Blue Cross & Blue Shield of
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a private foundation that supports health-related causes and grants to improve health outcomes in Louisiana. Its website says its strategic philanthropic work aims to help people, organizations, and communities create lasting change in the health and lives of Louisiana residents.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of at a glance
In short: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of gave $3.0M across 62 grants in 2024 (avg $49K), mostly in Louisiana. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,049,392
- -12.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 62
- -6.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $49,184
- -6.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $33,333
- Total assets
- $35,175,759
- +32.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (24 of 59, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s website describes a letter-of-intent process for its grant programs, followed by an invitation to submit a formal application for selected proposals. Its 2024 filing names Michael Tipton as the application contact and refers applicants to Statement 9 for forms, materials, deadlines, and award restrictions.
- Next open deadline
- March 1, 2027 (Community Health Improvement Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: Michael Tipton
Mailing address: 5525 Reitz Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Phone: (225) 297-2849
Website: https://www.labluefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of
Collective Impact Grants
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grants
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Health Improvement Grant
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Amount
US $250,000 - US $1,000,000
Deadline
March 1, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Who Blue Cross & Blue Shield of funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northwestern State University ($360K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
544 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 270 grants of 544 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its work as supporting the health and wellbeing of Louisianians. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana and 2% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Blue Cross & Blue Shield of open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 59 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $43K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $33K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 37% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 64% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 311% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.0M (2024) to $11.9M (2020). In 2024 it made 62 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern State University Natchitoches, LA | Collective Impact Grant | $360,000 |
| Together Louisiana New Orleans, LA | Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grant | $250,000 |
| McNeese State University Foundation Lake Charles, LA | Collective Impact Grant | $121,250 |
| Launch Denham Spring, LA | Special Project Grant | $100,000 |
| Operation Restoration New Orleans, LA | Special Project Grant | $100,000 |
| Market Umbrella New Orleans, LA | Special Project Grant | $100,000 |
| Martin Luther King Health Center Shreveport, LA | Special Project Grant | $100,000 |
| Louisiana Public Health Institute New Orleans, LA | Special Project Grant | $100,000 |
| Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center Lafayette, LA | Special Project Grant | $100,000 |
| Feeding Louisiana Baton Rouge, LA | Special Project Grant | $97,567 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $35,175,759 | $15,678,375 | $4,124,649 | $3,049,392 | 62 | $3,947,554 | $5,308,872 | $1,268,510 |
| 2023 | $26,472,093 | $1,556,198 | $4,605,711 | $3,471,421 | 66 | $4,397,519 | $1,195,249 | $1,327,282 |
| 2022 | $27,472,661 | $1,357,533 | $5,866,463 | $5,136,805 | 93 | $5,930,326 | $939,589 | $1,610,509 |
| 2021 | $38,803,366 | $3,754,107 | $9,090,942 | $8,371,490 | 128 | $8,984,004 | $3,352,363 | $2,076,763 |
| 2020 | $44,827,651 | $1,999,323 | $13,308,230 | $11,940,582 | 195 | — | $1,342,593 | $2,150,930 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote the wellness and wellbeing of Louisianians by supporting health-related causes. Its published grant programs address health, education, and wellbeing, including community-wide efforts on public health concerns, innovative pilot projects, and immediate community needs following disasters or crises.
The foundation’s eligibility guidance says it supports nonprofits for health- or education-related programs. Examples among its 2024 grantees include an individual recipient, whose mission is to strengthen local leadership and support practical solutions to community challenges; Launch, which provides pediatric therapy and family support services; and the Martin Luther King Health Center, which provides healthcare services to low-income residents in targeted neighborhoods. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 62 grants totaling $3,049,392. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $360,000, with a median of $33,333. The largest awards included $360,000 to Northwestern State University for a Collective Impact Grant and $250,000 to an individual recipient for a Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grant. Other notable awards were $121,250 to McNeese State University Foundation for a Collective Impact Grant and $100,000 each to Launch, Operation Restoration, Market Umbrella, Martin Luther King Health Center, Louisiana Public Health Institute, and an individual recipient Area Health Education Center for special project grants.
The foundation describes Collective Impact Grants as supporting community-wide efforts to address complex issues. Its application information says letters of intent should outline the project, partners, need, indicators and outcomes, evaluation methods, and intended use of funds; selected applicants may be invited to submit a formal application. The website also lists New Horizons Grants for innovative pilot projects and Community Crisis & Disaster Response Grants for immediate and medium-term community needs. Crisis and disaster requests are described as accepted on an immediate, ongoing basis while funds allow and need exists. The website states that the foundation generally does not provide operating support, with greater flexibility for crisis and disaster response.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael Tipton as president; Dan S. Borne as vice president and chairman; Jerome K. Greig and J. Kevin McCotter as vice presidents and secretaries, with McCotter also listed as treasurer; and C. Richard Atkins, Carl Luikart MD, B. Vindell Washington MD, Judy Miller, and Michael Bruno as vice presidents.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of is led by Michael Tipton, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Tipton
President
On filings since 2020
28 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan S. Borne
Vice President & Chairman
Chairman → Vice President & Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louisiana Health Service Indemnity
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$140K (2020) → $188K (2024)
C. Richard Atkins
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carl Luikart MD
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerome K. Greig
Vice President & Secretary
Vice President → Vice President & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy Miller
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Bruno
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Scott
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
B. Vindell Washington MD
Vice President
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Kevin McCotter
Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Short
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brent McCoy
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Kevin McCotter (2020–2022) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Vindell Washington MD (2020–2022) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $188K, to Louisiana Health Service Indemnity (NA).
Frequently asked questions about Blue Cross & Blue Shield of
How much does Blue Cross & Blue Shield of give each year?
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of gave $3.0M across 62 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.5M across 66 grants.
What is Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's typical grant size?
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's median grant in 2024 was $33,333, and its average grant was $49,184, across 62 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of that year got $43K on average.
Where does Blue Cross & Blue Shield of give grants?
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of gives mostly in Louisiana: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baton Rouge, LA (16 grants), New Orleans, LA (14 grants), Lake Charles, LA (7 grants) and Lafayette, LA (4 grants).
Does Blue Cross & Blue Shield of give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 62 grants with a stated purpose on Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Special Project Grant" (19 grants), "Foundation Honorarium" (16 grants) and "Collective Impact Grant" (10 grants).
Who are Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's largest grantees?
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's largest 2024 grantees include Northwestern State University ($360,000), Together Louisiana ($250,000) and McNeese State University Foundation ($121,250), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Blue Cross & Blue Shield of?
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of reported $35.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Blue Cross & Blue Shield of fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote the wellness and wellbeing of Louisianians by supporting health-related causes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of?
The foundation’s website describes a letter-of-intent process for its grant programs, followed by an invitation to submit a formal application for selected proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's EIN?
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1232379. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Blue Cross & Blue Shield of funds
Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Blue Cross & Blue Shield of funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-morg_3dbf3ada0ce943ae8a1d081838620877
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_721232379_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Blue Cross \& Blue Shield of funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-morg_3dbf3ada0ce943ae8a1d081838620877},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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