MiBlue Daily
July 20, 2026
Teddy Lemmer
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation (BCBSM Foundation) and Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, is now accepting applications for the Nourishing Communities: Nutrition Access, Education, and Impact grant. According to Feeding America, 1.5 million Michigan residents, including 400,000 children, struggle to get enough to eat, underscoring the urgent need for solutions that expand access to nutritious food. Together, the organizations committed $375,000 to help more Michigan communities improve residents’ access to nutritious food, educational tools, and resources that support healthier eating.
“Poor nutrition is linked to chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, that represent a significant portion of healthcare costs,” said Tiffany Albert, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Senior Vice President of Community Relations and Chief Inclusion Officer. “By supporting initiatives that improve access to nutritious food and resources to make the healthy choice the easy choice, we aim to protect the affordability of healthcare and help Michigan families live healthier lives.”
The grant invites applications from nonprofit organizations that strive to serve communities across Michigan by improving access to nutrient-rich food and strengthening nutrition knowledge. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to support sustainable initiatives that advance these efforts. Examples of strong proposals include, but are not limited to:
- Establishing or improving infrastructure for food distribution programs
- Strengthening local food systems, supply chains, and distribution networks
- Establishing, expanding, or enhancing community gardens or hoop houses
- Expanding or enhancing programs that increase access to healthy food
- Enhancing initiatives with nutrition education through evidence-based tools or curricula
- Expanding or enhancing food rescue and gleaning efforts
Michigan-based 501(c)(3) organizations, as well as community-based nonprofit organizations partnered with a 501(c)(3), are eligible to apply. Completed applications are due Friday, August 14, 2026, and may be accessed through the Blue Cross grant management system. Questions about the application process can be directed to socialmission@bcbsm.com.