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- What is the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas?
It is a charitable foundation established by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
in 2001. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation is an independent
licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves the state of Arkansas.
- What is the purpose of the Foundation?
The Foundation anticipates awarding approximately $1 million in grants annually
to non-profit or governmental organizations and programs that positively affect
the health of Arkansans. Particular emphasis will be given to projects affecting
health-care delivery, health-care policy and health-care economics.
The poor health status of Arkansans contributes to
rising medical costs. By providing funding and working together with other organizations,
the Foundation hopes to establish or expand a number of diverse health-care projects
that will benefit all Arkansans over the long term.
- How is the Foundation funded?
The Foundation is funded by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The Foundation
does not anticipate soliciting funding from other sources.
- What is the amount that will be awarded in grants?
Individual grants awarded will generally range from $5,000 to $150,000. The Foundation
anticipates awarding approximately $1 million in grants annually.
- What is the grant period?
The grant period for a Foundation grant is normally the calendar year, running from
January 1 to December 31.
- What kinds of programs are eligible to receive grants?
Programs or projects should positively affect the health of Arkansans. Particular
emphasis will be given to projects affecting health-care delivery, health-care policy
and health-care economics. (List of Grants
Awarded)
Projects must demonstrate strong community, regional or statewide support, such
as co-funding by other community, regional, or statewide organizations or groups.
Projects should also demonstrate operational and financial viability that will survive
and continue after funding from the Foundation ends.
- What kinds of organizations are eligible to receive grants?
Organizations eligible to receive grants from the Blue & You Foundation:
- Must be an Arkansas-based organization or governmental agency (or if the applying
organization is located outside of Arkansas, the project to be funded must specifically
benefit Arkansans);
- Non-governmental organizations must hold a current designation as tax exempt (non-profit)
under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
- Cannot be a private foundation under IRC § 509(a);
- Primary grantee cannot have a contractual relationship with Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
A "contractual relationship" is defined as an arrangement whereby an organization
has a contract to provide a service or product to the corporate entities of Arkansas
Blue Cross, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the nature of a "vendor" relationship).
Such a relationship would make the organization ineligible for a foundation grant.
Organizations whose sole relationship is that of purchasing health insurance for
its employees from Arkansas Blue Cross, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the nature
of a "customer" relationship), and do not provide a service or product to these
corporate entities, are not considered to have a "contractual relationship" within
this definition, and therefore are eligible for grants, if other eligibility criteria
are met.
Also, an organization that has a contractual relationship to provide a service or
product to individuals or groups that have health insurance through Arkansas Blue
Cross, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the nature of a "provider" relationship),
are eligible to receive grants, if other eligibility criteria are met. For example,
participating providers (physicians or hospitals) are not considered ineligible
simply because they provide a service to individuals insured through Arkansas Blue
Cross, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
An exception to the "provider" guideline above involves those several hospitals which
have a joint venture contractual relationship with Arkansas Blue Cross, its subsidiaries
or affiliates. A grant application from a joint venture hospital would be ineligible.
However, a qualifying Foundation of such a joint venture hospital could be eligible
to apply for a grant, if other eligibility criteria are met.
In summary, "vendors" are ineligible, but "customers" and "providers" as defined
above are generally eligible for grants, if other eligibility criteria are met.
- Are individuals eligible to receive grants?
No, individuals are not eligible. Only nonprofit or governmental organizations are
eligible to receive grants.
- What other kinds of organizations or programs are not eligible for grants?
Grants will not be made to: individuals; fundraising events or celebrations; political
or lobbying organizations; fraternal, athletic or social organizations; organizations
that do not directly serve Arkansas; religious organizations for religious purposes;
capital or endowment of organizations; proposals that are principally for facilities
and/or large equipment; or for attendance at conferences. In making grants, please note
that the Foundation disfavors funding of “indirect costs.” Therefore, when applying,
please omit “indirect costs” from your request and budget. Because of the availability
of funding in Arkansas from the Tobacco Settlement, the Foundation will not fund
proposals that are principally tobacco-related. Also, any organization that has
received Foundation funding for a specific program for a total of two years is not
eligible to reapply for subsequent funding for the same program.
- How does an organization apply for a grant?
Specific grant application requirements are found on the Foundation's Web site:
www.BlueAndYouFoundationArkansas.org. Information may also be obtained by writing
to: Blue & You Foundation, Attention: Patrick O'Sullivan, USAble Corporate Center,
320 W. Capitol, Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201
- What is the 2010 deadline for submitting grant applications?
For calendar year 2010, the Blue & You Foundation will conduct a round of grant-making
which will be completed before December 31, 2010. The deadline for receipt of applications
in 2010 is July 15, 2010.
- How are grant winners chosen?
The Foundation Board of Directors will review grant proposals and choose the grantees,
based on evaluation criteria established by the Foundation.
- What criteria are used to evaluate applications?
Criteria used in evaluating grant applications include:
- Relevance to Blue & You Foundation priorities
- Project design and feasibility
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Documentation of need
- Evidence of broad-based community involvement
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Innovativeness/learning opportunity
- Portability (usefulness in other locales)
-
Leveraging potential
- When will applying organizations be notified of 2010 grant decisions?
Applying organizations will be notified of 2010 grant decisions in November. Public
announcement of 2010 grants will take place by December 31, 2010.
- What will be the timing of the 2011 grant-making cycle?
The Foundation anticipates that the 2011 grant-making cycle will be similar to 2010,
with an invitation to submit proposals being issued publicly in May 2011, the
application deadline in July 2011 and grant awards announced in December 2011.
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