Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is inviting nonprofit organizations to apply for its Health Equity Awards. The awards help fund health and wellness programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities in upstate New York. The application period began Aug. 15 and closes at 11:59 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15.

“At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the health of our communities is at the center of everything we do,” said Gina Cuyler, M.D., Vice President Health Equity and Community Investments in a statement. “Together we can confront the crisis in health disparities, embrace and address long-standing gaps in care, and bridge health equity gaps in our underserved communities. That’s why we fund programs that improve access to care, advance specific health outcomes and support organizations in our community that share our mission.”

Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s service area are invited to apply for Health Equity Awards. Application proposals must include clear, defined goals for reducing health disparities and improving health equity for people who face a higher burden of health inequities and social disadvantages. Organizations will be required to specify how funding will measurably assist in improving racial and ethnic health equity outcomes.

Health equity categories include, but are not limited to reducing health disparities in racial, ethnic, LGBTQ communities, people with disabilities, people living in rural or urban communities, or other groups of people that may be at a higher health risk for:

• Medical issues and conditions (chronic or acute).

• Behavioral health or mental health conditions.

• Negative outcomes from the above, including death or suicide.