Apply for Corporate Funding
Before applying for support, use this information to determine if your organization is eligible for funding. Meeting the support criteria does not guarantee funding.
Please also review the guidelines for the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation to determine if your organization should seek corporate funding or grant support from the Foundation. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Support Criteria
In determining which programs to support, we look for these criteria:
- Organization is in South Carolina.
- Organization is a 501(c)(3) or an educational or governmental entity with tax-exempt status that is not a private foundation.
- In the event of a disaster, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina may provide emergency support to the affected area at the discretion of the president and CEO or senior management.
- Educational institutions are accredited by the appropriate accrediting bodies.
- Organization is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
- Organization is a 501(c)(6) business league.
- Organization can present its most recent IRS Form 990.
- Organization has strong leadership and the capacity to accomplish the organization's mission independently.
- Overhead expenses are not more than 25 percent of the total operating budget.
Non-Eligible Organizations and Programs
BlueCross does not provide support for these purposes through its corporate giving program:
- For-profit organizations
- Loans, scholarships, fellowships and grants to individuals
- Travel or conferences for personnel
- Organizations or projects that discriminate against individuals based on age, race, gender, religion or sexual preference
- Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns
- Religious causes or organizations, unless it is separate from religious purposes and provides services to the community at large, such as a food pantry. It also must have its own 501(c)(3) designation.
- Sporting events without a charitable beneficiary
- Contests or pageants
- Travel funds for tours, exhibitions or trips
- Nonprofit foundations, excluding community foundations
- Charitable contributions with the sole purpose of receiving goods or tickets
Multi-Year Application
Have you had a conversation with the Community Relations department about submitting a multi-year request? If not, please send an email to Community.Relations@bcbssc.com to request the link to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Apply
Applicants should briefly describe the organization's mission and programs. They should also show how the request relates to the mission.
Submit your application two to three months before you need funds for your event or program. Depending on the volume of requests, you should hear from BlueCross in six to eight weeks.
If you intend to request support for more than one program or event over the course of a year, we ask that you consolidate your request into one application.
If you have additional questions, you can contact the Community Relations department at Community.Relations@bcbssc.com.
What is the focus of the corporate charitable giving program?
Our business is health insurance, so we support organizations that promote individual and public health. We aim to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.
Can I schedule an appointment to discuss my project idea?
Due to the volume of inquiries, we are unable to meet with every nonprofit organization. Please review the company's focus areas and support criteria to determine whether your project or program aligns with our priorities.
How do I know if my organization is eligible?
Please review the focus areas and support criteria to determine if your organization is eligible.
When do you accept applications?
We review applications on a rolling basis from Feb. 1 to Nov. 30.
Where can I apply?
Apply for funding here. Register on the site by creating a user login and password before you complete an application.
I forgot my password. What should I do?
Select the “Forgot Password” link on the account login page.
How do I access a saved application so that I can complete and submit it?
Log in to your account.
Can I spell check the narrative I include on my application?
Yes. Please use the red checkmark icon (where available) to spell check your narrative.
Can I copy and paste into an application that I have started?
Yes.
How do I know BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina received my application?
After you submit the application, you will receive an email notification that we received the proposal. If you do not receive the email, please be sure to check your spam filter. We receive a high volume of requests and appreciate your patience as you wait for a response.
How should I notify you if my contact information changes after I submit my online application?
Log in to your account here to update your information.
May I apply via mail, email or fax?
No. You must submit your application electronically here.
If my organization is small and does not have an audited financial statement, what kind of financial information should we submit?
In place of an audited statement, you may submit your organization's most recent annual tax filing, profit and loss statement, or annual budget.
If we have already uploaded or faxed a copy of our government charity license or U.S. 501 (c)(3) letter with proposals submitted in the past, do we need to provide another copy?
No. We retain electronic copies of all the documents uploaded to our application system and can refer to the original.
When can we expect the check if we are approved?
Once we approve the request, it typically takes about two weeks for funds to be disbursed.
If we are declined, may we reapply?
We receive many more requests from organizations than we can support. If your application is declined, you are welcome to reapply the following year.
How do we determine if our organization should apply for a corporate gift or a grant through the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation?
Typically, corporate gifts support South Carolina-based nonprofit organizations through event sponsorships, support for special projects and programs, or support for general operations. The Corporate Giving department has many focus areas, including health, human services, arts, education, economic development and more. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
The Foundation issues grants to support projects that promote the health of South Carolinians, particularly the economically vulnerable. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Any eligible organization interested in applying for a grant needs to submit a letter of intent first. To learn more, visit the Foundation’s website.
May we apply for a corporate gift and a grant from the Foundation for the same program?
We recommend you review the corporate giving guidelines and the Foundation grant guidelines to determine which would best fit your request. Most requests are only eligible to receive a gift from one entity.