Skip to main content
Due to COVID-19, CRH will continue working remotely until further notice.

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

The purpose of the BCBSND Caring Foundation Rural Health Grant Program is to serve and show benefit to rural North Dakotans and their health needs, and raise awareness for the need for all ages to engage in more daily physical activity and overall wellness.

The program targets the following primary focus area(s):

  • Activities that support activity and wellness for all ages
  • Supplies that support activity and wellness for all ages
  • Programs that support activity and wellness for all ages
  • Events that support activity and wellness for all ages

2021-2022 Guidance

Important Dates:
November 10, 2020 
10:00 – 10:30 am Central
 Technical assistance Zoom conference call for interested applicants
April 29, 2021 Proposals must be submitted via online submission by 5:00 pm Central
May 12, 2021 Notification of awards
November 15, 2021 Interim report due
May 15, 2022 Project must be completed and funds expended
May 19, 2022 Final report and invoice must be submitted

Year 15 Awardees, 2020-2021

These projects must be completed, final report submitted, and funds expended by September 18, 2021.

  • Southwest Healthcare Services, Bowman
    Funds were used to add contract nursing to the hospital in order to better address the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • CHI St. Alexius Health, Carrington
    CHI St. Alexius Health, Carrington will offer a weekly book club based on the book Intuitive Eating to teach staff tools for mindful eating. To promote physical activity, a step mill will also be purchased for the facility.
  • St. Luke's Medical Center, Crosby
    Funds are being used to assist in purchasing a new blood gas unit to help those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Unity Medical Center, Grafton
    Unity Medical Center will use grant funds to start a wellness program to include Lunch & Learns at the hospital, culinary medicine classes for staff and the public along with a demonstration booth at the local supermarket, and opening the physical therapy gym to staff during hours that are not utilized by patients.
  • West River Health Services, Hettinger
    West River Health Services will use funds to train and certify six community members to become fitness instructors – three for YogaFIT and three through the online American Council on Exercise Group Fitness program. Two classes per month throughout the year will be taught in their respective certification areas at the Hettinger Armory.
  • Emmons County Public Health, Linton
    Emmons County Public Health will be instituting "Stepping On," a workshop designed for people 65 years of age or older who may have had a fall in the past year, have a fear of falling, live in their own residence, and do not have dementia. The seven-week program will have guest speakers from various healthcare and public safety professions provide information and instruction relating to their profession on how to prevent falls.
  • Nelson County Health System, McVille
    Nelson County Health System will use funds for an employee nutritional education initiative to provide staff with nutritional information and healthy meal examples, including why choosing healthier foods makes a difference in their health.
  • Presentation Medical Center, Rolla
    Presentation Medical Center will use the grant to fund a series of six 5k runs for the community to help combat climbing obesity rates.
  • Sargent County District Health Unit, Forman
    Sargent County District Health Unit is focusing on physical activity by using grant funds to purchase a rowing machine for the Sargent Central Public School's Community Wellness Center.
  • Mountrail County Medical Center, Stanley
    Funds from the grant were used to utilize a courier service to transport high-priority COVID-19 tests to the nearest testing lab, allowing results to be returned with maximum efficiency.

Summaries of Past BCBSND Grants