NC Partnership for Children Recognized for Its Continued Commitment to Improving the Health of Children in North Carolina
BCBSNC Foundation Reinvests $100,000 into the Organization
The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC), the organization that oversees Smart Start, recently received a $100,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation. NCPC is a past BCBSNC Foundation grantee that has shown significant program results. It will use this new investment to continue its work of ensuring young children have everything they need for healthy growth and development.
“Our children need to be immersed in positive environments that teach them the importance of nutrition and physical activity,” said Stephanie Fanjul, president of NCPC. “The BCBSNC Foundation’s support allows us to further our impact educating young children and their families about personal health and fitness. Without their support, we could not do what we do today.”
Through the grant, NCPC will build a leadership cadre of Smart Start directors who will develop best practices for Smart Start partnerships that will enhance organizational excellence.
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the BCBSNC Foundation is investing a total of $1 million in 10 nonprofit organizations across North Carolina. Each organization, former BCBSNC Foundation grantees, received $100,000 to continue efforts that positively impact the health of their local residents.
“After 10 successful years, we see local organizations are thriving and health outcomes are improving across the state,” said Kathy Higgins, president of the BCBSNC Foundation. “For 17 years, the North Carolina Partnership for Children has been a leader in caring for and preparing our children for success. They share in our commitment to making a real impact in local communities.
Initiatives implemented by NCPC have resulted in more than 90 percent of 128 child care centers achieving improvements in at least one area related to physical activity and/or nutrition. And, because of strong outcomes from NAP-SACC as well as other Smart Start initiatives, NCPC is the lead partner in Shape NC – the Foundation’s recent three year, $3 million investment aimed at preventing childhood obesity.
In addition to the North Carolina Partnership for Children, the nine other nonprofit organizations receiving grants as part of the 10th anniversary include:
- Access East, Greenville
- Be Active North Carolina: Be Active Kids®, Morrisville
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University: MATCH program
- Communities in Schools of Moore County
- Diabetes Management Solutions: Diabetes Bus, Raleigh
- Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Raleigh
- North Carolina Association of Free Clinics, Winston-Salem
- Student Action with Farmworkers, Durham
About BCBSNC Foundation:
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is a separate, independent nonprofit foundation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of North Carolinians. BCBSNC Foundation focus areas include: Health of Vulnerable Populations – improving health outcomes of populations served by safety-net organizations; Healthy Active Communities – increasing physical activity and encouraging healthy eating habits; and Community Impact through Nonprofit Excellence – increasing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2000, BCBSNC Foundation has invested more than $67 million into North Carolina communities. More information is available at www.bcbsncfoundation.org.
