South Fla. – [Sept. 24, 2025] - The Florida Blue Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue and part of the GuideWell family of companies, is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Sapphire Awards.  The awards will recognize and celebrate outstanding programs, organizations, and individuals who have made a significant impact in improving the health and well-being of people and communities through the power of connection.

The Florida Blue Foundation is seeking nominees who have nurtured meaningful human connections and developed collaborative relationships that created and maintained stronger and more engaged communities.

Through a competitive review process, the Sapphire Awards will honor those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and collaboration in building stronger, more engage communities, and whose work serves as a model for others to follow.

Nominations are due by Tuesday, October 7, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). For more information about the Sapphire Awards nomination process, please watch this educational webinar and visit www.floridabluefoundation.com.  To read the 2026 Sapphire Awards guidelines, click here.

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, 157 Sapphire Awards, totaling $8 million, have been awarded across Florida. The Sapphire Awards program and dinner will be held on April 16, 2026, at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld hotel.  The theme will be: The Power of Connection – Nurturing meaningful human connections and developing collaborative relationships are key to creating and maintaining stronger and more engaged communities.

To learn more about the Florida Blue Foundation's impact across the state, read GuideWell's latest impact report.