Children race their parents in pulley-powered chairs. Early walkers navigate “Toddler Town,” while older siblings are nearby exploring the outdoors. Adventurous little ones zipline in a safe, kid-friendly environment.
These joyful moments of healthy play — and many more across Kansas — were made possible by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation, which this summer celebrated 20 years of sparking healthier futures for Kansans.
“The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation has made a lasting impact on the health of Kansas children by helping them build healthy habits through play,” said Dené Mosier, President/CEO of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. “The Foundation has invested in spaces that make movement irresistible. Together, these exhibits inspire physical activity, spark curiosity about the human body, and help families see healthy movement as fun, joyful and part of everyday life.”
The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center is just one of many nonprofits and school-based health initiatives that have benefited from the Foundation’s generosity.
Setting up for success
Founded in July 2005, the Foundation cements the BCBSKS commitment to helping Kansans access a better quality of life — and has awarded more than $10.9 million in grants to support nonprofits in that work over the past 20 years.
That far-reaching impact began with a single $2 million investment by BCBSKS in 2005. Over time, additional BCBSKS contributions totaling $10 million — plus earned interest — have grown the Foundation’s invested principal to more than $14 million.
That growth has allowed the Foundation to award between $600,000 and $800,000 annually to health-focused initiatives across the state, and this year the Foundation will award over $1 million, said Marlou Wegener, Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation and Director, Community Relations. Marlou has served as the Foundation’s COO — and sole employee — for the past 16 years.
Matt All, BCBSKS President/CEO, serves as the Foundation board president. “For two decades, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation has been a catalyst for healthier communities across Kansas,” Matt said. “From scholarships and school-based grants to support for community and mental health centers, nonprofits serving every age and stage, and domestic violence prevention efforts, we’ve invested in the health and potential of Kansans.”
Bolstering nonprofit health initiatives
Grantees must be 501(c)3 nonprofits, with the exception of schools applying for Healthy Habits for Life grants, and all grants must relate to one of the Foundation’s five, health-related funding pillars:
- Health improvement
- Community health access and health education
- Healthy behaviors
- Prevention initiatives
- Direct health services to the uninsured
“We are serving people all across the state — particularly those who are most vulnerable,” Marlou said, noting she is especially proud of the Foundation’s work to serve the uninsured and students.
In addition to leading the Foundation, Marlou also oversees BCBSKS corporate giving in her Community Relations role — which includes sponsorships of nonprofit events and initiatives. While both efforts support community health, the Foundation operates independently, with a dedicated funding structure focused solely on health-related grants within the five pillars.
Building health for life
Healthy Habits for Life, which helps schools fund physical and mental health initiatives for students in kindergarten through grade 12, was established by the Foundation in 2006 and remains a premier part of its work.
Nearly $2.5 million in Healthy Habits for Life grants have supported thousands of students and hundreds of schools across the state. With small grants up to $2,000 each, teachers, nurses, physical education programs and administrators have all been among awardees.
Creative and diverse programs have included heart rate monitors for PE classes, pedometers for walking programs and even game systems to keep kids active during indoor recess. Other schools have invested in nutritional and wellness curriculum, playground equipment or organizing health fairs.
“The younger you can start getting kids on the health and wellness trajectory, the better,” Marlou said. “Healthy Habits for Life gets kids active and involved at a time when they want to get involved — that can prevent so many things down the road.”
Growing a network of care
Other notable grantees have included:
- The Kansas Mission of Mercy (KMOM) free dental clinic, offered in locations across the state, which the Foundation has supported for the past 12 years.
- A physician fellowship in child and adolescent psychology at the KU School of Medicine Wichita campus, to help combat the shortage of psychologists serving children across the state.
- Kansas Lions Sight Foundation mobile screening, which for a number of years provided free vision health screenings across the state and was supported by the Foundation from 2008 through 2020.
- Scholarships for Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, community colleges and technical schools to help those pursuing health careers in Kansas.
- Domestic violence prevention efforts across the state, including Jana’s Campaign programming to help students prevent and respond to relationship violence.
- Health-related efforts by nonprofits including the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts, Kansas CASA (court-appointed special advocates), area senior centers, and more.
Making healthy living fun
The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, which promotes healthy living through hands-on, science-based learning, has received support from the Foundation for several interactive structures promoting healthy play since its opening in 2011.
The “Lift Yourself” pulley chair exhibit; “Toddler Town” for those taking their first steps; the outdoor zipline; and, most recently, the Foundation has provided funding for the “Sunflower Climber,” an interactive indoor structure honoring the state flower that will be unveiled as part of the center’s renovation project.
“The Foundation has been a true partner in helping the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center grow and evolve to meet the needs of families,” Dené said. “With their help, we’ve been able to create experiences that meet children where they are developmentally. The Foundation’s vision for healthier Kansas families has guided the creation of spaces that combine education, activity and play, ensuring children of all abilities have opportunities to thrive.”
Funding the future
As Marlou looks toward the Foundation’s next 20 years, she’s setting a course for continued excellence.
Among her goals for the future are to assess how grant funds are spread across all 103 Kansas counties that BCBSKS serves and look for additional areas of opportunity. She also plans to look for opportunities that align with the organization’s Vision 2030 goals — particularly in supporting mental and behavioral health efforts.
Just as the Foundation has for the past 20 years, it will continue to work with outstanding nonprofits and community members to help advance the health of all Kansans.
“As we mark this 20-year milestone, we celebrate not only the impact we’ve made but the partnerships that have made it possible,” Matt said. “We remain deeply committed to investing in the well-being of the people we serve — all across Kansas — for many years to come.”
Amy Bauer, Senior Corporate Communications Specialist
