Newsroom | 2026 News Releases
BCBSMT Announces 2026-27 Blue Impact Grant Recipients
June 15, 2026
HELENA, Montana — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana has announced the recipients of its 2026 Blue Impact℠ grants, awarding funding to 13 nonprofits dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Montanans. The Blue Impact grant program underscores BCBSMT’s ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable, measurable initiatives that address the state's most pressing needs.
“Montanans deserve access to the resources and support that make our communities stronger and healthier,” said Lisa Kelley, BCBSMT president. “By partnering with these outstanding organizations, we are investing in programs that drive lasting change and open doors to a brighter, healthier future for all.”
The 2026-27 Blue Impact grantees reflect the diversity of Montana’s communities and the broad spectrum of health and wellness needs. These organizations address barriers to care, enhancing behavioral and mental health support, expanding nutrition programs and delivering innovative local solutions that make a measurable difference in the lives of Montanans. Their work is helping improve access to care and quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds.
2026-27 Blue Impact Grantees:
Billings Clinic Foundation supports the expansion of the Emergency Department at Billings Clinic, Montana’s busiest, increasing capacity and creating safer spaces for patients, including those experiencing mental health emergencies who require specialized psychiatric care.
Calling Our Spirits Forward provides Indigenous-led nutrition and public health programs for tribal members and Native families, offering traditional food education, land-based harvesting, food preservation skills and nutrition lessons in Missoula, Bozeman and Northern Cheyenne Reservation communities.
Family Service, Inc creates pathways from poverty to independence for Yellowstone and surrounding counties through a client-choice food pantry, rural outreach, senior food boxes, holiday food support, emergency rent and utility aid, and educational programs.
Friendship Center of Helena’s Client Services program offers immediate, life-saving support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, advancing health equity and safety in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties.
Great Falls Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic provides speech, language and hearing screenings for preschoolers in Cascade County, ensuring early detection and intervention for children at risk of developmental delays.
Holter Museum of Art’s Healing Arts program delivers free, hands-on art workshops for vulnerable populations, including at-risk youth and hospital patients, fostering connection, inspiration and healing through the arts.
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow's RideWell Transportation Program provides ADA-accessible transportation for elderly and disabled individuals in rural eastern Montana, ensuring timely access to health care and improving quality of life for vulnerable residents.
Montana Consortium for Urban Indian Health supports five Urban Indian Organizations in strengthening culturally based health care and building a collaborative peer network to expand access to health promotion, disease prevention and mental health services for Urban Indians across Montana.
Montana Land to Hand’s Food Rx program provides bi-weekly “prescriptions” for fresh, locally grown produce to low-income patients through partnerships with six regional health clinics, reducing food insecurity and improving long-term health outcomes in Northwest Montana.
Montana Professional Learning Collaborative expands access to evidence-based behavioral health services in rural, frontier, and reservation-based Montana schools, providing Board Certified Behavior Analyst consultation and training to strengthen sustainable behavior support systems in schools with limited behavioral health resources.
Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance delivers year-round programs for youth and families living with Type 1 diabetes, including a summer camp, family retreat, supply assistance for families in need and ongoing community outreach and education to reduce isolation, build confidence and empower youth to manage their health.
The Moving Mountains Foundation's Rising Steps program delivers early intervention to strengthen childcare programs and support families in addressing children’s behavioral and social-emotional development before school entry. Services include behavioral screenings, consultation, classroom strategies and parent coaching to ensure early identification and inclusive support.
Science, Technology, Outdoors, Knowledge, Entrepreneurship (STOKE) delivers free, year-round afterschool programming and a new outdoor education initiative to youth in Broadwater County. By integrating arts, STEM, outdoor recreation and life skills, STOKE empowers rural youth to build social-emotional skills, explore future pathways, and address critical behavioral health needs.
BCBSMT congratulates this year’s Blue Impact Grant recipients and remains committed to collaborating with organizations that create healthier, more resilient Montana communities.
To learn how BCBSMT makes a difference in the communities it serves, read the annual Impact Report.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSMT is the largest and longest-standing statewide, customer-owned health insurer and full-service health benefits administrator in Montana. BCBSMT has provided high-quality health insurance plans and administrative services to Montanans for more than 85 years and is committed to ensuring its members — no matter where they are on the health spectrum — achieve maximum health.
Media Contact
Amanda Douglas
media@bcbsmt.com