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Building Healthier Rural Community (BUILD) Grants Program

The purpose of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation Building Healthier Rural Community (BUILD) 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 equity and full potential 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.

2024 Guidance

Important Dates:
November 17, 2023 Proposals must be submitted via online submission by 5:00 pm Central
December 22, 2023 Notification of awards
January 1, 2024 Funding period begins
June 1, 2024 Interim report due
December 31, 2024 Project must be completed and funds expended. Final report and invoice must be submitted.

Year 19 Awardees, 2024

These projects must be completed and funds expended by December 31, 2024. Final report and invoice must be submitted by December 31, 2024.

  • Compass Health, Inc. – Kenmare
    The focus of this program is to create a mental health coaching program to address the growing need for mental health assistance in an area that lacks mental health professionals.
  • Cooperstown Center Medical Foundation – Cooperstown
    The focus of this project is on creating a handicap accessible garden that is a safe environment for our care residents and community to connect to nature, associated with improving physical and mental health.
  • Eckert Youth Homes – Williston
    In this project, Eckert Youth Homes will purchase the RealCare Baby 3 Simulator and accompanying four section curriculum and incorporate this education into existing programming.
  • House of Everyday Learning – Fargo
    The focus of this project is to help alleviate the burdens that families experience driving to Fargo for pediatric screenings or therapy services on a weekly or bi-weekly frequency. The Mobile Therapy Unit Program brings these services directly to rural communities and decreases barriers such as transportation, cost, and time away from work and school for the families that it serves, while also increasing availability and access to healthcare.
  • Langdon Prairie Health – Langdon
    The focus of this project is to reach out to the Langdon community to educate and provide resources to everyone from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds that mental health services are available by telehealth in a private, confidential and secure setting, concentrating on two specific population groups, youth and farmers, to assist in treatment of depression, anxiety, traumatic events.
  • Northland Health Center – Turtle Lake
    The focus of project "A Care Closet" is to provide a free resource for students and their families who are experiencing hardships: food insecurity, lack of weather-appropriate clothing, basic hygiene supplies, school supplies, and more.
  • Pembina County Memorial Hospital – Cavalier
    The focus of this project is to provide an outdoor activity for the residents, staff, and community volunteers at Wedgewood Manor, a skilled nursing facility in Cavalier. Cycling with Love includes all ages and stages of life.
  • Sanford Health – Hillsboro
    The focus of this project is to provide adaptive devices to allow those with mobility issues to get to medical appointments.
  • Sanford Health – Valley City
    The focus of this project is the Promotion of Breastfeeding in Rural Populations program. The program will address several social determinants of health areas including healthcare access and quality, economic stability, and education access and quality. One Certified Lactation Consultant and two nurses will travel to other Sanford Health rural clinics where lactation services and support do not exist.

Summaries of Past BCBSND Grants