Special Initiatives

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) Foundation’s Special Initiatives grant program provides organizations with a one-time grant of up to $50,000 to pilot or launch a new project over a one-year period. Special Initiative grants are intended to fund projects which empower communities to advance health equity at the community level. Projects should positively impact the health or health care related needs of those Massachusetts residents who have been economically, socially, culturally, or racially marginalized. If successful, it is hoped that these projects can be sustained, scaled, and potentially, replicated.

Special Initiative grant proposals must align with one or more of the Foundation’s three focus areas: access to health coverage and care, access to behavioral health services, and elimination of structural racism and racial inequities in health. Projects must serve the Foundation’s populations of focus: Massachusetts residents who are economically, racially, culturally, or socially marginalized.  

We encourage applicants to read the Foundation’s principles to learn more about our approach and priorities and the Special Initiatives grant program Frequently Asked Questions for more information.  Click here to apply.

For a listing of current grant recipients, click "Recent Awards" to the left.