Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grants

Overview

_NOTE: Deadline is Immediate and ongoing, as long as funds allow and there is need._

Background

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Louisianans with a specific emphasis on kids of high need and community level efforts to improve wellness and wellbeing. In times of disaster and crisis, we recognize the importance of front-line organizations who meet immediate needs and help communities and families recover.

The Foundation does not normally offer general operating support through its grant programs. However, we know that disaster and crisis response calls for more flexibility to meet community needs. We are interested in both immediate needs (food security, housing, etc.) and medium-term needs (family economic recovery) being addressed for those in need across the state of Louisiana as these directly tie to the health, wellness and wellbeing of communities in the short and long term.

The ideal proposal will also help us clearly understand what you are doing to mitigate community concerns and how you will define success.

Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grants

The Louisiana Blue Foundation is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Louisianans with a specific emphasis on kids of high need and community level efforts to improve wellness and wellbeing. In times of disaster and crisis, we recognize the importance of front-line organizations who meet immediate needs and help communities and families recover. The Foundation does not normally offer general operating support through its grant programs. However, we know that disaster and crisis response call for more flexibility to meet community needs. We are interested in both immediate needs (food security, housing, etc.) and medium-term needs (family economic recovery) being addressed for those in need across the state of Louisiana as these directly tie to the health, wellness, and wellbeing of communities in the short and long term.The ideal proposal will also help us clearly understand what you are doing to mitigate community concerns and how you will define success.

Purpose

We offer Community Crisis & Disaster Response grants to help non-profits and other community partners address the immediate community needs after a disaster or crisis. The funds may be used for specific programs or as general operating support to continue supporting vulnerable communities after a disaster. As of Sept. 2, 2021, the Louisiana Blue Foundation has allocated funding under this grant program to respond to the impacts of Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, other recent natural disasters, and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on the state of Louisiana.

Amount

Up to $50,000. In all cases grants can be used to support general operating costs. The Foundation allocated $15,000,000 related to these efforts.

Length of time

We are looking for projects that can be implemented immediately but also may be executed over time to alleviate specific needs following a disaster or associated with an ongoing community crisis.

Eligibility

_We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's [website]().
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* Louisiana-based, 501(c)(3) organizations working to support those directly impacted by a recent, declared disaster or crisis may apply.
* Louisiana-based 501(c) 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 19 organizations may apply provided that their efforts are related to the Foundation’s mission, are similarly supporting those directly impacted by a recent, declared disaster or crisis and if they can demonstrate clearly how this work being supported is otherwise the same as community and charitable work being done by a 501(c)(3) organization.
* Be domiciled in Louisiana
* We only make gifts to organizations who are based in Louisiana and working for the welfare of Louisianians.
* Be registered “in good standing” with the Louisiana Secretary of State.
* All organizations must be up-to-date on their filings with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Ineligibility

* In addition, neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana or its Foundation makes grants or sponsorships to the following under any circumstances:
* Providers in any Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, HMO or other affiliate networks – per state and federal regulations
* Programs or events outside of Louisiana
* Organizations that are not tax-exempt
* Political campaigns, candidates, parties or partisan activities
* Sectarian, denominational or religious organizations for support of theological functions
* Athletes or athletic teams
* Beauty pageants
* Direct funding of labor, fraternal or veterans’ organizations
* Students raising funds for travel to an out-of-state competition
* Parent-teacher organizations
* Organizations that are in direct competition with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
* Organizations or causes that do not complement our goals for corporate social responsibility
* Providers on contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana

