Omaha, Neb. – The Nebraska Blue Foundation will give $300,000 in grant funds to 20 Nebraska nonprofits to support preventive health initiatives and enhance the well-being of seniors across the state.
The foundation, which serves as the philanthropic arm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), opened applications for its inaugural grant cycle at the beginning of the year. Nonprofits across the state were asked to submit letters of intent highlighting how their work supports preventive health care and/or Nebraska’s aging population.
“Having the privilege to read through the applications and gain a better understanding of the work organizations across the state are doing to support our community members has been truly humbling,” Jay Warren-Teamer, executive director of the Nebraska Blue Foundation and community and strategic engagement leader at BCBSNE, said. “I’m confident the organizations we chose will have a profound impact on the communities they serve across the state.”
Grant funds will support initiatives to strengthen health care coordination, expand access to preventive health care and rural outreach services, provide enrichment to support seniors’ well-being and more.
Recipients supporting preventive health include: HOPE – Esparanza; International Council for Refugees and Immigrants; Cozad Hospital Foundation; Creighton University School of Dentistry; Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department Foundation; Intercultural Senior Center; MilkWorks; Methodist Hospital Foundation; and OneWorld Community Health Centers.
“In 2024, MilkWorks served around 25% of all birthing families in the state,” Tiffany Uher, executive director at MilkWorks, said. “More than 1,000 of those families lived outside the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas. This grant allows us to build on the strengths of our organization and expand the outcomes of our community breastfeeding centers into rural communities – bridging care gaps and improving access for underserved families.”
Grant recipients supporting Nebraska’s seniors include: The Dreamweaver Foundation; Live Well. Go Fish.; Lincoln Hygiene Network; Asian Community & Cultural Center; Catholic Charities of Omaha; CHI Health Good Samaritan Foundation; Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership; Webster County Community Hospital Foundation; Rebuilding Together Platte Valley East; Saline County Aging Services; and Whispering Roots.
“The Nebraska Blue Foundation grant will honor our veterans and their families that served with them, giving them a sense of the freedoms they gave us all with their service to our country through Red, White and BLUE honor float days,” David Ruder, founder and chief executive officer at Live Well. Go Fish., said. “Everyone remembers the first fish they ever caught. With [the Nebraska Blue Foundation’s] help, we can make sure nobody forgets their last.”
This round of funding is the first of two grant cycles the Nebraska Blue Foundation will complete in 2025. Letters of intent for the second round of funding will open in July and will ask Nebraska organizations to submit their plans to promote economic vitality across the state and improve third places, which are social settings separate from home and work that help build communities.
Learn more about the Nebraska Blue Foundation at NebraskaBlue.com/Foundation.
