by Laine Himmelmann
Blue Shield volunteers at The Salvation Army San Francisco
Nearly all (93%) of Blue Shield of California’s employees participated in volunteering and giving programs in 2025, contributing more than 65,500 volunteer hours and $1.7 million in donations to more than 2,700 nonprofit organizations, with the company match.
“As a nonprofit health plan, our employees are powered by purpose,” said Amanda Lasik, senior manager of corporate citizenship at Blue Shield of California. “At Blue Shield, we don’t have shareholders; our employees show up every day for our members and communities. They’re here because they believe in Blue Shield’s mission and in standing for what’s right for our members, communities and planet.”
Blue Shield of California is a taxpaying, nonprofit health plan with more than 6,500 employees who serve over 6 million members. This marks the third consecutive year exceeding 90% employee participation in community engagement, a milestone that Lasik attributes to the embedded, mission-driven culture.
Blue Shield’s nonprofit mission
Blue Shield was named one of the top 50 most community-minded companies in the United States in 2025 by The Civic 50
Blue Shield of California is one of the state’s largest health plans and the only major health plan to voluntarily cap income at 2% of revenue, returning the rest to customers and California communities.
In 2025, Blue Shield of California Foundation, an independent nonprofit fully funded through Blue Shield, awarded 101 grants totaling nearly $20 million to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence. Blue Shield also invested $3 million in California nonprofits that are advancing youth mental health, environmental sustainability, food access and healthier communities.
BlueSky, Blue Shield’s youth mental health initiative that invests in best-in-class nonprofits and programs promoting emotional well-being for young people across California, has supported more than 25,000 youth and educators since 2019 through on-campus and online mental health services, educator training and youth-led advocacy.
To address climate impacts on health, Blue Shield is taking strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through our commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) — the most rigorous and clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, Blue Shield has invested in resources for youth facing climate anxiety, greener healthcare solutions like Virtual Blue, and thousands of hours of hands-on volunteer support for environmental nonprofits.
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan also recently stepped up to help Southern California families facing food insecurity, hosting Food Resource events to connect residents to critical resources in their communities, helping provide hundreds of thousands of meals for families in Los Angeles and San Diego counties through donations to Los Angeles and San Diego county food banks, and with employee volunteers rolling up their sleeves to help.
Empowering employees to get involved
Jane Nichol and colleagues, Santa Monica beach cleanup
“Our mission as a nonprofit health plan is to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality health care at an affordable price,” said Jane Nichol, manager of social impact at Blue Shield. “Community engagement not only helps us in that mission by driving impact for our neighbors, but it also deepens our understanding of the diverse needs of those we serve. These efforts ultimately make us better at what we do while fostering a healthier, more connected workforce.”
Blue Shield facilitated over 250 employee volunteer opportunities for employees in 2025, including walks to end Alzheimer’s, fundraising for therapy animal programs, moving for men’s health, beach cleanups that removed 500 pounds of trash from California shores, teaming up with the Salvation Army to support veterans and families, and sorting donations for Southern California wildfire recovery. Blue Shield also led a Day of Service engaging hundreds of employees in honor of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, as well as an advice-a-thon which delivered over 1,000 pieces of career advice to young adults, and a third annual fall food drive that collected approximately 3,283 lbs. of food.
“At Blue Shield, as employees and as a nonprofit health plan, we really want to be a force for good,” said Lasik. “As we look to the year ahead, we’re excited to keep the momentum going and keep putting our mission into action.”
Blue Shield has been recognized as one of the top 50 most community-minded companies in the nation for three consecutive years by The Civic 50.
Learn more about Blue Shield’s work to make health care more affordable here.
For more on Blue Shield’s Corporate Citizenship, visit citizenship.blueshieldca.com
