BCBSM Foundation Inc
BCBSM Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the foundation has been tax-exempt since May 1988. The organization is classified as a 501(c)(3) entity and operates as a company-sponsored foundation dedicated to improving community health outcomes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$79.0M
+2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.6M
-4.8% YoY
Grant Count
51
-8.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$90K
+4.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, BCBSM Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to build strong community partnerships to advance racial and health equity. The organization focuses on building healthy generations so families, young people, and seniors can achieve their healthiest life.
The foundation supports programs designed to improve community conditions that have an impact on the health of children and families, with special emphasis directed toward:
- Equitable systems
- Social connections
- Stable lives
- Vibrant communities
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with significant annual giving capacity. In 2023, the foundation awarded 56 grants totaling over $4.8 million to nonprofit organizations across Minnesota.
Grant Range
$10,000 - $100,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on Minnesota statewide, with particular concentration in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $79 million (Net Assets: $77.7 million)
- Revenue: $2.05 million
- Expenses: $6.52 million
- Total Liabilities: $1.26 million
- Net Income: -$4.47 million
The foundation's revenue sources include contributions (representing the majority of funding).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $78,989,404 | $77,106,995 | $73,666,071 |
| Revenue | $2,052,517 | $3,697,623 | $13,502,864 |
| Expenses | $6,523,057 | $6,882,326 | $6,035,193 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,993,668 | $6,486,867 | $6,158,118 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,510,840 | $4,586,842 | $3,274,475 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,332,167 | $3,667,849 | $3,361,337 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from BCBSM Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include United Way Worldwide ($236,710), Native American Community Clinic ($200,000), Northwest Indian Community Development Center ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| African Community Senior Services Minneapolis, MN | To increase healthcare enrollment among the most impacted communities from the East African immigrant Community in MN . | $52,000 |
| African Economic Development Solutions St Paul, MN | African Minnesotan Childcare Provider Civic Leadership and Engagement Project | $100,000 |
| Alight Minneapolis, MN | Welcome Home Afghans in MN | $50,000 |
| Amherst H Wilder Foundation ST PAUL, MN | Saint Paul Promise Thrive by Five Initiative | $100,000 |
| Amherst H Wilder Foundation ST PAUL, MN | African American Babies Coalitions and Projects Birth Equity | $100,000 |
| Apple Tree Dental Mounds View, MN | Launching a Family-Centered Dental Home Pilot | $100,000 |
| CARE Clinic Red Wing, MN | Expand Access to Equitable Dental Care and Coverage | $100,000 |
| CAPI USA Minneapolis, MN | Health Benefits Navigation Spanish Hmong | $100,000 |
| Centro Tyrone Guzman Minneapolis, MN | Manos Montessori Intergenerational Social Enterprise | $75,000 |
| Children's Defense Fund St Paul, MN | Building Power and Raising Voices for MN Families | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Carolyn Link serves as President of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARK STEFFEN MD | VICE CHAIR | — | — |
| BUKATA HAYES | BOARD CHAIR | — | — |
| DANA ERICKSON | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| PAUL SAND | SECRETARY | — | — |
| ANN HOWES | ASST SECRETARY | — | — |
| MAY VANG | TREASURER | — | — |
| NASH SHAIKH | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| KRISTINE RHODES | DIRECTOR | — | $500 |
| CAROLYN LINK | PRESIDENT | 40 | $394,242 |
| EMILY PIPER | DIRECTOR | — | $2,000 |
Contact Information
- Website: https://www.bluecrossmnfoundation.org/
- Phone: 651-662-9538 or 866-812-1593
- Email: foundation@bluecrossmnfoundation.org
- Address: P.O. Box 64560, Saint Paul, MN 55164-0560
- EIN: 36-3525653
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BCBSM Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to build strong community partnerships to advance racial and health equity. The organization focuses on building healthy generations so families, young people, and seniors can achieve their healthiest life. The foundation supports programs designed to improve community conditions that have an impact on the health of children and families, with special emphasis directed toward: • Equitable systems • Social connections • Stable lives • Vibrant communities
How do I apply for a grant from BCBSM Foundation Inc?
The foundation is an active grantmaker with significant annual giving capacity. In 2023, the foundation awarded 56 grants totaling over $4.8 million to nonprofit organizations across Minnesota. **Grant Characteristics:** • Annual giving: Approximately $4.8 million • Typical grant range: $10,000 - $100,000 • Multi-year grants typically range from $50,000 - $100,000 per year • Decision timeline: Approximately 3 months **Application Process:** Prospective grantees can apply through the foundation'…
Where does BCBSM Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation focuses on Minnesota statewide, with particular concentration in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
What size grants does BCBSM Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, BCBSM Foundation Inc awarded 51 grants totaling $4.6M — an average of about $90K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is BCBSM Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, BCBSM Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is BCBSM Foundation Inc's EIN?
BCBSM Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3525653. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in BCBSM Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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