PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — Joined by Gov. Jim Justice, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia has announced an $18 million investment to launch the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health.
The newly formed Fund is an extension of the health plan’s Foundation, supporting its mission to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in West Virginia.
“This is such an exciting announcement because the creation of this fund has the opportunity to genuinely improve the lives of so many West Virginians,” Justice said. “I couldn’t be more thankful to Highmark West Virginia. Their longtime dedication to the people of our state is off the charts, and to see them make an investment of this magnitude proves how much they truly care.
“But the best part about this fund is that it’s going to enable us to continue improving the health and wellness of West Virginians for years and years to come.”
The Highmark WV Charitable Fund will award major grants to organizations and initiatives throughout the region that target and improve health outcomes in priority health areas, including community health; family health; access to care; service delivery systems; chronic disease; and oral health.
“The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health builds on our health plan’s long-standing commitment to the community and amplifies our impact by awarding major health grants in all 55 counties of West Virginia,” said Jim Fawcett, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia. “We are extremely proud to support organizations who work collaboratively to address barriers to health, ultimately enhancing the overall health of our region.”
To support its overall strategy to address the social determinants of health, the Highmark WV Charitable Fund is issuing a Request for Proposals to organizations focused on health and social services or oral and dental health. The deadline for organizations to apply for funding is June 30, with funding decisions announced later in the summer.
“West Virginians across the state will greatly benefit from this newly created Highmark WV Charitable Fund for Health”, said Del. Brent Boggs, D-Braxton. “As a member of Highmark WV’s board of directors and chair of the Charitable Fund, I’m extremely proud and excited to be part of this announcement and look forward to grant announcement in the coming months.”
Grant funding is made in support of projects that are consistent with Highmark’s mission, strategies and focus as a community-based health plan, demonstrate new and sustainable ways to solve health problems and illustrate the effectiveness of early intervention and preventive health. Organizations should visit https://highmarkwvfund.versaic.com for more information and to submit a request for consideration.
The Highmark Foundation has invested several million dollars to support health-focused programs in Western Pennsylvania, Central Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley and West Virginia in the last decade. It will continue to provide meaningful grants in West Virginia to complement the Highmark WV Charitable Health Fund for Health, specifically focusing on school, large public health and family grants.
“The Highmark Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities we serve,” said Yvonne Cook, president of the Highmark Foundation. “Central to our mission is identifying and continuously re-evaluating our region’s prevailing health-care needs. That’s why we’re pleased to launch the West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health so we can continue supporting the well-being of our community.”
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