Our History
Blue Shield of California is California's largest state-only health plan. Formerly known as the California Physicians' Service Foundation, it was established by physicians as a not-for-profit health plan. Blue Shield of California endows Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) through annual contributions. In 2002, Blue Shield of California reinvigorated the Foundation and initiated work focused on healthcare quality and access, medical technology assessment, and domestic violence prevention.
Blue Shield of California Foundation funding has increased dramatically in recent years. In 2003, the Foundation made grants totaling nearly $8 million. In 2008, $36.9 million in grants was awarded to 455 California organizations.
Blue Shield of California Foundation devotes resources to immediate needs and long-term healthcare solutions. Vital support to hundreds of community clinics and domestic violence shelters offers urgent care for Californians. In 2007, the Foundation launched Clinic Leadership Institute (CLI), a signature project designed to prepare emerging leaders of California's community clinics and health centers to be effective agents of change in today's evolving healthcare environment.
Our Corporate Parent
Blue Shield of California Foundation is funded entirely by contributions from Blue Shield of California, a mission-based, not-for-profit health plan founded by physicians in 1939. We are a private foundation that shares the corporation's core mission of providing everyone access to quality health care. The Board of Trustees and staff of Blue Shield of California Foundation operate independently of the parent corporation.
Blue Shield of California maintains its own community affairs, matching gifts and volunteerism programs.
