JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Florida Blue Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2016 Sapphire Awards through September 18, 2015. The Sapphire Awards, given annually by the Florida Blue Foundation since 2005, recognize excellence and innovation in nonprofit community health leadership and programming in Florida. Three categories of awards are available: program, organization and individual.

Sapphire Awards honorees must demonstrate leadership, success and high merit while improving health-related outcomes or access to health-related services for Florida's at-risk populations and communities.

"We need community members to help identify the best of the best in nonprofit health care," said Velma Monteiro-Tribble, Florida Blue Foundation director of grants and programs. "Nominations from the community make it possible for award-winning strategies to gain the recognition and support they deserve."

A total of approximately $360,000 will be shared among the honorees (organization, program and individual categories) to continue the recognized initiatives.

Applications and eligibility requirements are available online at the Foundation's website. The deadline to apply is September 18, 2015.

The Sapphire Awards are the premier honor given annually by the Florida Blue Foundation. Sapphire Awards honorees are an elite group first nominated through a community call for applications, and then chosen by an independent panel of national experts in nonprofit health and health care policy. The 2016 Sapphire Awards will be presented at the Sapphire Symposium and Awards on April 20-21, 2016, at Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, Fla.

Florida Blue Foundation is Florida's only statewide health care philanthropy dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people of Florida and their communities. It is a separate, philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company. The Foundation and its parent are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.floridabluefoundation.com.

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SOURCE Florida Blue Foundation