Volunteers, board members, donors and members of the public can now apply for Saskatchewan Blue Cross funding under a new anniversary grant program, with applications open until April 30.
Saskatchewan Blue Cross has launched “80 Years, 80 Grants,” a one-time initiative that will distribute $80,000 through 80 grants valued at $1,000 each.
The program is open to Saskatchewan community organizations aligned with the insurer’s Community Investment pillars: Health Literacy, community wellness and inclusion.
Applications are being accepted for projects scheduled to take place in 2026 and must be submitted through an online application form on the Saskatchewan Blue Cross website. Submissions can be made by community members, including volunteers, board members, donors and members of the public, while organizations may also apply directly.
Saskatchewan Blue Cross said submissions will be evaluated on clarity of need, eligibility guidelines, alignment with community wellness, and the impact funding would have on the organization and the people it serves. Grant recipients may be notified during the intake period, with grants distributed in 2026 as part of Saskatchewan Blue Cross’ 80th anniversary activities.
“Turning 80 is a major milestone for us, and we wanted to celebrate in a way that reflects who we are,” said Kelly Wilson, president and CEO of Saskatchewan Blue Cross. “Since 1946, our mission has been grounded in supporting the well-being of Saskatchewan people. This initiative is our way of saying thank you to the organizations that lift our communities every day.”
The grant program builds on Saskatchewan Blue Cross’ recent community investment activity. In 2025, the organization released its Health Literacy Report and identified four populations requiring health literacy support: youth and educators, Indigenous communities, newcomers and new Canadians, and the actively aging.
Among supported initiatives, Saskatchewan Blue Cross provided funding for the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan to train 19 individuals across nine communities in Mental Health First Aid certification through a week-long program designed for First Nations individuals and families.
The insurer also entered a four-year agreement extending from 2025 to 2029 with the Indspire Scholarship Program supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis students pursuing social work degrees in Saskatchewan.
Support for newcomer settlement services included funding for the Regina and Saskatoon Open Door Societies’ Empowering Newcomers Program, which served 86 clients through weekly sessions for adults aged 55 and older and offered health information and interpretation in languages including Dari, Somali, Amharic and Arabic. Global Gathering Place’s PATH program provided 1,250 hours of support to 315 refugees through Cultural Health Navigators in 2025.
Other contributions in 2025 included $50,000 to St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation’s By Your Side Kidney Care Campaign and $50,000 to the Regina Urgent Care Centre, which provided care to more than 20,000 patients in its first six months of operation. Saskatchewan Blue Cross said it has invested $225,000 in rural hospital foundations since 2020.
“We believe every person in Saskatchewan deserves opportunities to thrive,” Wilson said. “These grants help shine a light on the creativity, care and compassion that exist across our province. We can't wait to see the stories that come forward.”
