June 9, 2010

In it’s Second Quarter Blue Shield of California Foundation allocated $6 million in grants to philanthropic organizations, with more than half of the money going to domestic violence services.

During the next two years $3.2 million of the grant money will be used to help fund the operating costs of domestic violence shelters and service providers.

“Domestic violence shelters are a lifeline for California families,” said Bess Bendet, director of Blue Shield Against Violence. “With a sharp increase in the number of families seeking help and so much uncertainty around funding for shelters, our core support is needed now more than ever.” She said.

The next largest piece of the grant money, $1.9 million, will go to the Clinic Leadership Institute (CLI). This is a program through the Center for the Health Professions at the University of California, San Francisco. The second class will graduate this June.

The foundation is also granting $330,000 to the Nonprofit Finance Fund, which will provide financial consulting to shelters. And $30,000 will go to Marin Abused Women’s Services to help faith-based organizations deal with domestic violence in their communities.

In addition $400,000 will go to the Small Business Majority, a group founded by small business owners to present unbiased information on issues that affect small businesses.