Our Grant and Sponsorship Programs

Each year, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois supports non-profit organizations working to improve health equity in divested communities throughout the state. Through its grant and sponsorship programs, BCBSIL seeks to support and learn from community partners with missions to build a healthier Illinois. Charitable contributions allow BCBSIL to resource local non-profit leaders to support innovative, sustainable, and impactful organizations that strengthen and enrich Illinois communities.

BCBSIL supports community-based non-profit organizations that share a mission to build health equity and align with our strategic priorities. BCBSIL accepts requests for sponsorships and grants from non-profit organizations that are located within and serve Illinois residents and are defined as tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

The BCBSIL sponsorship program is now open.

Organizations working to improve community health and wellness may request sponsorship support from BCBSIL. Sponsorship awards are smaller than grants, ranging between $250–$5,000. Examples of sponsorship awards include galas, dinners, health fairs, luncheons, seminars, conferences, walks and/or runs and similar activities. The range may be higher ($5,000–$15,000) for community-based health fairs, drives, etc.

Please note: To increase the number of organizations who have access to BCBSIL community investment support, an organization may receive a grant or a sponsorship, but not both, within a given year. Requests for sponsorship consideration must be made at least 2 months in advance of project or event.

Request for sponsorship consideration must be made through our online application. For questions about sponsorships, contact Vivian Mikhail.

Due to overwhelming demand, the Blue Impact℠ Grant application process is closed for 2025. The next application cycle will open in early 2026.

As a company, investing in our communities is paramount to the BCBSIL mission. Access to care and easing social determinants of health (SDOH) are important to community wellbeing. BCBSIL provides grants in five areas of focus, which are comparable to the SDOH outlined in Healthy People 2030. The five areas of focus are:

Economic Opportunity and Stability: Addressing issues such as poverty, removing barriers to employment, providing good jobs, and upskilling.

Food Access and Nutrition: Supporting efforts to decrease hunger and increase access to nutritional food.

Neighborhood and Built Environment: Focusing on affordable healthy housing, access to transportation, safe outdoor spaces, and access to physical activity.

Locally Defined Health Solutions: Addressing hyperlocal health and human service needs, community collaborations that improve community wellbeing, interrupt violence, or build peaceful communities.

Optimal Health Outcomes: Helping close gaps in care, specifically around six priority areas: immunizations; diabetes care; cardiovascular care; behavioral health; early detection cancer screening and maternal & infant health.

What BCBSIL Does Not Fund

For the grant and sponsorship programs, the BCBSIL focus is health and human services; therefore, priority is given to organizations addressing community needs in the specific areas above. Only requests that directly benefit Illinois residents are considered for funding.

The following requests will not be considered for funding:

• Organizations or projects with written policies that discriminate against individuals based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
• School athletic programs
• Applications from individuals or support for a sole individual
• Applications that do not align with our funding priorities
• Subscriptions
• Telethons
• Political campaigns
• Religious activities
• Fraternal activities
• Animal welfare