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2026 Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation Grant Recipients Announced

Jan 14, 2026

Twelve organizations across North Dakota have received funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation Rural Health Grants Program. The program aims to transform the health and well-being of rural North Dakotans and address social determinants of health affecting its communities.

Recipients

The twelve grant recipients are:

  • Indigenized Behavioral Healing, Belcourt
    The focus of this project is a two-day conference that will bring together local healthcare partners to address mental health disparities through culturally grounded, evidence-informed strategies.
  • Missouri Slope, Bismarck
    This project will improve access to education and healthcare resources for older adults living in rural McLean County.
  • Midwest Therapy Center, Dickinson
    This project will increase access to behavioral health services for students.
  • Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center, Elgin
    The goal of this project is to implement a syringe pump that ensures accurate, safe, and timely medication delivery for critically ill children in a rural setting.
  • Anne Carlsen Center, Jamestown
    This project will directly address the social drivers of health domains of healthcare access, quality, social, and community context by reducing geographic and systemic barriers to care, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to receive the right care.
  • Langdon Prairie Health, Langdon
    The focus of this project is to purchase and install a new automated computed tomography (CT) contrast injector.
  • Cavalier County Health District, Langdon
    This project's goal is to provide financial support for low-income Cavalier County youth to support the cost of fees to register and participate in physical activities.
  • Northwood Deaconess Health Center, Northwood
    The Northwood Transportation Assistance Program (N-TAP) will encourage and support aging individuals to attend healthcare-related appointments and facilitate transportation.
  • Rolette County Public Health District, Rolla
    The focus of this project is to provide a mobile foot care program for seniors.
  • Heart of America Medical Center, Rugby
    This project will expand access to care for telepsychiatry.
  • CHI Mercy Hospital, Valley City
    This project will increase rural healthcare access by establishing a dedicated chemotherapy infusion service within the CHI Mercy Hospital ambulatory care department.
  • CHI St. Alexius Health, Williston
    This project will aim to renovate a 10-bed inpatient psychiatric unit with a focus on medical equipment.
Holly Long

"We're proud to recognize this year's recipients of the BCBSND Caring Foundation Rural Health Grants," said Holly Long, project coordinator at the Center for Rural Health (CRH). "These awards support community-driven solutions that strengthen access to care, expand vital services, and address the social determinants of health in rural North Dakota. Each organization is making a meaningful difference for their neighbors, and it's inspiring to see how their work improves health and well-being across our state."

About the BCBSND Caring Foundation

The BCBSND Caring Foundation Rural Health Grants Program is housed within CRH at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences. This is the 21st year these grants have been given to rural communities through CRH. The program targets the following primary focus areas:

  • Economic stability
  • Education access and quality
  • Healthcare access and quality
  • Neighborhood and built environment
  • Social and community context