Seven CNY nonprofits awarded Excellus Health Equity Innovation funding

DeWITT, N.Y. — Le Moyne College, Cayuga Counseling Services, and On Point for College are among seven Central New York organizations awarded funding in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Health Equity Innovation Awards.

Excellus, Central New York’s largest health insurer, awarded the CNY organizations $162,500, which is part of a total of more than $520,000 in financial support for community programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities across the health plan’s upstate New York service area.

Excellus grants will support 20 nonprofits across the Central New York, Rochester, Utica/North Country, and Southern Tier regions.

With more than 180 applicants, the review process included input from individuals with “diverse backgrounds and experiences to assess each proposal.” Funding recipients were selected based on “clear, defined goals and measurable results for reducing health disparities and improving health equity,” the health system said.

CNY funding recipients

• Le Moyne College – Dolphins Spreading Healthy Optimistic Positive Experience (HOPE)
• Cayuga Counseling Services, Inc.
• Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service (SPCS) of Tompkins County – LGBTQIA+ Crisis Line
• The Upstate Foundation, Inc.- Native American Preterm program
• On Point for College – Creating Safe Spaces
• Joseph’s House for Women, Inc. – A Home for a Healthier Future
• Seven Valleys Health Coalition – Postpartum doula support in rural communities