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BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation

Annual Giving
$18.0M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.5M
Decision Time
3mo

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $18 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 8-10 weeks after application deadline
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $500,000+ (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Statewide (South Carolina only)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.bcbsscfoundation.org

Phone: 803-788-0222

Email: info.foundation@bcbssc.com

Address: Columbia, SC

Overview

Established in 2003, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is a statewide health funder dedicated to improving health outcomes for all South Carolinians, particularly economically vulnerable populations. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $71 million in grants to nonprofits, government agencies, research institutions, and K-12 schools across South Carolina. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; interested organizations must first submit a Letter of Intent during designated funding cycles. In 2023, the Foundation distributed $18 million across 53 grants. The Foundation emphasizes systemic population health issues, balancing immediate, measurable improvements with long-term sustainable changes. Maya Pack, Executive Director of the South Carolina Institute of Medicine & Public Health, noted: "The Foundation goes above and beyond to provide proactive and innovative support to address the critical health needs of our state."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Health Priority Grants: Rolling applications via Letter of Intent (Spring and Fall cycles)

  • Grant amounts vary widely based on project scope—no maximum specified
  • Funding periods range from 1-5 years
  • Letter of Intent deadlines: February (spring cycle), August (fall cycle)
  • Recent awards have ranged from approximately $50,000 to $500,000+

Catalyst Grants: $25,000 (Fixed amount)

  • 12-month grant term
  • Three annual funding cycles: January, June, and August
  • Designed to support innovative health initiatives

WISE School Grants: $2,000 - $8,000

  • For K-12 schools based on enrollment size and Title I status
  • Small schools (<500 students): $4,000 (Title I) / $2,000 (non-Title I)
  • Medium schools (500-700 students): $6,000 (Title I) / $4,000 (non-Title I)
  • Large schools (>700 students): $8,000 (Title I) / $6,000 (non-Title I)

Volunteer Grant Program: $500

  • Awards to nonprofits where BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina employees/retirees volunteer 40+ hours annually

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on three main health priorities:

1. Oral Health

  • Improving the oral health care system
  • Increasing access to dental services
  • Enhancing workforce development
  • Supporting quality and innovation in dental care
  • Recent funding examples: School-based dental programs, mobile dental clinics, expanding services to underserved populations

2. Mental Health

  • Building resilience and well-being for youth and families
  • Strengthening the mental health workforce
  • Improving quality and coordination of mental health care
  • Enhancing collaboration in communities to support families
  • Recent funding examples: Integrated mental health counseling at pediatric practices, trauma-informed care for children

3. Diabetes

  • Partnership with Diabetes Free SC
  • Aligning efforts of diabetes-focused community partners statewide
  • Prevention and management programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Doctor, dentist, or pharmacist salaries
  • Other grant-making foundations
  • Animal-related projects
  • Solely operational support without programmatic impact
  • Events or sponsorships
  • For-profit entities
  • Scholarships, fellowships, or individual grants
  • Political or religious causes (unless community-serving and separately designated)
  • Travel, contests, or events without a charitable beneficiary
  • Indirect costs (explicitly not allowable)

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation operates as a licensed subsidiary of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Specific board member information is not publicly disclosed, though the Foundation maintains professional staff including grants managers, program officers, and research analysts. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation board of directors makes final approval decisions on all grants.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Health Priority Grants (Invitation-Only Process):

  1. Submit Letter of Intent: Organizations must begin with a Letter of Intent during designated cycles

    • Spring cycle: Letter of Intent due in February
    • Fall cycle: Letter of Intent due in August
    • Submit through online grant portal only
    • One Letter of Intent per organization per funding cycle

  2. Letter of Intent Review: Foundation reviews within approximately 2 weeks from deadline

  3. Invitation to Apply: Selected organizations receive invitations to submit full applications

  4. Full Application Submission: Invited organizations submit detailed applications through online portal

Catalyst Grants (Open Application):

Organizations can apply directly during three annual funding cycles beginning in January, June, and August through the online application portal.

WISE School Grants:

K-12 schools apply directly through the Foundation's online portal during designated cycles.

