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Highmark West Virginia announces $18 million investment to improve community health

June 8, 2021 | PITTSBURGH, Pa.

New charitable fund for health will support initiatives and programs aimed at addressing priority health needs throughout West Virginia

Today, with Governor Jim Justice, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia announced an $18 million investment to launch the Highmark West Virginia (WV) Charitable Fund for Health. The newly formed Fund is an extension of the health plan’s Foundation, supporting its mission to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in West Virginia.

"This is such an exciting announcement because the creation of this fund has the opportunity to genuinely improve the lives of so many West Virginians," Gov. Justice said. "I couldn't be more thankful to Highmark West Virginia. Their longtime dedication to the people of our state is off-the-charts, and to see them make an investment of this magnitude proves how much they truly care. But the best part about this fund is that it's going to enable us to continue improving the health and wellness of West Virginians for years and years to come."

The Highmark WV Charitable Fund will award major grants to organizations and initiatives throughout the region that target and improve health outcomes in priority health areas, including community health; family health; access to care; service delivery systems; chronic disease and oral health.

"The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health builds on our health plan's long-standing commitment to the community and amplifies our impact by awarding major health grants in all 55 counties of West Virginia," said Jim Fawcett, president, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia. "We are extremely proud to support organizations who work collaboratively to address barriers to health, ultimately enhancing the overall health of our region."

To support its overall strategy to address the social determinants of health, the Highmark WV Charitable Fund is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFPs) to organizations focused on health and social services or oral and dental health. The deadline for organizations to apply for funding is June 30, 2021, with funding decisions announced in Summer 2021.

"West Virginians across the state will greatly benefit from this newly created Highmark WV Charitable Fund for Health," said Delegate Brent Boggs. "As a member of Highmark WV's Board of Directors and chair of the Charitable Fund, I'm extremely proud and excited to be part of this announcement and look forward to grant announcement in the coming months."

Grant funding is made in support of projects that are consistent with Highmark's mission, strategies and focus as a community-based health plan, demonstrate new and sustainable ways to solve health problems and illustrate the effectiveness of early intervention and preventive health. Organizations should visit https://highmarkwvfund.versaic.com for more information and to submit a request for consideration.

The Highmark Foundation has invested several million to support health-focused programs in western Pennsylvania, central Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley and West Virginia in the last decade. It will continue to provide meaningful grants in West Virginia to complement the Highmark WV Charitable Health Fund for Health, specifically focusing on school, large public health, and family grants.

"The Highmark Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities we serve," said Yvonne Cook, president, Highmark Foundation. "Central to our mission is identifying and continuously re-evaluating our region's prevailing health care needs. That's why we're pleased to launch the West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health so we can continue supporting the well-being of our community."

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.

About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia serves approximately 325,000 members through the company's health care benefits business and hundreds of thousands of additional members through the BlueCard® program. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia holds the largest share of the commercial market, and more West Virginians carry a Blue Cross Blue Shield card than any other insurance carrier in the state. With offices in Parkersburg, Charleston and Wheeling, Highmark West Virginia employs more than 700 people and serves as a key economic driver in the state with its total economic impact reaching $262 million. Highmark West Virginia is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

About Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund

The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health, is a controlled fund of the Highmark Foundation. The Charitable Fund for Health‘s mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in all 55 counties in West Virginia. The Highmark WV Charitable Fund for Health strives to support programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org.

Contact:

Cathy McAlister
Highmark WV Charitable Fund for Health
304-347-7754
cathy.mcalister@highmarkhealth.org