Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation Rural Health Grants Program

The purpose of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation Rural Health Grants Program is to focus on transforming the health and well-being of rural North Dakotans and address the social determinants of health affecting its communities so we can build a better future of opportunity, access, and full potential for health and well-being for all.

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

It is anticipated that six to eight grants will be awarded in the amounts of $5,000 to $7,500. Strongest consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate strong and cross-sector community collaborations and sustainability.

2026 Guidance

• Grant proposal guidance  CLOSED
  Deadline to submit: 5:00 pm Central on November 14, 2025
  Funding Period: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
  
  

Year 21 Awardees, 2026

These projects must be completed and funds expended by December 31, 2026. Final report and invoice must be submitted by December 31, 2026.

• 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
  The focus of this project is to improve access to education and healthcare resources for older adults living in rural McLean County.
• Midwest Therapy Center – Dickinson
  The focus of this project is to increase access to behavioral-health services for students.
• Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center – Elgin
  The focus 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
  The focus of this project is to 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
  The focus of this project is to provide financial support for low income Cavalier County youth to support the cost of fees to register and participate.
• Northwood Deaconess Health Center – Northwood
  The focus of the N-TAP project is to 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
  The focus of this project is to expand access to care for telepsychiatry.
• CHI Mercy Hospital – Valley City
  The focus of this project is to increase healthcare access rurally by establishing a dedicated chemotherapy infusion service within our ambulatory care department.
• CHI St. Alexius Health – Williston
  The focus of this project is to renovate a 10-bed inpatient psychiatric unit, funding would be focused on medical equipment.

Summaries of Past BCBSND Grants

• BCBSND Rural Health Grants, Yr. 1-11, 2001-2017
• BCBS Rural Recess Grant Awards, Yr. 11
• BCBS Rural Recess Grant Awards, Yr. 10
• BCBS Rural Recess Grant Awards, Yr. 9
• BCBS Rural HIT Grants, Yr. 4-7, 2005-2010
  • BCBS Rural HIT Grants Map, Yr. 4-7
• BCBS Rural Program Grants, Yr. 1-3, 2001-2004