Decision Timeline

Health Priority Grants:

  • Letter of Intent review: ~2 weeks from deadline
  • Full application review: Foundation Board reviews approximately 8 weeks after application deadline
  • Total timeline from Letter of Intent to decision: ~10-12 weeks
  • Grant start dates: Early June (spring cycle) or early January (fall cycle) once grant agreements are fully executed

Catalyst Grants:

  • Foundation Board reviews applications approximately 8 weeks after application deadline
  • Grant start dates: June 1 (spring), September 1 (summer), January 1 (fall)

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or the number of applications received versus awards made. In recent cycles:

  • Spring 2024: 15 Health Priority Grants awarded
  • Fall 2023: 12 Health Priority Grants awarded
  • Spring 2021: 17 Health Priority Grants awarded

Reapplication Policy

Organizations whose Letter of Intent or application is denied may reapply in future funding cycles. The process is identical to first-time applications—organizations must submit a new Letter of Intent during the next available cycle. There are no waiting periods or restrictions on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grant awards and Foundation guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Focus on Economically Vulnerable Populations The Foundation consistently prioritizes programs serving South Carolina's economically vulnerable residents. Recent awards explicitly mention this focus, including programs for uninsured patients, rural communities, SNAP recipients, and Title I schools.

2. Alignment with Core Priority Areas Successful projects directly address oral health, mental health, or diabetes. Examples of recent funded projects include:

  • School-based dental programs expanding access to preventive care for children ages 3-5
  • Integrated mental health counseling for youth ages 11-17 at pediatric practices
  • Maternal health remote monitoring in rural counties
  • Quality improvement collaboratives for cancer screening in free clinics

3. Innovative or Evidence-Based Approaches The Foundation values both innovation and proven models. Recent grants support:

  • Novel partnership models (e.g., Healthy Learners partnering with FQHC dental clinics)
  • Technology integration (remote patient monitoring, benefits connection platforms)
  • Workforce development with barrier removal for low-income individuals
  • Quality improvement learning collaboratives

4. Measurable Outcomes with Sustainability Plans Projects should articulate clear, measurable goals. Examples from funded projects:

  • "Decrease preterm births"
  • "Increase screening and vaccination rates for five cancers"
  • "Reduce emergency department visits for dental needs"
  • "Improve graduation rates" for health degree programs

5. Addressing Health Workforce Shortages Significant funding goes toward expanding South Carolina's health workforce, including:

  • Nursing student support and degree completion programs
  • Modern equipment and learning environments for clinical training
  • Financial barrier removal for health credentials
  • Career development for frontline health professionals

6. Systems-Level Impact The Foundation supports projects that create systemic change, not just direct services. Examples include:

  • Developing state performance standards for Children's Advocacy Centers
  • Creating quality improvement collaboratives across free clinic networks
  • Convening stakeholders to address maternal health disparities
  • Building partnerships between multiple organizations

7. Rural and Underserved Geographic Focus Multiple recent grants specifically target rural South Carolina counties with limited healthcare access.

Important Application Notes:

  • The proposed budget must justify the requested amount
  • Indirect costs are not allowable
  • Attachments and unrequested documents will not be reviewed
  • The Foundation does not provide grant writing assistance but staff answer questions
  • Hand delivery of applications is not accepted—online portal only

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start with Letter of Intent: Health Priority Grants require invitation—craft a compelling Letter of Intent that clearly demonstrates alignment with oral health, mental health, or diabetes priorities and serves economically vulnerable South Carolinians

  • Emphasize population focus: Explicitly state how your program serves economically vulnerable populations, particularly uninsured, underinsured, or rural communities

  • Choose the right program: Health Priority Grants support larger, multi-year initiatives; Catalyst Grants ($25,000) support one-year innovative projects; match your project scope to the appropriate program

  • Demonstrate systems-level thinking: The Foundation values sustainable, systemic improvements over short-term direct services—show how your project creates lasting change

  • No indirect costs allowed: Budget carefully as indirect costs are explicitly not allowable; all funding must support direct program activities

  • Multi-year projects welcome: Recent grants range from 1-5 years; don't hesitate to propose longer-term initiatives if sustainability and outcomes justify the timeline

  • Reapplication is encouraged: Unsuccessful applicants can reapply in the next cycle with no restrictions—use feedback to strengthen future submissions

References

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