Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois launch $1.5 million grant program to support communities organizations during pandemic

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has launched a new program to support community-based organizations with missions focused on access to healthcare, hunger and shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1.5 million program will provide $20,000 grants to organizations across the state. Applications are now being accepted through April 24, with winners to be notified the week of May 4.

“This crisis is bigger than just a public health emergency, and it is reaching into the homes and lives of countless people in Illinois, even those fortunate enough to remain healthy,” said Steve Hamman, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

The insurer also announced Wednesday it will make a $1 million donation to Gov. JB Pritzker’s Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund and $500,000 to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.

The news comes a week after Blue Cross announced it purchased 150,000 KN95 respirator masks for the state of Illinois to aid its response to the new coronavirus pandemic.

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