Independence Blue Cross Foundation
The Independence Blue Cross Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a mission to positively impact health. It supports initiatives to improve healthcare access, strengthen the health workforce, and enable solutions for better community health.
Independence Blue Cross Foundation at a glance
In short: Independence Blue Cross Foundation gave $8.7M across 70 grants in 2024 (avg $124K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,657,710
- -7.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 70
- -51.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $123,682
- +90.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $70,013
- Total assets
- $130,668,288
- -0.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (9 of 70, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (95% 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 Independence Blue Cross Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through the Foundation’s grants management system. The application form, required information and materials, eligibility guidelines, grant agreement, and submission deadlines may vary by grantmaking area; applicants should review the guidelines and contact the Foundation with questions. Eligible applicants generally must be tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) and Section 509(a)(1) or (2), or Type I or II supporting organizations under Section 509(a)(3). They must be located in and/or serve Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties; provide services without unlawful discrimination; and align with the Foundation’s mission and priorities. The Foundation does not fund, among other things, capital construction, endowments, grants to individuals, fundraising events, political causes, or religious groups for religious purposes.
- Review Cycle
- Submission deadlines vary by grantmaking area.
- Deadline
- Submission deadlines vary by grantmaking area.
- Contact
Application contact: Wwwibxfoundationorg
Mailing address: 1901 Market Street 37Th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (855) 422-3386
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Who Independence Blue Cross Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania ($952K). Together the top 10 received $3.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
630 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 332 grants of 630 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation states that awards are generally limited to organizations located in, or carrying out grant purposes in, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania. In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania; the remainder went to recipients in California, Georgia, New York, and New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 70 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Independence Blue Cross Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 70 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $160K; repeat grants $118K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $70K repeat.
- 81% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 158% 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 $5.5M (2020) to $12.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 70 grants totaling $8.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | Community Health; Healthcare Access; Health Workfo | $952,316 |
| The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Healthcare Access | $530,000 |
| HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | Community Health | $500,000 |
| Delaware Valley Community Health Inc Philadelphia, PA | Healthcare Access | $340,000 |
| Drexel University Philadelphia, PA | Community Health; Healthcare Access; Health Workfo | $305,901 |
| Greater Philadelphia Young Men's Christian Associa Conshohocken, PA | Community Health | $280,000 |
| Villanova University Villanova, PA | Community Health; Healthcare Access; Health Workfo | $262,037 |
| Main Line Health Inc Radnor, PA | Community Health | $250,000 |
| Oshun Family Center Philadelphia, PA | Community Health | $250,000 |
| Greater Philadelphia Health Action Philadelphia, PA | Healthcare Access | $235,000 |
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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 | $130,668,288 | $4,487,181 | $10,665,804 | $8,657,710 | 70 | $10,324,203 | $2,836,608 | $6,519,308 |
| 2023 | $131,340,037 | $15,536,483 | $10,430,571 | $9,352,252 | 144 | $10,667,480 | $4,293,222 | $6,721,499 |
| 2022 | $118,000,941 | $1,000,827 | $12,873,110 | $12,132,516 | 165 | $12,475,021 | $2,767,271 | $6,318,421 |
| 2021 | $149,853,954 | $24,274,350 | $8,813,453 | $8,130,322 | 140 | $8,348,636 | $8,511,230 | $6,324,114 |
| 2020 | $129,156,525 | $36,771,481 | $6,531,950 | $5,549,911 | 111 | — | $6,205,233 | $4,479,265 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Independence Blue Cross Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s three focus areas are healthcare access—including primary and preventive care, dental, and vision services—health workforce development, and community health.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. Delaware Valley Community Health describes itself as a community-governed organization providing affordable primary medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare regardless of patients’ ability to pay. Oshun Family Center says it works toward health equity across reproductive and mental health, with attention to culturally concordant care. Kids Smiles says its mission is to promote positive health behaviors and ensure children can access quality oral healthcare regardless of ability to pay. The Foundation also gave grants to universities and health organizations, including the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and Main Line Health.
Grantmaking
The Foundation’s 2024 filing lists 70 grants totaling $8,657,710. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $952,316, with a median of $70,012. Among the largest awards were $952,316 to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania for community health, healthcare access, and health workforce purposes; $530,000 to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation for healthcare access; $500,000 to HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern Pennsylvania for community health; and $340,000 to Delaware Valley Community Health for healthcare access. Other large awards included $305,901 to Drexel University, $280,000 to the Greater Philadelphia Young Men’s Christian Association, and $262,037 to Villanova University.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charisse R. Lillie as chair of the board and Lorina L. Marshall-Blake as president and director. Juan A. Lopez Jr. is listed as treasurer, and Emily Zitser as secretary. Directors listed include Joan P. Hilferty, Christopher Cashman, Richard L. Snyder, M.D., Nicholas A. Giordano, Sidney Hargro, and Pamela Sarne-McCormick.
Independence Blue Cross Foundation is led by Lorina L. Marshall-Blake, President & Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 13 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lorina L. Marshall-Blake
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charisse R. Lillie Esq.
Chairman of Board of Directors
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Cashman
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joan P. Hilferty
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard L. Snyder M. D.
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas A. Giordano
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Sarne-McCormick
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roberta Waite
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sidney Hargro
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan A. Lopez Jr.
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica C. Lamanna Esq.
Secretary
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Valerie Hjelm Esq.
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Zitser
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Lilton R Taliaferro Jr. Esq. (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Patrick B Gillespie (2020–2021) — Chairman of Board of Directors
- Former: Carolina DiGiorgio (2021) — Director
- Former: Paul A Tufano Esq. (2020) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Independence Blue Cross Foundation
How much does Independence Blue Cross Foundation give each year?
Independence Blue Cross Foundation gave $8.7M across 70 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.4M across 144 grants.
What is Independence Blue Cross Foundation's typical grant size?
Independence Blue Cross Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $70,013, and its average grant was $123,682, across 70 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Independence Blue Cross Foundation that year got $160K on average.
Where does Independence Blue Cross Foundation give grants?
Independence Blue Cross Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (37 grants), Abington, PA (3 grants), West Chester, PA (2 grants) and Media, PA (2 grants).
Does Independence Blue Cross Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 70 grants with a stated purpose on Independence Blue Cross Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Healthcare Access" (33 grants), "Healthcare Access; Health Workforce" (15 grants) and "Health Workforce" (11 grants).
Who are Independence Blue Cross Foundation's largest grantees?
Independence Blue Cross Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania ($952,316), The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation ($530,000) and HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern Pennsylvania ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Independence Blue Cross Foundation?
Independence Blue Cross Foundation reported $130.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Independence Blue Cross Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s three focus areas are healthcare access—including primary and preventive care, dental, and vision services—health workforce development, and community health. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Independence Blue Cross Foundation?
Applications are submitted through the Foundation’s grants management system. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Independence Blue Cross Foundation's EIN?
Independence Blue Cross Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4685801. 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Independence Blue Cross Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Independence Blue Cross Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Independence Blue Cross Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/independence-blue-cross-foundation-morg_b26750d50b88421994578b8f39bee9ab
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364685801_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Independence Blue Cross Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/independence-blue-cross-foundation-morg_b26750d50b88421994578b8f39bee9ab},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Independence Blue Cross Foundation'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.
Independence Blue Cross Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?