A Tiny Home for Good, InterFaith Works and Oswego Health Foundation among those CNY nonprofits receiving award
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has announced the recipients of its 2025 Health Equity Innovation Awards, an annual funding opportunity that supports nonprofit organizations working to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes across upstate New York.
The selected organizations are leading efforts to close gaps in care through innovative, community-driven solutions tailored to the unique needs of the people they serve.
Twenty-two nonprofit organizations in the Central New York/Southern Tier, Rochester and Utica/North Country regions were chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 300 applicants. Their proposals stood out for their creativity, measurable impact, and alignment with the shared goal of building healthier, more equitable communities.
Focus areas for funding in each region were strategically identified through community needs assessments, which helped pinpoint the most pressing health challenges and disparities affecting local populations.
For example, according to the “Feeding America – Map the Meal Gap 2023” report, food insecurity is a growing concern across New York, affecting more than 2.8 million residents. Individuals facing food insecurity often rely on inexpensive, calorie-dense foods that lack nutritional value, contributing to higher rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. These patterns are especially prevalent in underserved communities where access to fresh produce and healthy food options is limited.
“We support these programs because they align with our mission to help people live healthier lives,” says physician Simone Edwards, vice president for health equity and community investments at Excellus BCBS. “By partnering with organizations that are deeply connected to their communities, we’re helping to create sustainable solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
The Health Equity Innovation Awards will help advance a wide range of initiatives, including:
• Community-centered mental health and wellness programs
• Community-based chronic disease prevention and education
• Maternal and child health support services
• Food access and nutrition initiatives
• Workforce development and training in health-related fields
This initiative reflects Excellus BCBS’s ongoing commitment to advancing community health by investing in programs that promote equity, expand access to care, and empower underserved populations.
CNY Winners
The Central New York Region award recipients and their funded programs are:
• A Tiny Home for Good Families for Lead Freedom House: Renovates a Syracuse property to provide free, temporary housing for families during lead remediation.
• InterFaith Works — Telehealth education for older adults: Expands workshops and one-on-one support to help seniors use telehealth and improve access to care.
• Ithaca Health Alliance — Behavioral health consultant program: Launches free clinic program offering quick triage and short-term counseling, linking patients to ongoing mental health care.
• Oswego Health Foundation — Online prenatal education: Provides free virtual classes on pregnancy, postpartum care, breastfeeding and infant safety to overcome rural access barriers.
• Restoreforlife, Inc. — Healing through the arts: Uses creative expression and guided circles to help families build coping skills, resilience, and emotional wellness.
• The Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York, Inc. (WCNY) — Behind the Woman career challenge: Connects Syracuse high school students with mentors for hands-on health career learning, hospital shadowing, and research projects.
• United Way — Healthy Start, Safe Home: Embeds navigators and peer advocates in high-risk neighborhoods to improve maternal and early childhood health through education and resources.
For the latest information on Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s community investments and partnerships, visit ExcellusBCBS.com/community.