Horizon Foundation for New Jersey – Connecting Project Support Grant

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Grants Addressing Social Determinants of Health for New Jersey Communities

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey’s Connecting Project Support Grant supports nonprofit programs that address social determinants of health and improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of New Jersey residents. This funding opportunity focuses on practical barriers that affect community health, including food security, health care access, and transportation.

Organization: The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
Support Type: Project support grants
Geographic Focus: New Jersey
Funding Amount: $10,000–$50,000
Next Deadline: 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 Connecting grant program supports initiatives that address social determinants of health and help improve quality of life for New Jersey residents.

Priority areas include:

Food Security

Programs that increase access to healthy foods, provide nutrition education, and address food deserts.

Examples may include efforts that:

Expand access to nutritious food
Support community-based food distribution
Provide nutrition education
Address barriers to healthy eating in underserved communities

Health Care Access

Programs that address gaps in care for uninsured individuals by expanding access to primary care, oral health, and other health services.

Examples may include efforts that:

Improve access to primary care
Expand oral health services
Connect uninsured residents to health resources
Reduce barriers to preventive and community-based care

Transportation

Programs that provide transportation support for individuals to access medical and dental appointments, health care services, and healthy food.

Examples may include efforts that:

Help residents reach health care appointments
Support transportation to dental care
Improve access to healthy food through transportation assistance
Reduce transportation-related barriers to health and wellbeing

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

Connecting Project Support grants range from $10,000 to $50,000.

2026 Application Deadlines

Funding decisions are made three times annually by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey’s Board of Directors.

The 2026 deadlines are:

February 5, 2026 for consideration on April 21
May 7, 2026 for consideration on July 21
September 15, 2026 for consideration on December 2

Dates are subject to change, so applicants should confirm deadlines on the Foundation’s website before applying.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey’s online grant portal. Applicants should select the Connecting Project Support application and ensure the proposed program clearly addresses social determinants of health, such as food security, health care access, or transportation.

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 nonprofits working to remove everyday barriers that affect health and quality of life. Organizations focused on food access, nutrition education, health care access for uninsured residents, oral health, transportation assistance, or community-based health navigation may be especially well aligned.

The Connecting grant is best suited for organizations that can demonstrate measurable impact, serve New Jersey residents directly, and show how their programs address upstream factors that influence health outcomes.

New to Corporate Grant Fundraising?

Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Board review three times annually
Typical Deadline Cycle: February, May, and September
Funding Range: $10,000–$50,000
Best Suited For: New Jersey nonprofits addressing food security, nutrition education, health care access, oral health, transportation, and social determinants of health
Key Limitation: Organizations may submit only one grant application per calendar year