PHOENIX  – The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement   is awarding nearly $900,000 to 27 organizations addressing the Foundation’s key focus areas – mental health, substance use disorder, chronic health conditions, and health equity. The funding will support these organizations in their work to improve individual and community health across the state.     “We are happy to announce the recipients of our Discretionary Grant Cycle 1 and are excited to partner with these organizations as they actively tackle Arizona’s most pressing health challenges,” said Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs, Foundation President and Board Chair. “By joining forces, we can better meet evolving community needs, expand reach, and achieve bold goals.    The Foundation is awarding nearly $900,000 across the following organizations. To learn more about how each will use its grant funding to enhance its efforts, visit:  azbluefoundation.org/grants/grantees.     Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels (Statewide)  Be a Leader Foundation (Maricopa) Differently Abled Mothers Empowerment Society (Coconino, Maricopa, Pima) Easterseals Blake Foundation (Cochise, Graham, Pima, Yuma) Education Forward Arizona (La Paz, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma) El Rio Health Center Foundation (Pima) Everybody Matters (Coconino, Maricopa) Flagstaff Birth Support Fund (Coconino) Flagstaff Shelter Services (Coconino) HAVEN Family Resource Center (Mohave) Health Corps (Maricopa, Pima, Pinal)   Jacob’s Hope (Maricopa, Pinal)     The Joy Bus Diner (Maricopa) Justa Center (Maricopa) Kid in the Corner (Maricopa) Local First Arizona Foundation (Statewide) Mariposa Community Health Center (Santa Cruz) National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society (Statewide) Neighborhood Ministries (Maricopa) Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (Maricopa) Northern Arizona University Foundation (Coconino, Maricopa, Yavapai) Phoenix Public Library (Maricopa) Postpartum Support International–AZ Chapter (Statewide) Sister Jose Women’s Center (Pima) St. Vincent de Paul (Maricopa) The Haven (Pima ) UMOM New Day Centers, Inc. (Maricopa)     “At AZ Blue, it’s our mission to inspire health and make it easy, and these grant opportunities allow us to fulfill that and work alongside some amazing organizations across the state, said Dr. Cara Christ, Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. “As a health insurance company, we strive to not only do right by our members, but also the communities we serve.”    To learn more about The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement, visit:  www.azbluefoundation.org/   ABOUT THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY & HEALTH ADVANCEMENT      The Blue Cross ® Blue Shield ® of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement invests in the health of Arizona by tackling mental health, substance use disorder, chronic health conditions, and health equity. A 501(c)(3) private, non-operating foundation, the Foundation works in service of the public good through grant funding for programs and applied research that align with its focus areas. The Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.  For more information, visit: azbluefoundation.org.