Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation Healthy Habits for Life Grant Applications Now Open

TOPEKA, Kan. – Applications are now open for the Healthy Habits for Life grant program, giving schools across Kansas an opportunity to support student health. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation is offering up to $200,000 in grants to assist public and private schools in implementing programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices for K-12 students. These school-based programs must address at least one of four criteria: reducing cardiovascular risk, increasing physical activity, teaching healthy eating habits or reinforcing positive mental health among students.

Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2026. Grant recipients may use the funds for programs offered during the 2027 calendar year. School nurses, physical education, health and family and consumer science teachers, athletic directors, principals and other school administrators are encouraged to apply at cybergrants.com/bcbskansas/HHForLife. Additional program information and eligibility requirements are available at bcbsks.com/hhfl.

Since its creation in 2005, the Healthy Habits for Life grant program has awarded more than $2 million through more than 2,000 grants. School personnel have used past grant dollars to educate students on healthy portion sizes, begin a daily walking program for students before or after school, invest in equipment for physical education classes and much more.

"Healthy Habits for Life grants give schools the tools they need to help kids be active, eat well and take care of their minds. These grants are more than money. They're an investment in our future," said Marlou Wegener, chief operating officer of the BCBSKS Foundation. "By helping students build healthy habits now, we're preparing strong, confident leaders who can make Kansas a healthier place for everyone."

Healthy Habits for Life grants are available in the service area of the BCBSKS Foundation, which includes all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. The maximum grant amount is $2,000, and grants are limited to one per school, though multiple schools within a district may apply.

About the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation promotes the good health of Kansans who live in the Foundation’s 103-county service area. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, the largest health insurer in the state, incorporated the Foundation in 2005 as a way to further deepen its commitment to helping all Kansans lead healthier lives, an effort which both entities believe is an essential factor in keeping health care affordable. Through its giving, the Foundation focuses on key health issues that can impact the lives of many Kansans. It funds programs and activities that are, at their core, health-related and in particular, promote health improvement, community health access and/or education, healthy behaviors, prevention initiatives and direct health services to the uninsured. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Both entities serve all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information on the Foundation, visit bcbsks.com/foundation.