Social Mission
We promote healthy communities
Blue Cross collaborates with organizations across the state to help families and communities thrive. Through these alliances, we promote healthy communities, increase access to affordable healthcare and enhance the quality of care patients receive.
Building Healthy Communities
Since 2009, our Building Healthy Communities program has helped more than 615,000 students in 1,442 schools. The program aims to create healthier school environments and, in turn, reduce childhood obesity, prevent chronic disease, improve academic achievement and address mental health and well-being.
Strengthening the Safety Net
The Strengthening the Safety Net program funds clinics throughout the state of Michigan that provide free or low-cost medical, dental and behavioral health services. Grantees also help patients obtain medication, insurance coverage, food and other necessities. Every year since 2005, Blue Cross has supported up to 50 clinics providing care for more than 250,000 patients.
Food Pantry Grant
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is partnering with Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan and Superior Health Foundation to address food access. We are accepting applications for the 2026 Food Pantry Grant until June 22, 2026. By increasing the capacity of local food pantries to provide nutrient-rich, fresh food options that require refrigeration, we hope to improve statewide access.
The goal is for community members to have improved access to healthy food options like milk, cheese, fruit, vegetables, yogurt and cottage cheese. To date, 220 food pantries, located in 57 counties, serving 93,000 Michigan residents monthly, benefited from this grant opportunity. Take a look at our list of local food pantries awarded in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Disability Health Care Access and Quality
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness awarded grant funding to seven Michigan safety net healthcare organizations working to advance healthcare access and quality for people with disabilities.
Grantees include:
- Corktown Health, Detroit
- Covenant Community Care, Detroit
- Mott Children's Health Center, Child & Adolescent Dentistry, Flint
- Taylor Street Primary Care Clinic, Detroit
- Thumb Community Health Partnership, Sandusky
- VINA Community Dental Center, Brighton
- The Corner Health Center, Ypsilanti
Disability Health Care Access and Quality grants help medical and dental clinics purchase equipment and supplies, enhance website accessibility and digital materials, and train their teams to improve care for people with disabilities.
Other funding opportunities
Health through Giving
Investing in healthy communities
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation funds research and programs to improve healthcare in Michigan. And through our community contributions program, we consider requests from Michigan-based 501(c)(3) organizations working to improve healthcare.