September marks the month when Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota launches its annual Community Giving Campaign. The month-long fundraiser, which allows associates to donate to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit of their choice, embodies the company mission of paving the way for everyone to achieve their healthiest life.

In addition to allowing associates to support a range of causes, the campaign highlights seven non-profits that closely align with Blue Cross’ racial and health equity goals. Associate donations to one of these featured organizations receive a 100% match from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation.

Over the last five years, the Community Giving Campaign has raised an average of $1 million annually, benefiting nearly 600 local non-profit organizations each year.

Empowering associates to make a positive social impact is a large part of Blue Cross culture, referred to as “Life at Blue.” That empowerment starts literally from Day One, when newly hired associates receive the company’s annual community impact report. This year’s new hires learn that in 2022, Blue Cross donated $16.5 million to charitable organizations, with 99% of those donations remaining in Minnesota. Additionally, associates donated a total of 14,000 hours in volunteer paid time-off for the year.

Julie Pfieffer, a human resources vice president at Blue Cross, is serving as an executive co-chair of this year’s campaign. She says her drive to give back stems from her upbringing. “Having been raised in a small farming community in southern Minnesota, from a very young age, I was taught the importance of supporting your community,” Pfieffer says. “At times, that support came to life through giving to those in greater need or through helping a neighboring farmer or business when challenges came their way.”

Additionally, Pfieffer says participating in the campaign strengthens her connection to Blue Cross and the causes that matter to her. “Our Community Giving Campaign has continued to broaden my awareness of the significant and ongoing need within our communities and speaks to the values I hold near to my heart,” Pfieffer says. “The campaign’s impact and reach are part of why I am so proud to work for Blue Cross.”

It’s clear many Blue Cross associates share the same sentiment as Pfieffer, with last year’s campaign reaching an 80% participation rate across the company.

2023 Featured Nonprofits

The following nonprofits were selected by Blue Cross and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation for their alignment with company racial and health equity goals:

• Access North
  Serving ten counties in northern Minnesota, Access North supports clients with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. Their five core services include: independent living skills training, information and referral, advocacy, peer mentoring/group support, and transition to community.
• Everyday Miracles
  Founded in 2003, Everyday Miracles offers expectant families a variety of services, including culturally competent birth doulas, prenatal and breastfeeding education classes, yoga, and a car seat program.
• Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
  Located in and focused on Saint Paul’s Summit-University neighborhood, the center operates a wide range of synergistic programs, including early childhood education, youth enrichment, basic needs, senior programming, multiservice center administration, and historical archives.
• Hmong American Farmers Association
  A non-profit dedicated to advancing the prosperity of Hmong American farmers and their families through economic development, capacity building, and development of cooperatives, advocacy, and research to spur intergenerational and community wealth.
• Native American Community Clinic
  In addition to providing medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare services, the clinic offers a range of social and community health programs, including medical transportation, housing referrals, diabetes education, and nutrition counseling. NACC also strives to honor health and tradition through spiritual care and access to traditional healing.
• RECLAIM
  The organization serves youths ages 12-25 and their families through financially accessible mental health support. RECLAIM specializes in supporting youth with gender identity and sexual orientation exploration, as well as other mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.
• Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
  Since it was established in 1985, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has revitalized neighborhoods and communities by helping more than 1,500 families achieve affordable homeownership.

*Editor's Note: the image above features Blue Cross associates volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.