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Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation 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 18 Awardees, 2023

These projects must be completed and funds expended by December 31, 2023. Final report and invoice must be submitted by December 31, 2023.

  • Southwest Health Services – Bowman
    The focus of this project is to implement an employee health initiative, "Step It Up," at Southwest Healthcare Services to increase employee engagement, health, and well-being, with the goal of continuing to provide exemplary care to the community.
  • Altru Foundation – Grand Forks/Devils Lake
    This project's objective is to increase healthcare access by implementing remote patient monitoring for Altru Clinic Devils Lake's high-risk rural obstetrics patients.
  • West River Health Services – Hettinger
    This project's goal is to purchase exercise bikes with remote instruction capabilities and place them in the community fitness Center to ensure ongoing access to spin class instruction.
  • LaMoure County Public Health Dept. – LaMoure
    LaMoure County Public Health is working with the LaMoure Park Board, LaMoure Community Development Corporation, and the LaMoure Baseball Boosters in this project to build a pickleball court. The court will be located in the Sunset Park, LaMoure.
  • Nelson County Health System – McVille
    The focus of this project is to send the only Teepa Snow consultant in North Dakota to rural facilities to educate on dementia training.
  • Turtle Lake Hospital – Turtle Lake
    The focus of this project is to open a community wellness center. This is a collaborative effort between Turtle Lake Hospital, Turtle Lake Community Center, and Turtle Lake-Mercer Public School.
  • Milestone Health Partners, LLC – Williston
    The focus of this project is to deliver remote therapeutic services directly into Milestone Health Partners to treat anxiety, depression, and trauma-related concerns in youth. This grant will help to continue the telehealth training program so that residents in western North Dakota can have more access to needed behavioral health services.

Summaries of Past BCBSND Grants