There are currently no funding opportunities available at this time. Please check back in 2011 for updated information on future funding opportunities within this initiative.

About the Small Grant Fund

In early 2009, the Blue Cross Foundation surveyed grantee organizations to learn how they were responding to the challenging economic environment. As a result of the survey, the Foundation launched an innovative strategic response fund that incorporated leadership development into the grantmaking process.

Small grants were available to current nonprofit grantee and cross sector partnerships

The small grants program totaling $400,000 was open to Blue Cross Foundation grantees with active grants. A grantee was required to participate in a convening and a discovery discussion to be eligible to apply. Grants of up to $20,000 for up to one year were available for planning and implementation activities to address innovation, management, financial, governance, and/or structural issues.

How were the small grants used for the organization or partnership?

Grants funds were intended to strengthen the long-term sustainability of current grantees. Examples of capacity-building activities included: board/staff development, earned income strategies, marketing and communications, program redesign, strategic partnerships, merger exploration, collaboration development and assessment, nonprofit business development and innovation.

Funds were used to support staff time to participate in training, planning, and implementation activities; consultant fees related to organizational planning and implementation activities; board participation in coaching and planning activities; and other related expenses.