Blue KC has spent more than 80 years investing in and supporting our community. Through a wide variety of engagement and giving initiatives, 2021 was certainly no exception. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to pose health challenges and strain resources, Blue KC redoubled efforts related to key partnerships, community engagement and financial support through giving.
Let’s review a few of the ways we gave back in 2021.
As the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Missouri and the only not-for-profit commercial insurer in Kansas City, Blue KC has spent more than 80 years investing in the region. This past year, Blue KC’s Community Investment team provided funds to more than 250 nonprofit organizations in Kansas City through sponsorship and grant funding, including investment in #ZeroReasonsWhy, community mobilization and story campaign to prevent teen suicide. In addition, Blue KC provided a capacity-building grant to People of All Colors Succeed, who collaborate with schools and businesses to better provide opportunities to youth through their Real World Learning in-school curriculum program. And in partnership with the Kansas City Royals, Blue KC provided grants to multiple organizations through the Shut Out the Stigma campaign, which highlights the importance of behavioral health.
As part of an effort to increase awareness of hunger facing underserved areas in and around Kansas City, Well Stocked — Blue KC Initiative — provided grants to local organizations like The Giving Grove and Feed KC Forward.
Blue KC employees did their part to pitch in as well, pledging nearly $300,000 to 151 organizations during the annual Blue KC Cares Campaign, including almost $100,000 dedicated to the United Way of Greater Kansas City.
Blue KC employees served on more than 50 local nonprofit boards and spent countless hours throughout 2021 volunteering at organizations such as Harvesters – The Community Food Network and HappyBottoms.
Members of Blue KC’s senior leadership team volunteered their time as well, serving on the board of many community nonprofit organizations, including United Way of Greater Kansas City, Community Blood Center, the Highland Community College Foundation, the American Lung Association in Kansas & Greater Kansas City, Starlight Theater, Union Station, the Police Foundation of Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix Family, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Rose Brooks Center and the Kansas City Area Development Council.
To provide outreach and better meet the social needs of COVID-19 positive members, Blue KC’s Community Health team partnered with the Mid-America Regional Council, resulting in:
And in a push to highlight the importance of behavioral health, Blue KC partnered with the city’s professional women’s soccer team, Kansas City Current, as well as Girls on the Run — a nonprofit organization that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident — and #ZeroReasonsWhy — a community mobilization and story campaign to prevent teen suicide. The partnership included a discussion featuring KC Current players, the Blue KC Behavioral Health team, and Girls on the Run participants, who were also invited to attend a KC Current home game. The match featured a #ZeroReasonsWhy banner signing in the main concourse, where patrons were invited to share their experiences and offer words of encouragement for those struggling with behavioral health issues.
Blue KC’s call center and designated employees were recognized during SQM’s annual virtual awards ceremony in May 2021.
Blue KC is extremely proud of the support it provided the community throughout 2021. No matter what the future holds, we’ll continue to invest in ways that make a lasting impact in the region.