Foundation Supports Domestic Violence Shelters in a Time of High Need
Q2 funds also to help small businesses take advantage of health reform, strengthen safety net
San Francisco, June 8, 2010 - Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) today announced $6 million in new grants, with more than half of the money aimed at keeping the doors open at domestic violence shelters across California.
The Foundation's support for domestic violence services comes at a critical time when agencies are facing the twin challenges of high demand from families under economic stress and an uncertain state budget.
"Domestic violence shelters are a lifeline for California families," said Bess Bendet, director of Blue Shield Against Violence. "With a sharp increase in the number of families seeking help and so much uncertainty around funding for shelters, our core support is needed now more than ever."
Blue Shield of California Foundation is the largest private funder of domestic violence services in California. Over the next two years, the Foundation plans to spend $3.2 million to help up to 121 domestic violence shelters and service providers cover basic operational costs. This latest commitment brings the Foundation's total support for domestic violence services and prevention in California to more than $30 million since 2002.
Other new grants intended to help strengthen the safety net of domestic violence services:
- $330,000 to the Nonprofit Finance Fund to provide "Tough Times" financial consulting to shelters that are especially impacted by the current economic climate; and
- $30,000 to Marin Abused Women's Services to identify and share best practices for helping faith-based organizations address domestic violence in their communities.
Helping small business learn more about health reform and strengthening the safety net
Blue Shield of California Foundation has awarded $400,000 to Small Business Majority to support work helping California's small businesses navigate the landscape after federal health reform. The grant will help the small business community understand how the new law will make it easier to get coverage for their employees.
"Over half of uninsured Californians work for small businesses," said Brenda Solórzano, the Foundation's chief program director and director of BSCF's Health Care and Coverage program. "If we are going to succeed in providing health coverage to all Californians, we have to help small-business owners use the new tax credit and other tools that make coverage more affordable."
The Foundation renewed support for one of its signature projects, Clinic Leadership Institute (CLI). Over the next two years, CLI will receive $1.9 million to provide a leadership program for a fourth cohort of emerging community clinic leaders. The highly successful leadership program, which graduates its second class in June 2010, is administered by the Center for the Health Professions at the University of California, San Francisco.
About Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the largest healthcare grantmaking organizations in California. For more information, visit: www.blueshieldcafoundation.org. The Foundation was formed by Blue Shield of California, a not-for-profit corporation with more than 3.4 million members, 4,800 employees, and 20 offices throughout California. For more information about the company, please visit www.blueshieldca.com.