PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Independence Blue Cross Foundation announced that it has awarded 68 grants totaling $3.3 million in southeastern Pennsylvania. This is in addition to 11 grants awarded in June totaling $484,500. Since its founding in October 2011, the IBC Foundation has awarded almost 280 grants totaling nearly $12 million in philanthropic support.
"In just two years, the IBC Foundation has helped transform health care in our region through our collaborations with and support for many of our area's most innovative organizations," said Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the IBC Foundation. "They tackle some of the greatest health care challenges today, such as caring for the uninsured, building a strong health care workforce for the future, providing support to veterans groups, student athletes, and programs targeting those with mental health issues."
The latest grants target three key areas: caring for the most vulnerable, enhancing health care delivery, and building healthy communities.
Caring for the Most Vulnerable
The IBC Foundation awarded $2 million dollars to 34 health centers, including a first-time grant to Philadelphia FIGHT, which provides comprehensive HIV care to patients at the Jonathan Lax Treatment Center. This grant is to start the FIGHT Dental Project that will provide access for these patients to receive basic dental services. Through the Blue Safety Net program, the IBC Foundation invests in private, nonprofit community health centers that provide access to quality, affordable healthcare in medically underserved areas.
Enhancing Health Care Delivery
The IBC Foundation also awarded $1 million dollars through its Nurses for Tomorrow initiative to 34 undergraduate and graduate nursing programs in southeastern Pennsylvania as part of its commitment to help increase the number of licensed clinical and advanced specialty practice nurses. The grants support undergraduate and graduate nursing students pursuing degrees in nursing education, primary care and geriatric care.
Building Health Communities
Through the Building Healthy Communities program, the IBC Foundation provided $311,100 in funding to 12 organizations that improve the health and wellness of the people of southeastern Pennsylvania, including new grants to:
- Child and Family Connections , to support families with chronic mental illness.
- Citizens Acting Together Can Help, Inc , for the Patriot House for homeless veterans.
- Cranaleith Spiritual Center , for a healing program primarily aimed at women veterans.
- New Directions Support Group, Inc, to promote mental health programs in Montgomery County.
- Philly Girls in Motion , to support fitness and single sport programs for girls ages 8 – 14.
- Simons Fund , to support heart health screenings for student athletes to detect hidden heart conditions.
- The Veterans Group , to support programs that help veterans transition back to the community.
- Won Institute , to support an acupuncture clinic for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
About the Independence Blue Cross Foundation
The Independence Blue Cross Foundation is a charitable, private foundation, whose mission is leading solutions for a healthier community. The foundation targets the following areas of impact:
- Caring for our most vulnerable: Supporting private, nonprofit community health center clinics that provide access to quality, affordable healthcare in medically underserved areas.
- Enhancing health care delivery: Strengthening the nursing workforce through education, career development, and research.
- Building healthy communities: Partnering with community leaders and programs to address community health and wellness needs.
Learn more by visiting our website: www.ibxfoundation.org . Connect with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation on Twitter at @ibxfdn .
Media Contact: Ruth Stoolman Independence Blue Cross 215-241-4807 (office) 215-280-3335 (cell)
