Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation

The Blue Cross Foundation's mission is to build strong community partnerships to advance racial and health equity. In 2023, we continued our efforts to improve health throughout Minnesota, providing more than $4.8M in grant funding to our grantee partners.   We celebrate the efforts of 2023, while also looking forward to the work ahead. Deep inequities persist in our state, and inaccessible systems leave health out of reach for many Minnesotans. We continue working to create better outcomes for the communities we serve, in collaboration with our grantee partners, so everyone can achieve their healthiest life.   https://lnkd.in/gyEm3iUV

"Walking in here, you belong. You feel like you're home. We exchange cultures here; we weave together. It's a beautiful place to be." Learn more about grantee partner Rabata, and the important work they do in building strong and healthy connections in community: https://lnkd.in/g-Z3r5kf

“A recent Minnesota Department of Health report indicated that…Black Minnesotans represent 13% of the birthing population but made up 27% of pregnancy-associated deaths between 2017 and 2019. What is more unnerving is that this tragic reality cannot be attributed to biological differences but rather to the structural racism that pervades our society. Factors such as lack of access to quality health care and culturally concordant care, racial bias and discrimination within health care settings, socioeconomic disparities, and environmental stressors all contribute to the elevated risk of maternal death among Black mothers and birthers.” Read more from Foundation board chair Bukata Hayes on ways to ensure safer and more equitable care for all birthers, babies and families, including how the Foundation is supporting community-led solutions of partners like the African American Babies Coalition and Roots Community Birth Center: https://lnkd.in/gE_NJXa8

A quick reminder that the deadline for our 2024 Equitable Care and Coverage funding opportunity is coming up next week!   This funding opportunity is focused on increasing healthcare coverage among Minnesota communities most impacted by a lack of healthcare access, reducing racial disparities in insurance coverage and maintaining historic-low overall uninsurance rates in Minnesota.   Applications are due on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 1 p.m. Central Time.   Visit the link below for details and application materials!   https://lnkd.in/gattr-V9

Congratulations to Foundation board member Dana Erickson on being named a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ) 2024 Women In Business honoree! https://lnkd.in/gJJuXzJB

Congrats to #boardmember Nash Shaikh on this well-deserved recognition!

We are excited to announce a new funding opportunity as part of our Equitable Care and Coverage strategy, focused on increasing healthcare coverage among Minnesota communities most impacted by a lack of healthcare access, reducing racial disparities in insurance coverage and maintaining historic-low overall uninsurance rates in Minnesota.    These grants will support outreach, application and enrollment efforts in communities eligible for public program coverage under Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare, with a focus on communities that are disproportionally uninsured including communities of color, Indigenous communities, undocumented Minnesotans, and those who face other barriers to enrolling in coverage.    Visit the link below to learn more!  https://lnkd.in/gattr-V9  

"Community-based interventions are crucial in this work. Communities have the answers, and it is incumbent on dominant systems and organizations to support and amplify the solutions that communities have identified and built. This includes supporting efforts focused on improving access to care, education, affordable housing, nutritious food, and economic opportunities." Read more in the Sahan Journal about understanding and improving Black maternal health, including how #granteepartners African American Babies Coalition and Roots Community Birth Center are leaders in this important work. #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #BirthEquity https://lnkd.in/ggtDTWJq

Congratulations to Foundation board member May D. Vang on this well-deserved recognition from the Women's Health Leadership TRUST! 🎉

A quick reminder that the deadline for our 2024 Healthy Start funding opportunity is two weeks from today! This funding opportunity is focused on increasing access to quality early childhood care and education supports for vulnerable young children and their caregivers. Applications are due Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 1 p.m. Central Time.   Visit the link below for details, application materials and updated FAQs! https://lnkd.in/gip9Yx2T