Blue Shield of California Foundation

 

Grant Applicant FAQs

Have a question about our grant application process? A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is provided below. Click on a question in the list below to review the answer. If you do not find the answer to your particular question, please contact our Grants Administrator, Adam Sanders at .

 

FAQ Summary

 

Q. How do organizations submit a proposal for a grant?

A. Learn more about our grant application process by clicking here. Back to top

 

Q. Which types of nonprofit organizations are eligible for a grant?

A. A complete list of our eligibility requirements can be found within our grant eligibility guidelines. To learn if your organization is eligible for a Blue Shield of California Foundation grant, take our short applicant questionnaire. Back to top

 

Q. Do you make grants to for-profit organizations?

A. The Foundation awards a limited number of grants to for-profit organizations for projects that are charitable in nature. Preference is given to charitable organizations (501(c)(3)) and public agencies. Back to top

 

Q. Does the Foundation accept unsolicited requests?

A. Yes. The Foundation accepts a balance of both unsolicited and solicited requests. Back to top

 

Q. Can I apply for a Foundation grant for sponsorship or fundraiser for an event?

A. No. Per our grant eligibility guidelines we do not fund sponsorships or events. Back to top

 

Q. If we have one BSCF grant, can we apply for a different BSCF grant?

A. You may apply for multiple grants if the proposals are for two distinct projects. The Blue Shield of California Foundation typically awards only one grant per year to an organization. Since the equitable distribution of funds is a criteria used by the foundation in making funding decisions, the grantee must weigh the effort of submitting multiple proposals with the decreased likelihood of funding. Back to top

 

Q. What is the Foundation’s total contribution per year?

A. In 2005, the Foundation contributed nearly $30 million to non–profit organizations and educational institutions throughout California. Back to top

 

Q. Where does the Foundation’s money come from?

A. 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. Back to top

 

Q. What is the average size and duration of your grants?

A. Amounts awarded and time periods vary widely and depend on the scope and significance of the project. Over the last five years, we have made awards ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000 with time periods from six months to three years. Most grants run from one to two years and the average award amount is around $55,000. (click here to search our grants database) Back to top

 

Q. How many grants do you award each year?

A. Approximately 350 awards are made each year. Back to top

 

Q. What are the most common reasons why a proposal is declined?

A. There are several reasons why the Foundation may decide to decline a proposal; however, some of the most commonly declined proposals are those that:

  • Do not fall within the guidelines of the Program Areas that we fund
  • Do not follow our general eligibility guidelines
  • Do not meet our standards of operational or programmatic effectiveness.
  • Do not fall within our geographic boundaries.

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Q. Do you have formal application forms?

A. After successful completion of our applicant questionnaire, we require that all applicants submit an online Letter of Inquiry using our standard format. Information regarding our online application process can be found by clicking here. Back to top

 

Q. Can you share a copy of a successful proposal?

A. We do not share proposals as they are considered confidential documents. Back to top

 

Q. What are your deadlines for receipt of proposals?

A. We accept Letters of Inquiry (LOI) throughout the year via our online application system. Organizations whose LOI’s align most closely with funding objectives and the Foundation’s mission will be invited to submit a full proposal. We will then send you a request for proposal, which will specify the proposal content and the proposal due date. Please do not submit a full proposal without an invitation to apply. View the 2007 Review Cycle Guidelines. Back to top

 

Q. How long does it take for a grant to be approved?

A. The entire grantmaking process (from letter of inquiry submission, to request for a full proposal, to notification of funding decisions) can take up to six months, so please plan ahead. The Foundation's Board of Trustees meets four times per year to make funding decisions. View the 2007 Review Cycle Guidelines. Back to top

 

Q. What are the responsibilities of Blue Shield of California Foundation grantees?

A. BSCF grantees are required to submit reports to the Foundation. Normally, Interim Reports are required every six months and a Final Report is due one month after the close of the grant. Final Reports are to be a substantive record of the activities conducted and the products produced in all the years of a grant and how they met the goals set forth in the original proposal. During the course of a grant, the reports submitted are treated as confidential documents. Back to top