Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $8.2 million (2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (rolling application process)
Grant Range: Varies by program (examples range from ~$250,000 to $900,000 for major institutional grants)
Geographic Focus: Mississippi only
Total Assets: $162.6 million (2024)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.healthiermississippi.org
Phone: 601-664-4504
Address: Flowood, MS
Application Portal: Letter of Inquiry available on website

Overview

Established in 2004, the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is a corporate foundation with total assets of $162.6 million and annual giving of approximately $8.2 million (2024). The Foundation's mission is to improve the health and wellness of all Mississippians, with a focus on healthy eating and exercise. Since its inception, the Foundation has formed relationships with community and school leaders and other stakeholders to build a healthy Mississippi. The Foundation provides leadership and targeted grant funding for sustainable initiatives and programs to improve the overall health and well-being of Mississippians, with special emphasis directed toward programs designed to promote children's health and wellness, community health initiatives, and healthy lifestyles and choices.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation develops signature grant funding opportunities, including:

Healthy Heroes Program: For municipalities to support community health and wellness initiatives
School Garden Program: For K-12 schools to cultivate school gardens; 82 schools funded since 2015
Healthy School Awards Program: Recognizes and rewards exemplary school health and wellness initiatives (builds on school health councils statewide)
Tobacco-Free University/College Programs: Ongoing support for Mississippi's universities and colleges to strengthen tobacco-free policies aligning with the Model Policy for a Smoke-free College/University
Campus Health Initiatives: Large-scale grants for colleges and universities to develop comprehensive wellness programs

Grant amounts vary significantly by program type. Examples of awarded grants include:

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College: Nearly $400,000 for Campus Health Initiative (2015)
Mississippi State University: $900,000 for health and wellness programs
Mississippi State University "MSU on the Move": $359,132 (2017), $256,649 (2016)
Mississippi College: $274,620 for walking track and wellness programs (2014)

Application Method: Rolling basis via Letter of Inquiry submission through the Foundation's website

Priority Areas

The Foundation's targeted grant funding is provided for:

Increasing health literacy
Enhancing or starting farmers' markets
Cultivating community and school gardens
Encouraging tobacco-free environments
Creating outdoor play spaces
Constructing places for physical fitness
Healthy cooking classes
Health education programs
Physical education equipment and innovative curricula for schools
Maternal healthcare facility improvements
Community gardens and farmers' markets with wellness programming

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not provide funding for:

Individuals
Denominational or religious organizations
Political caucuses, candidates, or campaigns
Private foundations
Organizations with contractual relationships with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, its subsidiaries or affiliates
Projects that duplicate or significantly overlap the work of public agencies

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

Sheila Grogan, Executive Director - Has led the Foundation's strategic grant funding initiatives since its inception, presenting major grants to universities and colleges throughout Mississippi

Board of Directors: Each grant application received by the Foundation is presented to the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Board of Directors for funding consideration. Specific board member names are available in the Foundation's Form 990 filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Review Requirements: Before applying, review the Eligibility Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions on the Foundation's website
Submit Letter of Inquiry: Complete a Letter of Inquiry form available at www.healthiermississippi.org
Foundation Response: The Foundation will respond with one of three options:
- Request for a full application
- Request for more information
- Rejection letter
Full Application: If requested, submit a complete application with detailed project information
Board Review: All grant applications are presented to the Board of Directors for funding consideration

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (but not a private foundation) with proof of current IRS designation, OR be a Mississippi municipality, OR be a Mississippi school (K-12), OR be a government entity or public charity
Must be located in Mississippi or, if not located in Mississippi, agree to use grant funds only for the benefit of Mississippi
Must benefit the citizens of Mississippi
Must serve the community with no discrimination by age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability
Cannot have a contractual relationship with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, its subsidiaries or affiliates

Decision Timeline

The Foundation operates on a rolling application basis with no fixed deadlines, accepting Letters of Inquiry throughout the year. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose the number of applications received annually or its success rate for grant applications.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Organizations should contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's funded projects and stated priorities, successful applications should:

Align with Core Focus Areas: Projects that directly address health literacy, physical fitness, nutrition education, tobacco-free environments, and access to healthy foods align strongest with the Foundation's mission. The Foundation has consistently funded school gardens, walking paths, fitness facilities, and farmers' markets.
Demonstrate Sustainable Impact: The Foundation seeks to fund "sustainable initiatives and programs" - successful applicants show how programs will continue beyond the grant period. Examples include MSU's multi-year "MSU on the Move" initiative which received multiple grants over several years.
Serve Mississippi Communities: All projects must benefit Mississippians. The Foundation has funded initiatives in both urban and rural areas, including the Delta Fresh Foods Initiative in Bolivar County and projects at universities, community colleges, and K-12 schools statewide.
Target Children and Youth: Special emphasis is directed toward children's health and wellness. School-based programs, from elementary school gardens to university campus wellness centers, represent a significant portion of funded projects.
Build Community Partnerships: The Foundation values projects that bring together community and school leaders. Successful grants often involve collaboration between educational institutions, local governments, and community organizations.
Include Physical Activity Components: Projects incorporating outdoor play spaces, walking paths, fitness equipment, and physical education programs are frequently funded. The Foundation partnered with Project Fit America to provide P.E. teachers with equipment and curricula.
Address Preventive Health: The Foundation promotes "preventive health as a solution for the health care crisis." Projects that prevent health problems rather than treating existing conditions align with this philosophy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Rolling deadlines make timing flexible: Submit your Letter of Inquiry when your project is well-developed, as applications are accepted year-round
Start with alignment: Ensure your project clearly addresses one or more of the Foundation's specific funding purposes (health literacy, farmers' markets, school gardens, tobacco-free environments, outdoor play spaces, or physical fitness facilities)
Emphasize Mississippi impact: Clearly articulate how your project will improve health outcomes for Mississippians, particularly children and families
Think long-term: Demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period and explain how the initiative will create lasting change
Build on proven models: The Foundation has funded similar programs across multiple institutions; referencing successful models (like school gardens or campus wellness initiatives) can strengthen your application
Consider collaborative approaches: Projects that bring together schools, municipalities, and community organizations appear well-positioned for success
Be prepared for the two-step process: The Letter of Inquiry is your first impression; make it compelling and aligned with the Foundation's priorities to earn an invitation for a full application

References

Information accessed December 2025