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Florida Blue Foundation

Annual Giving
$17.9M
Grant Range
$270K - $0.4M
Decision Time
4mo

Florida Blue Foundation

Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17.9 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $540 million (FY2021)
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months
  • Grant Range: $270,000 - $400,000 (multi-year grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Statewide - all 67 Florida counties
  • Success Rate: Highly competitive (497 grants awarded in 2024)

Contact Details

Overview

The Florida Blue Foundation, the trade name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation Inc. (EIN: 59-3707820), was established in 2001 as the philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue healthcare insurance. As the only health philanthropy serving all 67 Florida counties, the Foundation is one of the largest health-focused foundations in the state. With total assets of $540 million and annual giving of $17.9 million (2024), the Foundation is committed to improving health by impacting food security, advancing mental well-being, growing healthy communities, and addressing health disparities. Over its 25-year history, the Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in community support through its prestigious Sapphire Awards program and has enabled more than 10 million Floridians annually to access essential health and well-being services. In 2024 alone, the Foundation provided 497 grants totaling $17.9 million to local communities across Florida.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates three primary grant programs with multi-year funding (3-4 years):

Mental Well-Being Grants

  • Grant Range: $270,000 - $400,000 total ($90,000 - $100,000 per year)
  • Available Funding: Approximately $2.9 million annually
  • Focus: Programs supporting children, teens, adults, and seniors struggling with life stressors, social isolation, and loneliness; programs increasing the pipeline of mental health professionals
  • Application Method: Online portal, fixed annual deadline
  • Total Investment: $18.9 million invested over five years

Food Security Grants

  • Grant Range: $270,000 - $400,000 total (over 3-4 years)
  • Available Funding: Approximately $3 million annually
  • Focus: Improving access to affordable, healthy, and nutritional foods in low-income neighborhoods; Food is Medicine programs to improve chronic health conditions; increasing access in rural communities
  • Application Method: Online portal, fixed annual deadline
  • Total Investment: More than $14.5 million over four years

Maternal Health Grants

  • Grant Range: Not specified, but $3.1 million awarded to eight organizations in 2025
  • Focus: Improving maternal health outcomes with chronic conditions; perinatal and postpartum maternal mental health support; programs may include nurse navigators, mobile clinics, telehealth services, community-based doulas
  • Application Method: Online portal, fixed annual deadline
  • Status: Second round of funding (newer program area)

Priority Areas

  • Food security and "Food is Medicine" interventions
  • Mental well-being services and mental health workforce development
  • Maternal health outcomes and perinatal/postpartum support
  • Healthy communities initiatives
  • Health literacy
  • Addressing health disparities
  • Programs serving uninsured and underserved Floridians

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions were not detailed in available materials, the Foundation focuses exclusively on health-related initiatives and requires:

  • IRS 501(c)(3) status
  • Florida-based operations
  • Documented expertise and experience in the relevant program area
  • Proven record of improving community health through measurable outcomes

Governance and Leadership

Susan B. Towler serves as Vice President of the Florida Blue Foundation and Executive Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Florida Blue, overseeing philanthropic activities. Celebrating her 28th year at Florida Blue Foundation in 2024, Towler brings extensive experience and community connections. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida and attended the Executive Education Program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Towler has held numerous leadership positions, including serving as 2021-23 Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation, 2016 Chair of the Florida Philanthropic Network, 2012-13 Chair of Leadership Florida, and 2013-14 Chair of Volunteer Florida (the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Florida Blue Foundation's online grant portal at floridablue.com/foundation/community-investments. Organizations can log into the portal to view current funding opportunities, check application status, submit reports, and provide required documentation.

