HELENA – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) on Friday announced the recipients of the $1 million fund it established to assist Montanans in the statewide response to COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Community Collaboration Fund, administered by BCBSMT, is delivering $400,000 to organizations that provide community-based social services, $300,000 to groups that bolster health care providers and access to care, and $100,000 each to nonprofits that reinforce food security, child care, and senior care.
“Our mission is to provide a boost to organizations who are on the front lines of dealing with this pandemic, whether providing direct care or strengthening services that are needed now more than ever,” said John Doran, BCBSMT Divisional Vice President of External Affairs.
BCBSMT targeted its donations to ensure the $1 million has the potential to reach urban and rural counties as specific needs arise. For that reason, BCBSMT is supporting many larger statewide interests through donations that put money in the hands of experts who can help provide the greatest impact possible.
“We have developed numerous relationships over the years with organizations throughout Montana,” Doran said. “These partners are the experts in making sure our providers have the equipment they need, that our children and seniors know where their next meal is coming from, that we provide hope to those suffering from mental illness or depression, that we help families cope with daycare needs, and that we help put people back to work when this is all over.”
Montana organizations receiving grants from the COVID-19 Community Collaboration Fund are:
Community-Based Social Services: $400,000
- Montana Community Foundation: $100,000
- Montana Urban Indian Health Centers of Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula: $75,000 ($15,000 each)
- YMCAs of Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, Helena and Missoula: $60,000 ($10,000 each)
- NAMI Montana: $45,000
- YWCAs of Billings, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula: $40,000 ($10,000 each)
- Career Training Institute: $30,000
- Red Cross of Montana: $20,000
- Friendship Center Helena: $10,000
- Career Transitions Bozeman: $10,000
- Career Futures Butte: $10,000
Provider Support and Access to Care: $300,000
- Montana Medical Association: $200,000
- Provider telemedicine technology support: $100,000
Food Security: $100,000
- Montana Food Bank Network: $75,000
- No Kid Hungry: $25,000
Child Care: $100,000
- AWARE Child Care Partnership: $40,000
- ChildCare Connections: $35,000
- Florence Crittenton Home: $10,000
- Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: $10,000
- St. Francis Xavier: $5,000
Senior Care: $100,000
- Montana Area Agencies on Aging: $100,000 ($10,000 to each of 10 Area Agencies)
BCBSMT has a long history of partnering with local organizations to address the most pressing issues that impact Montana communities. BCBSMT, the state’s largest and longest-standing customer-owned health insurer annually commits nearly $1 million in financial support to address a broad range of social determinants of health that impact community health and well-being and the cost of health care.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSMT is the largest and longest-standing statewide, customer-owned health insurer and full-service health benefits administrator in Montana. BCBSMT has provided high-quality health insurance plans and administrative services to Montanans for 80 years. BCBSMT’s purpose is to stand with its members in sickness and in health.