Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Invests in Community
Health Equity Across Upstate New York

 

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has announced the recipients of its 2026 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 awards recognize organizations that are driving meaningful progress through innovative, community‑centered solutions designed to meet the unique needs of the people they serve.

This year, twenty-six nonprofit organizations across the Rochester, Central New York/Southern Tier, and Utica/North Country regions were selected from a competitive pool of nearly 300 applicants. The funded proposals were chosen based on their strong potential for measurable impact, sustainability, and alignment with a shared commitment to building healthier, more equitable communities.

Funding priorities in each region were informed by localized community needs assessments, which helped identify the most urgent health challenges and disparities affecting residents. Across upstate New York, community organizations continue to report increasing demand for essential services, driven by rising costs, limited access to care, and persistent inequities that affect where people live, work, and age.

“The need in our communities is growing, and meaningful progress requires solutions that are grounded in local experience and trust,” said Tony Vitagliano, senior vice president of provider network engagement and Utica regional president for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “As your local, nonprofit health plan, we’re investing in organizations that understand their communities best and are creating real, lasting change that helps people live healthier lives.”

The 2026 Health Equity Innovation Awards will support 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

These awards reflect Excellus BCBS’s ongoing commitment to advancing community health by investing in programs that promote equity, expand access to care, and strengthen the organizations working on the front lines of community wellbeing.

Award recipients from the Utica Region and their funded programs are outlined below.

Central New York Health Home Network
Connects children and families to healthcare and social services by working directly with schools, making support easier to reach.

Hospice & Palliative Care
Provides emotional support and counseling for older adults through individual and group sessions offered in the community.

St. Lawrence Health Foundation
Supports pregnant and new parents who are affected by substance use with services that focus on recovery, safety, and long-term stability.

Upstate Caring Partners
Offers 24/7 crisis support in a safe, home like setting for people experiencing mental health emergencies, providing an alternative to the emergency room.