Application Requirements:

  • IRS 501(c)(3) status
  • Documented expertise and experience in the relevant program area (mental well-being, food security, or maternal health)
  • Proven record of improving community health through measurable outcomes
  • Programs must serve Florida residents across one or more of the state's 67 counties

Pre-Application Resources:

  • Informational webinars are offered for each grant program and provide valuable guidance on what the Foundation seeks
  • Organizations should review webinar materials before applying

Decision Timeline

The Foundation operates on annual cycles for each grant program with specific deadlines:

Mental Well-Being Grants:

  • Application Deadline: Early May (3:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
  • Notification: August-September (approximately 3-4 months)
  • Required Orientation: September-October

Food Security Grants:

  • Application Deadline: Mid-May (3:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
  • Notification: September (approximately 4 months)

Maternal Health Grants:

  • Application Deadline: September (3:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
  • Notification: December-January (approximately 3-4 months)

Applicants can expect to wait 3-4 months from the application deadline to receive notification of their status.

Success Rates

The Foundation is highly competitive:

  • 497 grants totaling $17.9 million awarded in 2024
  • Funding is described as "very competitive" with many programs offering funding for up to four years, leaving limited room for new grantees
  • Multi-year grant structure (3-4 years) means fewer new opportunities become available annually since existing grantees continue receiving funding
  • No specific acceptance rate percentages publicly available

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publicly publish a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations interested in reapplication should contact the Foundation directly through the grant portal or via email at floridabluefoundation@floridablue.com.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and recent grant awards, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Documented Expertise and Experience The Foundation explicitly requires organizations to have "documented expertise and experience" in delivering services in their chosen program area. This is repeatedly emphasized across all grant programs. Applications must demonstrate a proven track record, not just intention or capability.

2. Measurable Community Impact Organizations need a "proven record of improving the health of their community through measurable outcomes in programs involved with health-related services." The Foundation values data-driven approaches and clear metrics showing how programs improve health outcomes for Florida residents.

3. Focus on Underserved Populations Priority is given to programs serving uninsured, underserved, or marginalized communities. Food security programs should "support equitable access to healthy food and program services and should focus on moving underserved or marginalized communities from food insecurity to food security."

4. Innovation and Evidence-Based Approaches The Foundation's Sapphire Awards recognize "excellence and innovation in community health leadership," with winners selected for "leadership, innovative ideas, demonstrated outcomes, and excellence." Successful applications incorporate innovative solutions or evidence-based interventions.

5. Multi-Year Sustainability Since grants are awarded for 3-4 years, applications should demonstrate long-term sustainability and the ability to manage and scale programs over multiple years.

Recent Funded Examples to Guide Approach:

Mental Well-Being (2024 - $2.4 million to seven organizations):

  • Special Hearts Farm: Improving mental health and quality of life for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities
  • Easterseals Northeast Central Florida: Expanding #MIP (Me, In Progress) wellness program for teens from low-income families with behavioral disorders
  • Children's Bereavement Center: Training 1,000+ mental health professionals on supporting grieving children and families

Food Security:

  • AdventHealth Foundation: AI-powered technology identifying high-risk seniors with heart failure, providing heart-healthy meals and dietician-led education
  • Grace Medical Home: Partnership with UCF College of Medicine delivering health screenings, nutrition education, and personalized dietary guidance

Maternal Health (2025 - $3.1 million to eight organizations):

  • Programs featuring nurse navigators, mobile clinics, telehealth services, community-based doulas, and evidence-based group treatment programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Statewide reach is unique: As the only health philanthropy serving all 67 Florida counties, the Foundation values programs that can demonstrate impact across multiple counties or in underserved rural areas
  • Multi-year commitment required: All grants are 3-4 years, so demonstrate organizational capacity for sustained program delivery and long-term planning
  • Competition is intense: With multi-year grants limiting new opportunities, applications must be exceptionally strong with clear documented expertise and proven outcomes
  • Attend the webinars: Foundation-hosted informational webinars provide critical guidance on what reviewers seek; these are essential for understanding current priorities
  • Measurable outcomes are mandatory: Vague impact statements will not succeed; provide specific data on health improvements and community reach
  • Innovation matters: The Sapphire Awards emphasize innovation, suggesting the Foundation values creative approaches that advance the field beyond traditional service delivery
  • Build relationships early: Given the competitive nature and multi-year grants, organizations should engage with the Foundation before applying, attend the annual Community Health Symposium, and participate in Foundation events

References

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