Who we are
Alberta Blue Cross® is the largest provider of health benefits in Alberta. We’re proud to build on a 77-year legacy that reaches more than 1.8 million customers. Since our doors first opened in 1948, we’ve championed our communities by supporting the health and wellness of Albertans. As we continue to grow, we continue to impact people’s lives for the better.
Download the Community Accountability report PDFIntroduction
As Alberta’s leading benefits provider, we at Alberta Blue Cross have embraced a broader purpose as a champion for wellbeing. Nowhere is this purpose more evident than through our commitment to the communities we serve. As Alberta grew in 2024, both in terms of provincial population and economy, our role and presence in the communities we serve also grew at an unprecedented rate.
We recognize that we can accomplish more through collaboration. That’s why we work with dozens of community partners across Alberta to promote active living among children and youth, fostering mental wellbeing, advancing women’s health, supporting seniors’ wellness, championing tobacco reduction and injury prevention and promoting wellbeing among Indigenous communities. In 2024, we worked with more than 100 diverse organizations across Alberta through partnerships and sponsorships to help Albertans live their best lives.
At the same time, we work directly to positively impact the lives of Albertans through programs, including the very popular Alberta Blue Cross Built Together grant program, our Community Wellbeing grant program and our long-standing scholarship programs. As a testament to the increasing popularity of these programs, the number of applications we received for our programs in 2024 reached a level we have never seen before.
Community involvement is not only a corporate commitment for Alberta Blue Cross, but it is one of our shared values that our employees live day in and day out. Through 2024, many of our team members selflessly gave their time, talents and resources as we supported a wide range of charitable organizations through our giving campaigns. Our employee-led Hearts of Blue Charity made a record 66 donations to grassroots organizations across the province.
At Alberta Blue Cross, we recognize that the positive impact we make on our communities is not only a win for Albertans but has a positive return on investment for our organization through increased trust, goodwill and social license with our stakeholders. As a purpose-driven organization, we are committed to continuing to build upon this commitment for the good of our customers and communities.
As Alberta continues to grow, so too does our commitment to our communities.
Brian Geislinger
Senior vice-president, corporate relations and community engagement
Growing through action
Our community programs nurture positive change across Alberta. From accessible spaces to celebrating wellness champions, we support initiatives that help communities thrive. Together with our partners, we support environments where everyone can live well and flourish.
Built Together program: Building spaces that bring communities together
In 2024, we received 115 applications, the highest number since 2015. We also received 12 applications from Indigenous communities, more than double the number from 2023. This year’s selection process was a bit different from recent years too. Our Community Impact team was joined by 10 Alberta Blue Cross employees on the panel. Since its introduction in 2013, the Built Together program has supported more than 50 community infrastructure projects with a total funding of more than $2.65 million.
Community Wellbeing grant program: Empowering organizations that drive positive change
Launched in 2023 to celebrate our legacy of giving back to the communities, the Community Wellbeing grant program has grown from a one-time initiative into a lasting commitment to support Alberta-based organizations that promote community health and wellbeing. In 2024, we received an overwhelming number of deserving applications, more than 650 of them. As a result, we expanded the program from 30 to 50 grants of $1,000 each—a change that we’re committed to continue in the coming years.
Faces of Wellness: Celebrating everyday heroes who inspire wellbeing
Since 2021, our Faces of Wellness program has been celebrating Albertans who champion wellness in their communities. This year, the grand prize recipient was Zachary Weeks. Born with cerebral palsy, Zachary has become a powerful voice for accessibility and disability rights. From consulting on major projects to earning the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, Zachary redefines wellness through his joy for life, love of family and friends, and passion for public speaking and gaming.
Playgrounds give children a safe place to develop physical abilities, social skills and have fun. Downtown is in desperate need of clean, positive, safe places that are vibrant. Without Alberta Blue Cross our intended project would not be possible. Thank you for supporting our community and our school.
