Florida Blue Foundation now accepting grant applications for maternal health initiatives across the state

The Florida Blue Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue and part of the GuideWell portfolio of companies, is now accepting grant applications from nonprofits focused on improving maternal health outcomes in Florida. The Foundation seeks to fund Florida-based nonprofits with innovative and actionable solutions designed to improve maternal health outcomes and ensure access to quality health care services and support.

By the numbers: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida's maternal mortality rate is higher than the national average, with 19.4% of the state's counties classified as "maternity care deserts." Rural areas are particularly vulnerable, with 100% of women living more than 30 minutes from a birthing hospital, compared to 10.7% in urban areas.

• Additionally, chronic conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity significantly increase the risk of severe pregnancy-related complications and are major drivers of maternal morbidity and mortality in Florida.

To address these challenges, the Foundation is seeking to support solutions that:

• Improve maternal health outcomes for those with chronic conditions; and/or
• Provide perinatal and postpartum maternal mental health support

Special consideration will be given to organizations that use innovative AI-powered solutions, such as chatbots or predictive analytics, and to those serving people living in under-resourced communities and/or Florida's rural counties.

"Every mother and baby in Florida deserves care they can count on, before, during, and after birth. That's what drives us," said Susan Towler, vice president of the Florida Blue Foundation. "When we partner with nonprofits doing this work on the ground, we're helping them reach the families who need support the most. Together, we're building a healthier Florida, one family at a time."

Florida Blue Foundation has earmarked approximately $3 million for the new grant program, offering four-year grants. The latest round of grants, which will be announced in early 2027, will further accelerate progress in improving maternal health outcomes.

Nonprofit organizations with documented expertise and experience in improving maternal health outcomes are encouraged to apply for funding. Applications are due by Monday, October 5, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). For more information about the grant program and application process, please watch this educational webinar and visit FloridaBlue.com/Foundation.

To learn more about the Florida Blue Foundation's impact across the state, read GuideWell's latest impact report.

About Florida Blue Foundation

Florida Blue Foundation enables healthy communities by making grants, building coalitions, and embracing solutions that create a meaningful impact in communities across the state. An average of 10 million Floridians receive services each year as a result of its community investments. Founded in 2001, Florida Blue Foundation is committed to improving health by impacting food security, advancing mental well-being, growing healthy communities, and addressing health disparities. Florida Blue Foundation is a trade name of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit https://www.FloridaBlue.com/Foundation.

About Florida Blue

Driven by its mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, Florida Blue is the leading health insurer in Florida, and part of GuideWell, a not-for-profit health solutions company. Florida Blue offers a range of health plans and personalized care programs for individuals, families, businesses of all sizes, and Medicare beneficiaries. For over 80 years, the organization has been member centric and committed to making health care as accessible and affordable as possible. Serving more than six million members across all 67 Florida counties, Florida Blue has more than 7,000 employees and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., is owned by its policyholders, and is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

For additional information visit FloridaBlue.com. For the latest news and content, visit the Florida Blue Newsroom, and follow Florida Blue on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @Florida.Blue; and X (formerly Twitter) @FLBlue.