Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation offer $1 million in grants
United Way of Central Indiana and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation to offer $1 million in grants for early childhood wellness programs
United Way of Central Indiana and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation are joining forces to help improve health, reduce obesity, and encourage wellness in young children through two grant programs.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation’s commitment to enhancing the health and the well-being of individuals and families in the community aligns strategically with United Way’s priority of providing high-quality pre-kindergarten programs to all Central Indiana children. This partnership heightens the importance of healthy behaviors in early childhood development and provides a strong foundation for physical, mental and social growth.
"We are delighted to work with the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to advance the health and wellness of Central Indiana’s youngest residents,” said Ann D. Murtlow, president and CEO, United Way of Central Indiana. “Through improved facilities and instruction, this partnership will lead to stronger, healthier children.”
With $1 million in funding from the Foundation, United Way will administer two separate grants. One grant is directed toward curriculum, professional development and research improvements that lead to healthy eating and physical activity through high-quality programming at early childhood education providers in Marion County. The second grant will be awarded to child care providers to make indoor and outdoor recreational area improvements and/or purchase equipment and furnishings designed to reduce childhood obesity through increased physical activity.
For the second grant, Anthem Foundation employees plan to take it one step further and help build and assemble the recreation equipment.
“Indianapolis has been Anthem’s hometown since 1944,” said Robert W. Hillman, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. “This is a great city, and Anthem is committed to making it even better by focusing on kids’ health and ensuring that quality early childhood education opportunities are more widely available in our community.”
Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and will continue until all grant dollars are depleted. Email all applications to Anne Gabbert at anna.gabbert@uwci.org.
Click here to view application
Contact: Jessica Di Santo, Director of Communications
United Way of Central Indiana
317.921.1224 (office)
317.292.5608 (cell)