The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health acted quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic reached our state. We initiated new investments and began working with other funders and organizations to support community efforts to help with immediate needs and long-term recovery.

Our team meets with local, state and regional funder groups to stay up to date on relief efforts and to help connect resources to communities and organizations.

We’ve made more than $185,000 in investments since COVID-19 arrived:

• City of Good. This initiative by Boise restaurants feeds those in need and puts people back to work.
• Coeur d’Alene Tribe. This grant provides access to personal protective equipment in the community.
• COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund for Idaho. This statewide fund established by Idaho Community Foundation in partnership with various United Ways and Idaho Nonprofit Center, has grown to more than $1.4 million. The fund has awarded 72 grants worth about $820,000 with more to come.
• East Idaho Idaho Community Commitment Fund. This grant supports relief efforts in East Idaho.
• Idaho Business for Education. This donation to the Internet for Students Emergency Fund will help students in need access internet services.
• Idaho Food Bank. This donation helps with food and supplies.
• Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force. This grant helps cover unexpected COVID-19 related costs in its Prescription for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program that connects diabetics and prediabetics who are food insecure with fresh produce.
• Innovia Foundation. This grant supports relief efforts in North Idaho.
• Rolling Tomato. This grant will enable the Treasure Valley nonprofit that provides food recovery (taking excess food from farmers and commercial kitchens and getting it to nonprofits that serve people in need) to expand its service area.