New Horizons Grants

About New Horizons Grants

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation recognizes the need to foster innovation as means of improving health and wellbeing in Louisiana. Through this program, we hope to encourage a research-based and scientific approach to philanthropy through testing ideas and seeing what works. The first step in that process is challenging the status quo with new ideas.

A successful New Horizons project may make changes in policies, norms practices and social supports; it may also be a new pilot intervention,  plan or approach to solving an existing issue.

Purpose

Grants help pilot innovative, proof of concept projects aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Louisianians.About New Horizons Grants

New Horizons Grants support innovative approaches that either solve or more effectively address existing issues related to health, education or well-being.

A New Horizons Grant project could include, but is not limited to:

* Creating a resource that doesn’t currently exist;
* Creating and/or piloting a service that doesn’t currently exist;
* Taking an existing resource or service that isn’t currently effective and implementing it in a new way or field; or
* Conducting research that has not been conducted to date.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* The New Horizons grant program is for new, experimental ideas. Grants are given to promote innovation by funding brand new pilot projects through their first year.

* You should apply for a New Horizons grant if:

* You have a narrow, specific problem you’re trying to solve; AND
* You are presenting a new and innovative approach to solving that issue.

* All New Horizons applications must:

* Explain how your proposal is a new, innovative approach to solving the problem you have identified above; AND
* Explain how you are substantially revising or altering an existing best practice, such that your proposal represents a new approach.

* All organizations applying for grants or sponsorships must:

* Be designated a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the IRS.

* We only give to nonprofit organizations working for charitable, religious, scientific, literary and other organizations under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).

* 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.
* You can find more information here.

* Be domiciled in Louisiana.

* We only make gifts to organizations who are based in Louisiana and working for the welfare of Louisianians

Ineligibility

* We do not fund New Horizons proposals for the following:

* Existing programs or ongoing organizational support
* Existing best practices support
* Replicating or expanding a program or approach that already exists.

* In addition, neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana or its Foundation makes grants or sponsorships to the following under any circumstances:

* Providers on contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana;
* 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 ;
* Capital projects or campaigns ;
* Organizations or causes that do not complement the Foundation’s mission.