Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the deadline for submissions?
A. Applications are due Monday, August 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Central Time. Partial applications cannot be accepted by our system; please ensure that you have reviewed and submitted your full proposal by the deadline.

Q. Are organizations required to have Blue Cross health plan coverage?
A. This funding is open to all organizations regardless of their health plan coverage. For more information on eligibility requirements, please see the RFP.

Q. Can a unit of local government and/or for-profit entity apply for funding?
A. These entities are eligible to be a subcontractor but are not eligible to apply for funding.

Q. Would my Tribal Nation, organization, or group be a good fit for this opportunity?
A. Yes, the Center for Prevention supports approaches that use PSE changes (see glossary of terms in RFP) and acknowledge that culture is prevention. PSE changes that are developed and led by communities deliver the most effective solutions to countering the tobacco industry’s influence. Communities create their environments that are free from the harms of commercial tobacco, supporting community members to make healthy choices.

Q. If my organization receives Commercial Tobacco Equity funding, are we still eligible to apply for other Center for Prevention initiatives?
A. Yes, you may apply for other initiatives offered by the Center for Prevention.

Q. Are previous recipients of Center for Prevention funding eligible for funding from this initiative?  
A. Yes, the RFP is open and all are encouraged to apply.

Q. We currently have funding from another Blue Cross area, such as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation. Can we still apply?
A. Yes, the RFP is open and all are encouraged to apply.

Q. If the nonprofit wants to develop a pilot program with this population, is that an eligible program?
A. Please see page 4 of the RFP under Application Guidelines. Applicants may consider a planning period as part of their proposed project. The main thing to consider is that there are specific PSE changes (A-D) we will fund that are listed on pages 2-3. To be eligible, a pilot project should address one or a combination of these PSE changes. So yes, a pilot project will be eligible as long as it addresses the PSE change(s).

Q. What is PSE change (Policy, Systems, Environmental change)?
A. The health of a community can be shaped by social norms (how we act), the physical landscape (the things around us), availability of resources (our access to things like quality education, employment, heathy foods), and the economic vitality of neighborhoods. Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change focuses on making healthy choices more accessible and available in the communities in which we live, work, and play. PSE change can include:

• Policy change: This can be formal, such as a city policy prohibiting the sale of menthol and other flavored commercial tobacco, a Tribal Nation adopting a commercial tobacco-free grounds policy; or informal, such as an organizational policy to provide commercial tobacco treatment to their clients. 
• System change: This involves adapting and changing the rules and norms within systems to encourage healthier choices. This change takes time, and it is a continual process designed to meet the needs of those impacted by these systems. An example is integrating the use of NRTs when providing commercial tobacco treatment in a behavioral health system and training all staff in motivational interviewing.  
• Environmental change: These are changes to the physical, economic, or social environment. Environmental changes increase opportunities for healthy behavior within a community. Examples include community gardens where traditional tobacco is grown; culturally specific signage and messages that are visible where community members live, work and gather. 

Q. What’s the maximum funding amount an organization can receive?
A. Applicants may apply for up to $150,000 per year. Renewal of funding is dependent on demonstrated progress toward goals in the previous year. The maximum period of funding for a selected applicant is up to three years (January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026).

Q. How about if the organization requests a smaller amount of $50,000, will they get it for three years?
A. Yes, applicants can propose projects that require less than the maximum annual funding amount and/or require fewer than three years to complete.

Q. When will funding notifications be sent?
A. We expect to notify all applicants whether or not they receive funding, by October 6, 2023.

There will be a contracting period to confirm scope of work, reporting and evaluation criteria, and final award amount. Contracts will be in place by January 1, 2024.  

Q. I am unable to access the Appendices and other documents in the application portal.
A. All of the documents are also available at http://www.centerforpreventionmn.com/our-approach/available-funding/

Q. What contact information should we include if we are using a fiscal agent?
A. Within the contact information section, please include your group’s or organization’s information as the project’s primary contact and include the fiscal agent’s information as the organizational contact (including the fiscal agent’s tax ID number).

Q. How can I participate in the webinar?
A. The webinar is scheduled for June 22, 2023, at 3:00pm Central Time. To access the webinar, visit https://bluecrossmn.zoom.us/j/92788174226