What's the difference between a grant and a sponsorship?
Grants are for outcomes-based programmatic activities. Sponsorships are for one-time events, typically fundraisers.

If an organization does not have a 501 (c) 3 IRS designation, can it still receive a grant?
No. The Company and the Foundation require this documentation of the organization's credibility. By law, they are bound to the types of organizations and agencies it can support.

Our organization currently has an active grant with the Foundation. Are we eligible for another grant? What about a sponsorship?
Organizations who are actively implementing a BCBSLA-funded program may not request a new grant until BCBSLA receives the final report of the previously funded program. Organizations may not exceed one grant award per year.

There is no restriction on the number of sponsorships an organization can receive, and an organization can have both a grant and sponsorship at the same time.

What is the average grant award size?
Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.

What is the average sponsorship award size?
Sponsorships range from $500 to $7,500.

Does the Foundation give multi-year grants?
No.

Are grants renewable?
At times, the Company and/or Foundation will consider a request to continue funding a project. These organizations must still follow the application process. There is no guarantee that funding will be provided for a project that has received support in the past, at the same or any level.

Can I spell check my application?
Portions of the application with spell check enabled have a red check mark to the right of the submission box.

Can I save my application for future submission?
Yes! At the bottom of each page of the application, there is a “Save & Finish Later” button. Be sure to complete the application before our specified deadlines (below).

Can I share an application with a colleague prior to submission?
Yes! At the top right of each page of the application, there is an “E-mail Draft” link.

I’ve attached my attachments but the application says they haven’t been uploaded and when I scroll through the application they no longer appear. What’s wrong?
Be sure to press the “Upload” button after browsing for your file to upload.

I do not have some of the financial statements requested on the application. What do I do?
Contact our offices prior to submission to discuss your particular situation.

When are the deadlines for submission?
Our deadlines for submission and notification dates are as follows:

*BCBSLA reserves the right to change deadlines and notification dates whenever circumstances require.

When will I find out if our application has been approved or rejected?
Please see the chart above. If an application is submitted for our January 15 deadline, organizations can expect a response April 1 at the earliest.

How far in advance do I need to request funding for an event?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and the Foundation do not fund past events, therefore your application should be made by the deadline with a notification date prior to your event date. Therefore if you have an event in September, your application should be made by April 15 to ensure enough lead time for decisions prior to your event.

My application has been approved. How do I obtain a logo or program advertisement?
Please email our offices (CSR@bcbsla.com) as soon as possible so that we can ensure the correct logo and advertisement are sent. We must review any and all communications regarding grant and sponsorship awards before they are disseminated. Please send to us prior to distribution.

What should I do if our organization realizes it cannot use a grant award as we stated in the proposal on which BCBSLA based its decision?
Call our offices immediately to discuss the situation. Please understand that the Company and Foundation make awards in good faith that every organization will use the funds as they are intended and within the specified grant term. To use funds in any other way is not considered good stewardship. However, we understand that there are times when an organization is faced with a program change or other circumstance that will require funds to be used in a different way. If this happens, your organization MUST contact us as soon as possible to discuss a mutually-agreed upon alternative. ***It is not acceptable for an organization to use Corporate or Foundation funds at its discretion and inform us after the fact.

What are the reporting requirements if our organization received a grant?
Every organization or agency that receives a grant must submit interim and final reports as specified in the grant contract. The specific dates when these reports are due are based on the date of the award, but an organization should anticipate submitting reports after six months and one year.

How do I submit interim and final reports?
Interim and final reports will be submitted through the same portal through which you submitted your application. Log in here.

What are the reporting requirements if our organization received a grant?
Every organization or agency that receives a grant must submit interim and final reports as specified in the grant contract. The specific dates when these reports are due are based on the date of the award, but an organization should anticipate submitting reports after six months and one year.

If an organization doesn't submit the required reports, what could happen?
The foundation reserves the right to decline funding, regardless of the request, if an organization does not meet this requirement. Late reports are considered a violation of the grant agreement and could result in a loss of future funding.

How do I contact your offices?

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Corporate Social Responsibility

Community Relations: P.O. Box 98029, Baton Rouge, LA 70898

BCBSLA Foundation: P.O. Box 98022, Baton Rouge, LA 70898

Physical Address: 5525 Reitz Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Phone: 225.298.7979

Email: CSR@bcbsla.com

Web: www.bcbsla.com; www.ourhomelouisiana.org