March 26, 2025

Nine programs, organizations, and individuals have been named as Finalists in the 2025 Florida Blue Foundation Sapphire Awards competition. Winners will be announced at the Sapphire Awards Dinner and Program on the evening of May 1. Join us!

The 2025 Finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Program Category

• Alzheimer's Community Care - Family Navigators for Families and Caregivers; West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County
• Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center -- Fund-A-Child Program; Jacksonville, Duval County
• Tomorrow's Rainbow -- Coping Academy; Coconut Creek, Broward County

Organization Category

• All Faith's Food Bank; Sarasota, Sarasota County
• Family Promise of Brevard; Rockledge, Brevard County
• Tampa Family Health Centers; Tampa, Hillsborough County

Individual Category

• Cliff Barsi, Metropolitan Ministries; Tampa, Hillsborough County
• Lisa Early, City of Orlando; Orlando, Orange County
• Cindy Funkhouser, Sulzbacher; Jacksonville, Duval County

The Sapphire Awards were designed in 2005 by Florida Blue Foundation to recognize excellence and innovation in community health leadership and programs in Florida. Since then, 148 Sapphire Awards, totaling more than $7.5 million, have been awarded. Through a competitive external review process, the 2025 Sapphire Awards will honor outstanding programs, organizations, and individuals whose services are distinguished by exemplary leadership, innovation, and documented impacts in improving health in local communities.

We look forward to sharing their stories with you at the Sapphire Awards presentation on May 1 and in future communications. Learn more!

The 2025 event will feature groundbreaking initiatives, innovative solutions, and technology-enabled interventions that are transforming how we address health disparities and improve health outcomes. And, we'll celebrate the Foundation's 25 years of community investments and 20 years of presenting the Sapphire Awards. Join us!

If you have not made your reservation at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld for the 2025 Community Health Symposium and Sapphire Awards, you have until April 8 to take advantage of the discounted room rate. Discounted room rates often sell out before the deadline, so don't wait to make your reservation. Once you've completed your event registration, you'll receive a confirmation that includes a link to take advantage of the discounted room rate. Send questions to the event planning team.

Click on the links to learn more about the following items:

2025 Community Health Symposium and Sapphire Awards

• Register today!
• April 8 -- Hotel group room rate ends at Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
• May 1-2 -- Event dates
• May 1 -- Bring a food item for the Volunteer Food Drive to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

2025 Mental Well-being Grant Application

• May 5 -- Deadline to submit application -- 3:00 p.m.

2025 Food Security Grant Application

• Continue to monitor your email and the Foundation's website for information

All times listed are Eastern time zone.

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FLORIDA BLUE FOUNDATION MISSION

Help people and communities achieve better health.

(800) 477-3736, ext. 63215

www.floridabluefoundation.com

Email: floridabluefoundation@floridablue.com

Florida Blue Foundation is a trade name of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 

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