Application Details

Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grants
Request for Proposals
Summary
◼ Purpose – We offer Community Crisis & Disaster Response grants to help non-profits
and other community partners address the immediate community needs after a
disaster or crisis. The funds may be used for specific programs or as general
operating support to continue supporting vulnerable communities after a disaster. As
of Sept. 2, 2021, the Blue Cross Foundation has allocated funding under this grant
program to respond to the impacts of Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane
Delta, other recent natural disasters, and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on the
state of Louisiana.
◼ Eligibility – Louisiana-based, 501(c)(3) organizations working to support those
directly impacted by a recent, declared disaster or crisis may apply. Louisiana-based
501(c) 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 19 organizations may apply provided that their efforts are
related to the Foundation’s mission, are similarly supporting those directly impacted
by a recent, declared disaster or crisis and provided that they can demonstrate clearly
how this work being supported is otherwise the same as community and charitable
work being done by a 501(c)(3) organization.
◼ Amount – Grant awards fall in two categories:
o COVID-19 Response: Up to $50,000
o Hurricane Relief: Up to $250,000 for organizations serving in parishes covered
under a federal disaster declaration ; up to $50,000 for organizations serving
other parishes.
o In all cases grants can be used to support general operating costs. The
Foundation allocated $15,000,000 related to these efforts.
◼ Length of time – We are looking for projects that can be implemented immediately
but also may be executed over time to alleviate specific needs following a disaster or
associated with an ongoing community crisis.
Request for Proposals – Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grant Program, pg. 1
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
Updated & Final, 9-2-2021

◼ Applying – Online via our website and an abbreviated application at
www.bcbslafoundation.org. The application calls for an overview of the organization
requesting support, a description of the community and needs being addressed and
a high-level outline of what the funds will enable. Competitive organizations and
proposals may be asked to share additional details to aid in consideration.
◼ Deadlines – Immediate and ongoing, as long as funds allow and there is need.
Purpose
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is committed to improving the
health and wellbeing of Louisianans with a specific emphasis on kids of high need and
community level efforts to improve wellness and wellbeing. In times of disaster and crisis,
we recognize the importance of front-line organizations who meet immediate needs and
help communities and families recover.
The Foundation does not normally offer general operating support through its grant
programs. However, we know that disaster and crisis response calls for more flexibility to
meet community needs. We are interested in both immediate needs (food security,
housing, etc.) and medium-term needs (family economic recovery) being addressed for
those in need across the state of Louisiana as these directly tie to the health, wellness and
wellbeing of communities in the short and long term.
The ideal proposal will also help us clearly understand what you are doing to mitigate
community concerns and how you will define success.
Selection and Awards
Online via our website and an abbreviated application at www.bcbslafoundation.org. The
application calls for an overview of the organization requesting support, a description of
the community and needs being addressed and a high-level outline of what the funds will
enable. Competitive organizations and proposals may be asked to submit additional
details to aid in consideration.
Submitting a formal application is not a guarantee of funding. Funding is limited; we
cannot fund every effort even if it meets our criteria for success.
Request for Proposals – Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grant Program, pg. 2
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
Updated & Final, 9-2-2021

The maximum amount awarded per grant will be $250,000 and funding for grants is at
the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.
The ideal Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grant outlines how the organization is:
◼ Serving a clearly defined need within the community that was caused or exacerbated
by the current crisis and/ or will be doing so in the coming days and weeks
◼ Properly staffed with capacity to complete the proposed effort safely and efficiently
◼ Able to measure and communicate immediate services delivered and the impact of
these services over time
Full Eligibility Requirements
You can find our full eligibility requirements online at http://bcbslafoundation.org/our-
programs/grants/eligibility-requirements/
Must be designated a 501 (c)(3) or other nonprofit organization by the IRS
We traditionally only give to nonprofit organizations working for charitable, religious,
scientific, literary and other organizations under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). In
times of disaster and under unique circumstances we are willing to consider gifts to other
types of non-profit (501 (c) 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 19) organizations as long as the funds are
clearly used for charitable and community purposes and all required documentation needs
are met.
Must be registered “in good standing” with the Louisiana or appropriate
Secretary of State
All organizations must be up-to-date on their filings with the Louisiana or appropriate state
Secretary of State. You can find more information here: http://www.sos.la.gov/
Must be domiciled in Louisiana
We only make gifts to organizations who are working in Louisiana and working for the
welfare of Louisianians.
Request for Proposals – Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grant Program, pg. 3
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
Updated & Final, 9-2-2021