Highmark Foundation announces a "restructured" School Grants and Awards Program for the 2020-2021 school year amid Covid-19 concerns
Sept 21, 2020 | PITTSBURGH, Pa.
PITTSBURGH (Sept. 21, 2020) — The Highmark Foundation announced today it will provide one-time $3,000 grants to each of the 115 schools that applied to its School Grants and Awards program for the 2020-2021 school year.
The one-time COVID-19/health related grants replace the Foundation’s traditional grant program awarded annually to schools who wish to address bullying prevention, environmental health, physical activity, nutrition education and school based health initiatives.
"Understanding that our schools are now focusing on keeping our children safe, the Highmark Foundation, in a show of good faith during this unprecedented year, decided to award all 115 applicants this one-time grant to address health and COVID-19 related programs" said Yvonne Cook, president of the Highmark Foundation. "The health and wellbeing of our children continues to be a primary focus of the Highmark Foundation."
In January, the Highmark Foundation announced the school grant program for the 2020-2021 school year and was accepting traditional grant program applications. Facing a global pandemic, the decision was made to modify the grant program and provide much needed funding to schools trying to adjust to a new and different school year.
Since 2013, the Foundation has contributed over $2.65 million in grants to support healthy school environments and remains committed especially during these unsettling times.
About the Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private, charitable organization dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and quality of life for individuals and communities throughout the areas served by Highmark Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. We fulfill our mission by awarding high-impact grants to charitable organizations that implement evidence-based programs aimed at improving community health. Central to the Foundation’s mission is identifying and continuously re-evaluation our region’s prevailing health care needs. By doing so, the Foundation remains at the forefront of those needs, well equipped to pinpoint issues that most urgently need support. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org.
Contact:
Cathy McAlisterHighmark Health
304-347-7754
cathy.mcalister@highmarkhealth.org