A total of 22 Upstate nonprofit organizations are the recipients of 2025 Health Equity Innovation Awards from Rochester–based health insurer Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Excellus describes the grants as an annual funding opportunity that supports nonprofit organizations working to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes across upstate New York. Twenty-two nonprofit organizations in the Central […]
A total of 22 Upstate nonprofit organizations are the recipients of 2025 Health Equity Innovation Awards from Rochester–based health insurer Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
Excellus describes the grants as an annual funding opportunity that supports nonprofit organizations working to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes across upstate New York.
Twenty-two nonprofit organizations in the Central New York/Southern Tier, Rochester, and Utica/North Country regions were chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 300 applicants.
The selected organizations are leading efforts to “close gaps in care through innovative, community-driven solutions tailored to the unique needs of the people they serve,” per the Excellus announcement.
Focus areas for funding in each region were strategically identified through community needs assessments, which helped pinpoint the most pressing health challenges and disparities affecting local populations, the health insurer noted.
The Health Equity Innovation Awards will help advance a wide range of initiatives, including community-centered mental health and wellness programs; community-based chronic disease prevention and education; maternal and child-health support services; food access and nutrition initiatives; and workforce development and training in health-related fields.
Regional recipients, projects
CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION
- A Tiny Home for Good – Lead Freedom House
- InterFaith Works – Telehealth education for older adults
- Ithaca Health Alliance – Behavioral health consultant program
- Oswego Health Foundation – Online prenatal education
- Restoreforlife, Inc. – Healing through the arts
- The Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York, Inc. (WCNY) WCNY – Behind the Woman career challenge
- United Way – Healthy Start, Safe Home
UTICA REGION
- Bassett Medical Center – Bassett Cancer Institute partnership
- Madison County Rural Health Council – Mental Health First Aid trainings
- Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees – Healthy Pathways nutrition program
- St. Lawrence Health Foundation – Living in Balance
SOUTHERN TIER
- Binghamton Philharmonic Inc. – Social prescribing program
- Broome County Council of Churches – Greater Good Grocery mobile market bus
- Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga – Tioga Fresh mobile café
- Family Enrichment Network Inc. – Help Me Grow
- Rural Health Network of SCNY Inc. – Produce prescription program
