Since 2011, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) has awarded nearly 130 grants to nonprofit agencies through its Building Heathier Communities program. These agencies are committed to providing direct service and support to address the health and wellness needs of specific populations including homeless, youth, minority groups, veterans, women, and incarcerated individuals.
We are proud to award grants to many worthy agencies, but Foundation President Lorina Marshall-Blake has been known to say, “We [the Foundation] are more than just a check.”
Here’s how the Foundation is going beyond its grant making to provide the right and best tools to nonprofits:
Introducing Coalition U
The Foundation is creating opportunities for nonprofits to participate in capacity-building activities that strengthen core functions and improve organizational sustainability, all of which is valued by both funders and the nonprofits that receive funding.
Over the next two years in collaboration with the Urban Affairs Coalition, the Foundation is offering its grantees Coalition U: a series of eight seminars and workshops focused on improving overall organizational growth and development to maximize effectiveness and impact in the communities they serve.
First in the Foundation-funded series was the topic of Building a Strong Board and Increasing Engagement, which was held in late June. Previous Coalition U topics include Finding and Engaging New Donors, Crowdfunding, Social Media Best Practices, and Recruiting Interns and Volunteers for your Organizations.
Looking forward to future sessions
The response of Foundation-supported nonprofits to Coalition U has been tremendous, including shared sentiments of thanks and appreciation. We look forward to reconvening the series in the fall!
Lean more about Coalition U and ongoing sessions.