Amber Michielsen, president of Parents Actively Creating Educational Experiences Society (PACEES)
Growing through collaboration
Strong partnerships deepen our roots in communities. By joining forces with organizations that share our vision, we enhance health initiatives, strengthen support networks and create lasting impact. Together, we’re cultivating wellness solutions that reach every corner of our province.
Advancing women’s health initiatives
We’re committed to providing resources, education and services that empower women to take control of their health. In 2024, more than 3,000 individuals benefited from Between Us: Mind and Body Talks, expert-led virtual sessions in partnership with the Lois Hole Hospital Women’s Society. Our support of YW Calgary’s Whisper Gala has helped the organization assist more than 7,800 women and their families transition from crisis to stability in 2024.
Nurturing active youth
In 2024, more than 300 schools, including 29 Indigenous schools, with 16,000 students committed to participate in the Youth Run Club that was facilitated by Ever Active Schools. Our ongoing sponsorship of the Alberta Summer and Winter Games and Alberta Indigenous Youth Games is key to supporting active living among the youth in the province. Our partnerships extend across the province, including Alberta Medical Association’s Youth Run Club, Sport Calgary and Free Play for Kids in Edmonton.
Strengthening mental wellbeing
In 2024, we awarded $1,000 grants to 50 organizations across Alberta, supporting their work in mental and physical wellbeing. Working with the Calgary Counselling Centre, we were able to support a free online depression screening tool for National Depression Screening Day. More than 3,200 Albertans participated in the 2024 edition of the event in October. We’ve also sponsored the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Working Stronger Conference and YMCA’s YMind, a free mental wellness program in Wood Buffalo.
Reducing tobacco use
As a member of the Campaign for a Smoke-Free Alberta, we support initiatives like the Alberta Lung Association’s Breathe Smart program, educating students about the dangers of smoking and vaping. Almost 6,000 students and teachers took part in over 119 sessions. We also proudly sponsor the Keep Tobacco Sacred Collaboration, which honours the traditional role of tobacco in Indigenous cultures while raising awareness of commercial tobacco risks.
Enhancing wellness for seniors
In 2024, we joined the Kerby Centre to celebrate Active Aging Week, sponsored the Top 7 Over 70 Awards in Medicine Hat and supported the Alberta Caregivers’ Association Conference. We distributed over 33,000 Keeping Well booklets as part of our partnership with the Alberta Injury Prevention Centre to sponsor Fall Prevention Month, addressing one of the leading causes of injury among seniors. This year, we also supported Canada’s first Dementia Inclusive Park in Calgary through our Built Together grant program.
Walking with Indigenous communities
In 2024, our Built Together grants helped fund projects in Indigenous communities, supporting accessible and inclusive spaces that promote wellbeing. We’re also proud sponsors of the Alberta Indigenous Youth Games and Alberta Indigenous Mature Games, fostering sport and cultural connection. More than 1,500 athletes participated in the Alberta Indigenous Mature Games, while over 5,000 competed in the Youth Games across 16 competitive sporting disciplines. Recognizing the importance of health equity, we’ve continued to support initiatives by Fresh Routes Calgary, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, Red Road Healing Society and the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association.
The accomplishments of these individuals are truly inspirational. They are making a difference in our community every day and contributing to our economic and social fabric in a myriad of ways.
Monica Zurowski, chair, Top 7 Over 70
Growing future leaders
Education plants the seeds for healthier communities. Through our scholarship programs, we help remove financial barriers to post-secondary education, nurturing tomorrow’s leaders. We’re especially proud to support Indigenous students in their academic journeys, nurturing diversity in the future.
Scholarship program
Since 1998, Alberta Blue Cross has supported young Albertans pursuing post-secondary studies through our scholarship program. Each year, we provide more than 80 scholarships for students at every accredited post-secondary institution across the province. Over the life of this program, we have awarded more than 1,500 scholarships with a value of well over $2 million through our community foundation.
