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Building a Healthier Future for the Upper Peninsula's Aging Population: New Grant Program Accepting Applications
Teddy Lemmer
| 4 min read
DETROIT, June 18, 2025 – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation (BCBSM Foundation), in partnership with Superior Health Foundation and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, is now accepting applications for the 2025 Investing in the Health of the Upper Peninsula grant program.
Older adults are important and valued members of communities across Michigan. They also face distinct challenges that may impact their health and well-being, including higher rates of isolation, loneliness and chronic disease, resulting in increased demand for home health services, assisted living and nursing home care. The intersection of health, social and economic support is particularly critical in this context, as the lack of access to resources such as food, housing and social connections can further compromise health outcomes. In the Upper Peninsula, many communities face declining tax bases, reduced services and a shortage of caregivers, which add to the challenge of meeting older adults’ complex needs.
The BCBSM Foundation created this grant program to support a comprehensive approach to address the unique needs of this population in the Upper Peninsula, which is home to 23% of Michigan residents aged 65 and older. Access to resources such as health care, social connections and caregiver initiatives is essential for improving health outcomes and overall well-being in the region.
"The rural communities of the Upper Peninsula face unique challenges in accessing quality health care, and we are committed to bridging that gap," said Audrey Harvey, president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. "Regular access to essential health services is crucial, especially for those without a primary care provider, as it enables early detection and management of chronic diseases, prevents serious outcomes and helps improve health care affordability. Through this grant program, we aim to support local organizations in developing innovative solutions that make health care more accessible, affordable and effective for older adults in these rural areas, ultimately improving their overall health and well-being."
Together, the organizations have identified the following priority areas for funding:
- Access to care initiatives that increase utilization of primary, behavioral and palliative care or other services for older adults, focusing on enhanced coordination of care.
- Workforce development programs specialize in training or expanding availability of community health workers or mental health providers.
- Chronic disease prevention programs that are innovative or evidence-based.
- Caregiving initiatives that improve the health or quality of life of family caregivers of older adults with a focus on innovative respite models and increased retention rates of professional caregivers supporting older adults.
- Innovative programs that aim to reduce isolation and loneliness among older adults.
- Health literacy initiatives that aim to empower individuals and providers to learn and communicate about available services and needs and ultimately lead to more-informed health-related decisions.
- Organizations focused on data collection, analysis, evaluation or capacity building projects.
"The aging population of Michigan's Upper Peninsula plays a vital role in our community, and it is essential to prioritize their health and well-being,” stated Megan Murphy, chief executive officer of the Superior Health Foundation. “This grant program represents a significant step forward in addressing their unique challenges, such as social isolation and limited access to health care services. We are excited to partner with the BCBSM Foundation and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to support local organizations in developing innovative solutions that will make a real difference in the lives of our older adults."
"This grant program aligns with our mission to improve the health and well-being of Michigan residents,” said Tim Niyonsenga, senior program officer at Michigan Health Endowment Fund. “We are eager to support local organizations in the Upper Peninsula to develop creative solutions to address social determinants of health, increase caregiver support and expand health care access. By coordinating our investments and pooling our expertise with our funding partners, we aim to drive positive change and ensure older adults in the U.P. receive the care and support they need to thrive."
Organizations interested in applying must submit a concept paper for feedback before being invited to submit a full proposal. The concept paper template is available at bcbsm.com/foundation, and submissions are due to upinvest@bcbsm.com by 11:59 p.m. on July 11, 2025.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MIBlueDaily.com. For more on the BCBSM Foundation, visit bcbsm.com/foundation.
