Horizon Foundation for New Jersey – Arts & Community Health Grant

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Grants Supporting Arts Organizations That Improve Community Health

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey’s Arts & Community Health Grant supports arts organizations using creative expression to improve community health, increase health literacy, encourage healthy behaviors, and connect New Jersey residents to health information, services, and resources.

This annual Request for Proposals recognizes the role that arts and culture can play in making health information more accessible, engaging, memorable, and actionable.

Organization: The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
Support Type: Arts and community health grants
Geographic Focus: New Jersey
Funding Amount: Not specified for the 2026 RFP
Application Window: June 1–September 15, 2026

About the Funder

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is the philanthropic arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The Foundation aims to improve the health of New Jersey communities by supporting nonprofit organizations that help residents make informed health decisions and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Through its grantmaking, the Foundation invests in programs that address health education, prevention, access, and broader community conditions that influence health outcomes.

What This Program Supports

The Arts & Community Health Grant supports arts organizations that use creative approaches to improve community health and wellbeing.

Funded programs may focus on:

Encouraging Healthy Behaviors

Projects that use the arts to encourage physical, oral, and mental health behaviors.

Examples may include arts-based programs that promote movement, stress reduction, preventive health practices, oral health awareness, or mental wellbeing.

Promoting Health Literacy

Programs that equip residents with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to understand, navigate, and act on health information.

This may include creative projects that make health topics easier to understand and more relevant to specific communities.

Connecting Communities to Health Services and Resources

Projects that help residents learn about and access available health services, community resources, and support systems.

This may include arts-based outreach, storytelling, performances, exhibitions, workshops, or community events that connect residents to trusted health information.

Delivering Memorable Health Information

Programs that use creative expression to deliver clear, relevant, and memorable health messages.

The Foundation is especially interested in efforts that make health information more engaging and actionable for community members.

Eligibility

Applicants must be organizations located in New Jersey with tax-exempt classification under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Eligible organizations must also:

Serve New Jersey communities
Align with the Foundation’s funding priorities
Be able to identify specific and measurable short- and long-term objectives
Demonstrate experience with the activities described in the proposal
Be able to report on the Foundation’s measurement requirements
Avoid duplicating work already supported by the Foundation in the same geographic area
Have a current and satisfactory financial audit conducted by a Certified Public Accountant
Agree to financial and narrative reporting requirements
Have a longstanding reputation for credibility and integrity

New Jersey universities and accredited colleges must submit applications through their institution’s foundation.

Organizations may submit one grant application per calendar year.

Ineligible Requests

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey does not fund:

Capital campaigns
Endowments
Equipment-only requests
Fundraising events
Galas, dinners, or golf outings
Hospitals or hospital foundations
Individuals
One-day events
Political causes, candidates, organizations, or campaigns
Re-granting programs
Renovations or new buildings
Treatment programs
Walks, runs, races, and similar events

The Foundation accepts applications from local chapters or affiliates of organizations with state or regional offices by invitation only.

Funding Amounts

The Foundation does not specify a 2026 grant range for the Arts & Community Health Request for Proposals on the grant deadline page. Applicants should review the full RFP when it becomes available for award size, budget requirements, and any additional restrictions.

Application Timeline

The Arts & Community Health annual Request for Proposals will be available:

Opens: June 1, 2026
Closes: September 15, 2026

Applicants should confirm dates and requirements on the Foundation’s website before applying, as deadlines may be subject to change.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey’s online grant portal once the Arts & Community Health RFP becomes available. Applicants should ensure the proposed program clearly demonstrates how arts-based strategies will improve community health, increase health literacy, encourage healthy behaviors, or connect residents to health services and resources.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.horizonblue.com/foundation/grant-application-deadlines-information

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for New Jersey arts organizations and cultural nonprofits that are using creative expression to advance health education, prevention, awareness, and community wellbeing.

Organizations with experience delivering community-based arts programming, health-focused storytelling, creative health education, participatory arts, or culturally relevant public engagement may be especially well aligned.

The Arts & Community Health Grant is best suited for organizations that can show how the arts can make health information more accessible, meaningful, and actionable for New Jersey residents.

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Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Annual Request for Proposals
Application Window: June 1–September 15, 2026
Funding Range: Not specified for 2026
Best Suited For: New Jersey arts organizations using creative expression to improve health literacy, encourage healthy behaviors, and connect communities to health resources
Key Limitation: This opportunity is specifically focused on arts-based approaches to community health.