BCBSRI donated more than $1M to local nonprofits last year

BLUE CROSS & Blue Shield of Rhode Island donated more than $1 million in financial support to local nonprofit organizations last year, according to its 2015 Community Investment Report.
BLUE CROSS & Blue Shield of Rhode Island donated more than $1 million in financial support to local nonprofit organizations last year, according to its 2015 Community Investment Report.

PROVIDENCE – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island donated more than $1 million in financial support to local nonprofit organizations last year, according to its 2015 Community Investment Report.

The five-part report, published last week in conjunction with the 2015 Annual Report, outlines how the health care giant, through its BlueAngel Community Investment program, partnered with nonprofit companies to invest in and improve the lives of those in the local community.

In 2015, BlueAngels reached out to 190 organizations through volunteerism, financial support or in-kind donations.

In total, BCBSRI employees served 7,201 volunteer hours throughout the year, which was valued by the company at $169,439.

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In one single day, the annual company-wide day of service, 680 BCBSRI employee volunteers helped 12 organizations and donated 3,970 hours of service.

Employee fundraising throughout the year raised $153,245 and the company invested $1,016,596 through financial or in-kind donations.

Last year nine organizations received $319,000 in BlueAngel Community Health Grants to fund their child health initiatives, which impacted more than 13,000 Rhode Islanders. One of the organizations recognized is Newport County YMCA where 32 youth received comprehensive fitness and nutrition education.

Mike Miller, Newport County YMCA CEO, said: “The support of BCBSRI has been integral in the Y’s ability to impact our community’s youth through much needed initiatives around healthy living. BCBSRI models these efforts by a shared commitment to facilitate great change for all in our community.”

Even after the national rollout of the Affordable Care Act, according to the BCBSRI Community Investment Report, almost 50,000 Rhode Islanders still lived without health care insurance. To ensure the safety of the state’s citizens BCBSRI funded Rhode Island Free Clinic, Clinica Esperanza and Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation – all free or low-cost health care services.

Dr. Annie De Groot, executive director of Clinica Esperanza, said she had never seen a “more caring or engaged group.”

“Because of BCBSRI’s investment in our CHEER Clinic, we were able to provide healthcare services that saved low-income uninsured families more than $250,000,” she added.

In partnership with the American Diabetes Association, BCBSRI helped hundreds of seniors learn more about the perils of diabetes and old age through its Diabetes Boot Camp for Seniors.

Last year also saw a continuation of BCBSRI’s now five-year partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation’s Initiative for Non-Profit Excellence Board Referral program.

Jill Pfitzenmayer, Rhode Island Foundation’s Vice President of the Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with BCBSRI to both strengthen boards and highlight excellent nonprofit work. This work is invaluable to the sector.”

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