Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation

Proudly supporting not-for-profit organizations in communities big and small—across all four corners of the province—that are striving to improve health and wellbeing for British Columbians.

Community Grants and Partnerships

Pacific Blue Cross allocates an annual endowment to our Health Foundation to support programs that are making a difference in communities where we live, work, and play. The Health Foundation Board, comprised of Directors from the Pacific Blue Cross Board and Pacific Blue Cross employees, meets three times a year to review funding applications.

Align with our mission

We fund projects that improve health outcomes directly related to mental health and wellbeing as well as the prevention and/or management of chronic disease.

Province-wide support

As BC’s Health Benefits Society, we welcome requests for funding from community organizations across the province.

Amplify your work

We can help spread the word about your project or organization through our website, to our members, and via our social media channels.

Available Funding Types

The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation provides three different types of project funding: Kick-Start Projects, Partner Program, and Major Investment. Please review each funding type to determine the most appropriate option for your program or project—and if your project has a specific start date, ensure you submit your proposal or application early.

In assessing funding applications, our Board members look for alignment with the Foundation’s mission and demonstrable impacts of the program or project. They’re also keen to receive submissions from areas of the province that are outside the Lower Mainland or Southern Vancouver Island.

The following are not eligible for funding: religious or sectarian organizations, political organizations, competitive sports teams, and contract fundraisers or lobbyists.

Kick-Start Projects

This fund is intended for one-time projects, start-up programs, equipment or materials that help to improve mental health and wellbeing or prevent and/or manage chronic disease. Grants can be up to $10,000.

The Foundation Board looks for opportunities in which grassroots support can have a meaningful impact.

Funding application deadlines:

  • February 7, 2024
  • November 14, 2024

How to apply:

  1. Review our Funding Criteria to ensure your project meets our requirements.
  2. Download and complete our Funding Application form 
  3. Please submit your application by email to healthfoundation@pac.bluecross.ca. You will be notified of the decision within a few weeks after the application deadline.

Partner Program

The Health Foundation chooses partnerships and provides funding to a maximum of $45,000 spread over three years.

A “partnership” is a project or program that can actively include Pacific Blue Cross. We look to our Partner Program projects for opportunities that may involve our staff, or that we can participate corporately, to add additional support through volunteer hours, assist with special events, etc.

Funding application deadlines:

  • April 15, 2024

How to apply:

  1. Review our Funding Criteria to ensure your project meets our requirements.
  2. Send your funding proposal to HealthFoundation@pac.bluecross.ca with details about your project, including timeline, anticipated outcomes, amount of funding requested, and how Pacific Blue Cross can participate. You’ll be notified of the decision within a few weeks after the application deadline.

Major Investment

Occasionally, the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation Board considers larger multi-year initiatives, most often including capital campaigns. Funding is up to $100,000 and includes a multi-year agreement.

Funding application deadline: 

  • April 15, 2024

How to apply:

  1. Review our Funding Criteria to ensure your project meets our requirements.
  2. Send your funding proposal to HealthFoundation@pac.bluecross.ca with details about your project, including timeline, anticipated outcomes, and amount of funding requested.

Health Foundation News

Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation supports Helicopters Without Borders fly-in dental clinic

Thursday, Mar 21, 2024

With the $10,000 donation, Helicopters Without Borders launched Canada’s first fully capable fly-in dental clinic, a program that is transforming access to essential dental services for remote communities across the province.

Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation supports UpstartED's pursuit for educational equity

Tuesday, Aug 8, 2023

The $45,000 donation supports UpstartED’s You(th) Explore Program, which offers educators with locally and culturally relevant learning resources to support the potential and self-determination of marginalized youth in British Columbia (BC).

Hope Air provides access to care for British Columbians in remote communities

Monday, Aug 22, 2022

The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation has partnered with Hope Air since 2020.

