive funding?
- What methods will be used to evaluate the project or program?
- Demographics - Describe the population you plan to serve including number
of individuals, geographic location of individuals (statewide or your community),
age, socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, language, gender, etc.
- Public Relations – Explain how you would raise awareness of the grant,
if awarded, and your public relations efforts related to the grant.
- Answer the following questions:
- What are some of your recent accomplishments? Emphasize achievements of the
past year, both quantitative and qualitative.
- Explain any significant changes in agency revenues or expenses from one year
to the next, as well as purpose of cash reserves or endowment.
- Do you collaborate with other agencies: If yes, which ones and describe your
organization’s track record regarding collaboration.
- List the sources of funding you are soliciting for this project, noting committed
dollars and pending grants.
- Attachments: (These are not included in the five page maximum)
- Copy of most recent IRS tax-exemption letter indicating your agency’s
status.
- List of current officers and board of directors and their professional affiliations.
- Two (2) testimonial letters from program clients.
- This year’s and prior year’s major corporate and foundation donors.
- Staff list including name, position, titles and indication of full-time, part-time and volunteers.
- Agency Budget – Income (committed and anticipated) and expenses for
the current program and previous program, or current and previous fiscal years.
Plus budget from previous fiscal year. If there is a positive fund balance or
deficit from previous year, account for it in current year’s budget.
- Financial Statement - Balance Sheet and Income/Expense Statement, audited
if available, for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Application Deadline
- Nine (9) copies of the complete application packet are due at Blue Cross
and Blue Shield of Nebraska by April 2, 2008. Copies must be typewritten; e-mail
copies will not be accepted. Incomplete applications, late applications, or
those longer than five pages will not be reviewed.
- Submit application to:
Celann LaGreca
Vice President of Community Investment
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
7261 Mercy Road
Omaha, Nebraska 68180
- Direct questions to:
Carol Vidlak
carol.vidlak@bcbsne.com
Phone (402) 398-3734
Other Considerations
- Grant applications will be reviewed by the BCBSNE Corporate Contribution
Committee, with outside representation from the wellness community. Grants will
be awarded to those which best meet the criteria described in this
Request For Proposal
- Grant recipients will be notified in June. Presentation of grant funds
will occur no later than October 2008
- Accountability – Grant recipients will be expected to report measurable
outcomes by the end of the grant cycle
- Grants will be awarded for a period of one year. Multi-year requests
will not be Consecutive year approvals will be decided on measurable outcomes
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