Community Health Matching Grant Program (Michigan)

Overview

Through this program, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation partners with health professionals and community leaders at nonprofit organizations. We want to develop population-led, community-inspired programs or implement evidence-based programs to address community-identified needs, and evaluate measurable programmatic and health outcomes. This award offers up to $25,000 per year for two years.

‍

Eligibility

Applicants must be nonprofit community organizations based in Michigan.

Matching funds are required based on the size of the organization’s budget as well as the percent of Medicaid and uninsured patients served. Please note the applicant organization cannot serve as its own match.

For nonprofits with a budget of less than $10 million:

• If less than 30 percent of your organization's patient population is on Medicaid or uninsured, we require a 25 percent match.
• If more than 30 percent of your organization's patient population is on Medicaid or uninsured, we require a 10 percent match.

For nonprofits with a budget of more than $10 million:

• If less than 30 percent of your organization's patient population is on Medicaid or uninsured, we require a 60 percent match.
• If more than 30 percent of your organization's patient population is on Medicaid or uninsured, we require a 25 percent match.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan employees and their immediate family members are ineligible. Employees of any BCBSM affiliate and their immediate family members also are ineligible.

‍

Grant application process

Thank you for your interest in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation’s grantmaking opportunities. We have concluded receiving concept papers for 2025 and are currently updating the submission process for our 2026 grant program schedule.

Grant application timelines

All deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. Applications are reviewed up to the date indicated, which is when the board meets for discussion. After the application is reviewed at our board meeting, applicants will receive an email with the funding decision within 10 business days.

We will begin accepting new concept papers on Aug. 15, 2025, and encourage you to return to our site and submit a concept paper.

Winter Schedule

• Concept Paper Opens: August 15, 2025
• Concept Paper Due: Oct. 29, 2025
• Applications Accepted Until Jan. 7, 2026
• Applications Reviewed April 15, 2026

Spring Schedule

• Concept Paper Due - Feb. 4, 2026
• Applications Accepted Until April 15, 2026
• Applications Reviewed - July 22, 2026

Summer Schedule

• Concept Paper Due - May 27, 2026
• Applications Accepted Until Aug. 5, 2026
• Applications Reviewed - Nov. 18, 2026

‍

Proposal requirements

The application process is comprehensive, so it helps to understand what's involved at the outset of applying. Here is what you will be expected to deliver if your concept paper is approved and you move onto the proposal process.

Proposal packages must include a narrative of the following:

• Purpose of project
• Description of the need
• How this work addresses the need
• How this work addresses health outcomes and non-medical drivers of health
• Program activities description
• Evaluation and methodology
• Description of potential problems or obstacles in project and plan to overcome
• Expected impact or outcomes; include measurable outcomes and what impacts and outcomes you expect the target population to experience as a result of the project
• Implications to cost, quality, and/or access to healthcare
• Sustainability plan
• Potential for replication

Other materials you'll be expected to deliver or review, sign and submit:

• Planned Participant Enrollment Table
  
• Detailed budget and budget justification documents, including:
  • Funds requested, anticipated or provided by other sources for the same or similar project must be described in detail on an attached sheet and referenced in a cover letter.
  • The Foundation does not pay for indirect costs except for limited fringe benefits, including health, personal and/or medical benefits. The allowable fringe benefit expense may not exceed the lesser of 25 percent of the salary subtotal figure or the actual cost of the fringe benefits.
  • The Foundation does not pay for tuition expenses or continuing education units for the PI, project staff, or students.
  • The following are not supported by this funding program: computer equipment, including hardware and software; one-time use consumables, such as medical and office supplies; furnishings; and capital expenses, such as phone, rent, building insurance.
  • Conference travel is limited to $1,000.
• Letters from Co-funder(s)
• Project Timeline
• If applicable, figures and tables
• Resume of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel/staff
• Copy of the organization’s mission, history, and services
• Copy of most recent Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax determination letter
• Copy of organization’s most recent tax return or audited financial statement

‍

‍

Shared Via Common River

This opportunity was sourced via Common River, a weekly newsletter and platform for climate funding opportunities and roles. Subscribe and explore more at https://www.ourcommonriver.org/

‍