Celebrating our support of Ronald McDonald House

Wednesday, Aug 3, 2022

Ronald McDonald House offers accommodation for sick kids and their families who must travel long distances for life-saving treatment

Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation commits $150,000 to Kordyban Lodge

Wednesday, Jun 29, 2022

This contribution will help British Columbians access life-saving cancer treatment in Prince George when they are far from their hometowns.” – Andrea Seale

Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation: 2021 Annual Report

Monday, Apr 4, 2022

Take a look at the tremendous work being done by the non-profit organizations that received support from the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation in 2021.

More Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What’s the difference between a Major Investment and the Partner Program?

    There are two key differences between a Major Investment and the Partner Program: the amount of funding and the time frame for that funding. Major investments tend to be donations to capital campaigns and longer in duration.

    In addition, Partner Programs look for opportunities to include Pacific Blue Cross, i.e. staff volunteering.

  2. Can we apply for funding at any time of the year?

    Yes. However, the Foundation Board will only review Kick Start applications twice per year and Partner Program applications once per year so please ensure you’re aware of the application dates.

  3. Can we apply for funding under more than one category or submit more than one application at a time?

    Yes. We do not penalize you for submitting funding requests in multiple categories, but the Foundation Board will not approve funding for more than one application for the same organization.

  4. What program or project expenses are eligible for funding?

    Eligible program or project expenses include operating costs directly associated with the proposal, which must be itemized in the proposal.

    Capital investment requests may be considered for new equipment, infrastructure buildings, networks or renovations that directly support the wellbeing of the recipients of community organization.

    Partnership requests have a few other requirements:

    • The program or project must have defined and measured outcome.
    • To be eligible applicants will need to submit a project budget, indicate a strong likelihood of successfully launching the proposed project (indicating other funders), submit a measurement plan for projects supporting clear objectives and expected outcomes, and agree to adhere to the terms and conditions of the Foundation.
  5. Are there any program or project expenses that are ineligible for funding?

    Programs or projects that do not have a BC footprint and do not focus on chronic disease or mental health will not be considered for funding. The Foundation does not fund core business operations, including current operating costs such as office rents, salaries, and wages.

    Ineligible program or project expenses include:

    • Playground construction or renovations
    • Requests for in-kind donations such as travel insurance.
    • Auction items, door prizes or giveaways.
    • Endowments to community foundations.
    • Goodwill advertising, travel expenses or events outside of BC.
    • Retroactive requests, debt reduction, fundraising or business funding.

    At the discretion of the Health Foundation Board, wages may be funded under the following circumstances:

    • Wages of core staff that are dedicated to a recruitment initiative to train volunteers that are the main service delivery agents.
    • Facilitator wages for the period of the program delivery
    • Reasonable honorariums for speakers or volunteers where these are the smaller part of an event cost.
  6. Are there any programs or projects for which the Foundation will not approve funding?

    The Foundation will not sponsor luncheons, conferences, or golf tournaments. Funding for galas is generally not provided; however, an exception may be made if the gala event advances the Foundation’s objectives.

  7. Can we apply again if we were previously denied funding?

    Yes. If your application has been denied in a given year you can apply again in that same year. Sometimes organizations will reapply for a different program or project, or they’ll refine the original application to try and improve the request, or they come back to us with a request for a smaller funding amount.

  8. Can we apply for new funding if we’ve previously received Foundation funding?

    Yes. However, the Foundation will not provide additional funding to an organization that has already received Foundation funding during that same calendar year and will not normally provide funding in the following year(s) unless it’s been approved as part of a multi-year agreement.

    There may be exceptions to this policy. Funding may be considered if the applicant can demonstrate that the program’s high value should be immediately replicated or if the organization has an innovative new initiative that is significantly different from the previous initiative.

  9. Is there any other information you need to help with the funding application?

    Whether you’re applying for Kick Start, Partner Program or Major Investment funding, we would appreciate learning how you will acknowledge the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation’s donation.

    In addition, the Pacific Blue Cross Corporate Communications department will work with you to help amplify your program or project to our members and other stakeholders, including on our social media channels.

  10. Can you help me decide on the best category for my program or project?

    We hope the information on this website will help clarify the best option for your organization or program.