Indigenous scholarship program
One of the fundamental principles of our Indigenous Pathway is “nothing about us without us”. Keeping that in mind, in 2024, we restructured our Indigenous Scholarship Program selection committee to add Indigenous perspectives. In 2024, we had exceptionally high interest in the program with a record 73 applications, including 21 youth applications. This was only possible because of the increased collaboration with our Indigenous community partners, who promoted the program on our behalf.
Meet an Indigenous scholarship recipient: Jordan Chayer
At just 19 years old, Jordan Chayer is already making a significant impact in the community. Jordan is currently enrolled in the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program at the University of Alberta. From organizing fundraising events to supporting local families to personally donating time and resources to the unhoused in Edmonton, Jordan is committed to helping those in need. With a strong academic drive, Jordan is working towards achieving first-class standing in studies.
The financial aid from this scholarship would serve as a crucial means to ensure that I can fully engage in my academic pursuits without being burdened by financial constraints.
Jordan Chayer, 2024 Alberta Blue Cross Indigenous Scholarship Program recipient
Growing sustainably
Our commitment to community wellbeing includes taking real action for the environment. Through measurable actions and sustainable practices, we’re helping create a healthier planet for future generations.
Social impact: Supporting the wellbeing of Albertans
We assess the engagement of our work force through our annual team member survey. Employee experience is at the heart of our research work too. Our latest report, “Creating a high performing work force: The importance of a wellbeing strategy”, had a clear message: Businesses thrive when they commit to wellbeing, regardless of company size. We invest significantly in health equity, education, and reducing inequalities, with 100% of community funding aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals. At least 15% of our Community Impact budget supports Indigenous reconciliation and inclusion.
Environment: Protecting our shared tomorrow
We look inward, holding ourselves accountable to reduce our resource consumption and overall environmental footprint. We report our environmental initiatives and progress annually. We measure our natural gas, electricity and water consumption alongside our mileage and air travel with the intent of monitoring our outputs and identifying efficiencies.
Governance: Earning trust through transparency
We are committed to best practices in governance, including tracking of key privacy metrics to proactively manage and reduce incidents. With ethics as a key principle of effective governance, we assess adherence to our Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct annually. The code includes considerations such as conflict of interest, ethics, accountability and transparency, besides ethical investment practices related to our reserve fund.
Growing through our people
Our employees bring our community commitment to life. Through matching programs and employee-driven initiatives, we amplify their passion for positive change. Together, we’re creating deeper connections in the communities where we live and serve.
Employee giving: Supporting what matters most to our people
Our employees are at the heart of community impact. Through our annual employee giving campaign, we match up to $100 of their donations through our community foundation to causes they care about. In 2024, our employees made 235 donations, raising a total of $65,218.88, a 56 per cent increase over the prior year’s campaign.
Care for a Cause: Meaningful impact together
Since 1993—and regularly since 1999—we have supported a local charity on a monthly basis, with our foundation matching their donations. In 2024, Care for a Cause raised a total of $21,585.10 for 10 charities. When wildfires swept through Jasper National Park, we chose the Canadian Red Cross, our team members donating more than $5,000. Later that summer, our foundation contributed $50,000 and sponsored a benefit concert with proceeds going to the Jasper Fire Caring Community Fund
Partners for Life: Saving lives, one donation at a time
As a long-standing champion of the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program, our employees collectively donated blood 138 times through 2024—recognizing that a single donation can save up to three lives.
Hearts of Blue: A strong foundation for lasting community support
Real change happens when support is consistent. Our employee-led charity, Hearts of Blue, made a record 66 donations in 2024 across Alberta, totalling $85,957.24. This included donating $30,000 to 10 emergency shelters during the holiday season. It was also a big year for our Hearts of Blue’s Days of Giving, with multiple group volunteering opportunities for our team members.
Want to learn more?
Engaging in the communities we serve to support all Albertans in living their best lives is a fundamental aspect of how we live our commitment to our social purpose. Download the full 2024 Community Accountability report to read more.
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