A new funding initiative to support communities working to eliminate tobacco inequities has been announced by the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
While the overall smoking rate in Minnesota has decreased dramatically, particularly in recent years, there are populations that still experience high levels of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, and who continue to be targeted through marketing efforts of the tobacco industry.
The goal of this funding is to reduce tobacco use in these populations by supporting community-driven, culturally specific efforts that will raise awareness and/or influence organizational policy and local public policy. Tobacco refers specifically to the use of manufactured, commercial tobacco products, and not to the sacred, medicinal and traditional use of tobacco by American Indians and other groups.
This is a two-part RFP. Part one is to solicit proposals from any interested and eligible organizations. The deadline for part one is May 6, 2015, at 3:00 pm CDT. Blue Cross will then select organizations it would like to continue through the selection process. For these organizations, Blue Cross will require additional application information.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) can be found at http://www.centerforpreventionmn.com/our-approach/how-we-work/funding-initiatives/available-funding. Review the details and submit an application if you intend to work within one of the specified focus areas and are from an eligible geographic area.
Blue Cross is also hosting an applicant webinar on Wednesday, April 8 at 10:00 am CDT. Details for this webinar can be found at the above link.
If you have any questions, please submit them to prevention.funding@bluecrossmn.com.