The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Pacific Blue Cross, a not-for-profit health benefits society based in Burnaby, British Columbia. Building on Pacific Blue Cross’ mission to improve health and wellbeing for British Columbians, the Foundation focuses on financially supporting community organizations that are working to enhance health outcomes across the province.
Role of the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Since its creation in 2011, the Foundation has provided more than $4.5 million in funding to over 300 different organizations in communities large and small throughout British Columbia. These grants help non-profits and community groups deliver programs that make the health care system more accessible, inclusive and equitable, particularly for underserved populations.
Funding options and typical recipients
The Foundation offers three main types of funding options that are open to applications: Kick-Start Projects, Partner Programs and Major Investments. Through these streams, eligible non-profit organizations can seek support for new initiatives, ongoing collaborative programs, or larger, longer-term projects that have the potential to significantly improve health and wellbeing in their communities.
In addition to formal Foundation grants, Pacific Blue Cross supports the community through corporate sponsorships and donations to charitable initiatives. Past support has included campaigns and organizations such as United Way’s Period Promise, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the YWCA and the BC Women’s Health Foundation, as well as partnerships that advance women’s health research and midlife health programs.
Publics served and impact
The Foundation’s funding is targeted to communities across all regions of British Columbia, with a focus on projects that remove barriers to care, promote prevention and wellness, and address health inequities. By combining formal grant programs with broader corporate giving, Pacific Blue Cross and its Health Foundation play a significant role in strengthening the province’s health-related non-profit sector.
