The New Horizons Grant, provided by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, is designed to support innovative approaches that address existing health and community well-being challenges in Louisiana. This grant aims to encourage fresh, creative solutions that either solve existing problems or improve the effectiveness of current methods. Projects funded through this grant may involve the development of new resources, piloting services that do not yet exist, reworking existing services in novel ways, or conducting new research that has not been previously explored.

The grant provides up to $25,000 in funding for selected projects, with a grant duration of one year. Funding is provided as a single payment, and no matching funds are required. Eligible applicants must be Louisiana-based nonprofit organizations that hold a valid 501(c)(3) designation as defined by IRC 509(a)(1) and (2), or they must be private operating foundations under IRC 4940(d)(2). Organizations must also be registered and in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Applications for the New Horizons Grant begin with an online Letter of Intent (LOI) submission. Deadlines for LOI submissions are March 1 and September 1 each year. The Foundation does not provide funding for individuals, religious programs for sectarian purposes, political contributions, business sponsorships, or activities that promote Blue Cross and Blue Shield brands. Additionally, funding is not available for programs outside of Louisiana unless a clear and specific benefit to Louisiana is demonstrated.

Eligible applicants must ensure they are up-to-date with their required filings with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Programs or projects that involve providers contracted with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana for reimbursable services are not eligible unless they demonstrate a broader community benefit outside of business relationships.

Interested organizations can apply for funding through SmartSimple, the Foundation’s online grant management platform. For more information, applicants can contact the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation directly. The Foundation also encourages nonprofits to sign up for their mailing list to stay informed about future funding opportunities.