Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), based in Omaha, Nebraska, established the Nebraska Blue Foundation in 2024 to focus its philanthropic work. The foundation supports programs that improve Nebraskans’ health and well-being and promote the state’s economic vitality.
Key facts about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
In short: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska gave $771K across 73 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 93-4975232
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $770,755
- Grants made (2025)
- 73
- Average grant
- $10,558
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,920,761
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9M
-15.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$771K
+133.6% YoY
Grant Count
73
+942.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-77.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska reported a distributable amount of $183K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska gives
- In 2025 it paid out 455% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support programs improving the health and well-being of Nebraskans and the economic vitality of Nebraska. Its four priority areas are Serving Seniors, Increasing Access to Preventive Health Care, Economic Vitality, and Third Places. The foundation has described its interest in pilot projects and innovation.
Its 2025 grants included health care, preventive health, food security, senior services, and community programs. For example, the Health Center Association of Nebraska says its mission is to support the state’s federally qualified health centers in providing accessible, quality health care. The Intercultural Senior Center says it provides a daytime activity center for older adults, including immigrants and refugees. Food Bank for the Heartland says its mission is to eliminate hunger in the Heartland by ensuring consistent access to healthy foods through community partnerships.
Grantmaking
The 2025 IRS filing reports 73 grants totaling $770,755. Grant amounts ranged from $25 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest awards were $200,000 to the Health Center Association of Nebraska for Project Access, $30,000 to United Way of the Midlands for its 2025–2026 campaign, and $25,231 to Food Bank for the Heartland for a matching gift program focused on food security. Other $25,000 awards included Cozad Hospital Foundation, Creighton University, MilkWorks, Intercultural Senior Center, Nebraska Methodist Hospital Foundation, and OneWorld Community Health Centers.
Separately, the foundation’s website reports that in 2025 it awarded 42 organizations a total of $500,000 through its inaugural grant cycles. Its published cycle information describes maximum requests of $10,000 for Serving Seniors and $25,000 for Increasing Access to Preventive Health Care; the fall cycle for Economic Vitality and Third Places listed a $10,000 maximum request. Spring-cycle program areas included senior social connectedness, housing, nutrition, exercise, and wellness, as well as preventive-care services such as screenings, immunizations, dental care, and annual exams. The fall-cycle areas included workforce and economic development, civic investments supporting job creation, and community gathering spaces and other public spaces.
How to Apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It says grant opportunities are promoted on its website and applications are accepted through its online grant-management process. The filing states that other foundation grants are limited to Nebraska and focus on health, well-being, or economic vitality; grants may go to national organizations with a local affiliate. The fall-cycle information says eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations, including fiscally sponsored organizations, based in Nebraska and primarily serving Nebraskans.
Ready to take the next step with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska. The foundation’s application information also says its grants are limited to Nebraska, with the possibility of grants to national organizations that have a local affiliate.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 73 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $330K (2024) to $771K (2025). In 2025 it made 73 grants totaling $771K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Health Center Association of Nebraska ($200K). Together the top 10 received $430K.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 77 grants of 80 (96%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Health Center Association of Nebraska Omaha, NE | Project Access | $200,000 |
| United Way of the Midlands Omaha, NE | 2025-2026 Campaign | $30,000 |
| Food Bank for the Heartland Omaha, NE | Matching Gift Program - Food Security | $25,231 |
| Cozad Hospital Foundation Cozad, NE | Cozad Care Connect | $25,000 |
| Creighton University Omaha, NE | Extramural Dental Education Program | $25,000 |
| Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department Foundation Wisner, NE | Pathways to Prevention | $25,000 |
| Intercultural Senior Center Omaha, NE | Dental Care Service | $25,000 |
| Milkworks Lincoln, NE | Milklink Nebraska connecting rural families with virtual breastfeeding support. | $25,000 |
| Nebraska Methodist Hospital Foundation Omaha, NE | Nebraska Methodist College Pediatric Lead Program Expansion | $25,000 |
| Oneworld Community Health Centers Inc Omaha, NE | Pediatric Medical Mobile Clinic | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,920,761 | $142,773 | $646,315 | $770,755 |
| 2024 | $4,614,274 | $4,944,358 | $935,084 | $330,000 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,920,761 | $4,614,274 | — |
| Revenue | $142,773 | $4,944,358 | — |
| Expenses | $646,315 | $935,084 | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | $834,849 | $330,084 | — |
| Net Investment Income | $92,773 | $43,629 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $183,480 | $124,077 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jeff Russell as president and director; Gretchen Twohig as secretary and director; Chad Werner as treasurer and director; Karen Aman as director; and Jay Warren Teamer as executive director.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is led by Jay Warren Teamer, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jay Warren Teamer
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$62K (2025)
Jeff Russell
President & Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Werner
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Twohig
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Aman
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $62K, to Jay Warren Teamer (Executive Director).
Contact
Application contact: Jay Warren-Teamer
Mailing address: 1919 Aksarben Drive, Omaha, NE 68106
Phone: (844) 201-0763
Email: foundation@nebraskablue.com
Frequently asked questions about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
How much does Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska give each year?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska gave $771K across 73 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $330K across 7 grants.
What is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's typical grant size?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,558, across 73 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska give grants?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska gives mostly in Nebraska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (31 grants), Lincoln, NE (5 grants), McCook, NE (2 grants) and Kearney, NE (2 grants).
Does Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 73 grants with a stated purpose on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Matching Gift Program" (23 grants) and "Program Support" (4 grants).
Who are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's largest grantees?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's largest 2025 grantees include Health Center Association of Nebraska ($200,000), United Way of the Midlands ($30,000) and Food Bank for the Heartland ($25,231), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska reported $3.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $835K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $183K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support programs improving the health and well-being of Nebraskans and the economic vitality of Nebraska. Its four priority areas are Serving Seniors, Increasing Access to Preventive Health Care, Economic Vitality, and Third Places. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's EIN?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-4975232. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Does Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-nebraska-morg_92b14dfd8835428d93e78957802afa63
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_934975232_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-nebraska-morg_92b14dfd8835428d93e78957802afa63},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 and Blue Shield of Nebraska'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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