Established in April of 2024 to expand Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska’s (BCBSNE) philanthropic reach, the Nebraska Blue Foundation is dedicated to strengthening communities through strategic partnerships, programs, and investments that meet the evolving needs of Nebraskans.
In its first year, the foundation focused on learning where the need in the state was greatest, strategizing how to get the word out, and getting off the ground in an impactful way. Jay Warren-Teamer, executive director of the Nebraska Blue Foundation and DEI at BCBSNE, said she and the foundation board of directors landed on four focus areas when looking at grant and donation requests: senior health and well-being, preventive care, third places, and economic vitality.
“The need in Nebraska is great, which means there are many ways we can show up,” Warren-Teamer said. “We identified these focus areas because they align with BCBSNE’s mission of championing the health and well-being of our members and communities.”
With these priorities in place, the foundation allocated $330,000 in funding to initiatives that strengthen communities and promote well-being, including:
• Workforce pipeline programming and community health navigation at the Community Wellness Collaborative with a $75,000 donation.
• Completion of the Rural Health Education Building, part of the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a $200,000 donation.
• $55,000 in total donations between Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands, Angels Among Us, YMCA, Combined Health Agencies Drive, and the Food Bank for the Heartland.
“Our grants in our first year had an immediate impact on Nebraska communities,” Warren-Teamer said. “The donations to the Community Wellness Collaborative and YMCA alone covered tuition for CNA students, created a part-time health navigator position, and provided YMCA memberships for Nebraska families.”
Over 200 individuals received financial assistance for YMCA programs from the foundation’s investment. Rebecca Deterding, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Omaha, emphasized the importance of the partnership, noting that “working with the foundation ensures families across Nebraska have access to opportunities that will create a lifelong impact.”
Donations to the Community Wellness Collaborative and the Rural Health Education Building provided scholarships, training programs, and space for students across Nebraska to grow, train, and keep communities healthy for years to come.
“The contribution from the Nebraska Blue Foundation allowed Nebraska Medicine and UNMC to support our community through increased health screenings, programming, and referrals,” said Ada Walker, vice president of people development and culture at Nebraska Medicine. “Having a physical space to make authentic community connections expands the breadth and depth of our reach.”
The foundation recently closed its spring 2025 grant application cycle, focusing on preventive health and improving the lives of Nebraska’s seniors. “There’s so much good happening across the state,” Warren-Teamer said. “It’s overwhelming in the best way to learn about the nonprofits in our state who are serving those in need.”
The foundation will announce its next round of funding in May and will open fall grant applications in July. Learn more at NebraskaBlue.com/Foundation.
