BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- This foundation, based in Columbia, South Carolina, prioritises South Carolina for its giving, so organisations working outside the state are unlikely to fit its geographic focus.
- It funds health-related work covering access to health, children and families, diabetes management and prevention, health care quality and the health workforce, so a project outside these themes is unlikely to match its priorities.
- Grants mostly range from $50,000 to $775,000, with about eight in ten of its 168 grants falling in that band and the median grant at $180,000, so a request of that order is realistic, while the largest grants reach around $2,750,000, showing it can support larger asks too.
- Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent, due in either February or August, and only invited organisations proceed to a full application; with 72% of grant dollars going to organisations it had also funded in its two previous filings, the process appears relationship-led and at least somewhat competitive, so building a connection before applying may help.
- It explicitly does not fund capital campaigns including brick-and-mortar establishments, one-time or annual events, fundraising events, individuals, political campaigns or activities that influence legislation, advertising, religious activities, indirect costs, other grant-making foundations, animal-related projects, or unrestricted funds, so organisations seeking support for any of these should not apply.
Overview
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is a US private foundation based in Columbia, SC.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation supports projects that promote the health of South Carolinians and increase access to health care for economically disadvantaged people. Its stated priorities span access to health; children and families, including early detection, prevention and environments that support wellbeing; diabetes management and prevention; health-care quality; and the health workforce. It backs community partners, including nonprofit organisations, government agencies and educational institutions, to tackle systemic population-health issues and health disparities, particularly for economically vulnerable people. Its approach ranges from direct care to policy, systems and environmental change, seeking measurable improvements as well as sustainable benefits for future generations. Applicants begin with a letter of intent, and only invited organisations proceed to a full application.
Themes
- Access to health
- Children and families
- Diabetes management and prevention
- Health care quality
- Workforce for health
Geographic Focus
Priority: South Carolina.
What They Don't Fund
- Capital campaigns including brick-and-mortar establishments
- One-time or annual events, including sports tournaments, camps or event incentives
- Fundraising events, including purchase of tickets or tables, membership drives, raffles or auctions
- Individuals
- Political campaigns or activities that influence legislation
- Advertising
- Religious activities
- Indirect costs
- Other grant-making foundations
- Animal-related projects
- Unrestricted funds
How to apply
Applicants first submit a Letter of Intent to establish eligibility. If it is approved, they gain access to the online application; only invited organisations proceed to that stage.
Deadlines: Letters of intent are due in February for the spring cycle and August for the fall cycle.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 72% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 168 grants to organisations were $180,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The proposal should align with the Foundation's funding priorities to be considered for a full application.
- The Foundation seeks long-term commitment to create lasting change.
- It selects partners thoughtfully, evaluates progress consistently and adjusts strategies when needed.
- The proposed budget should justify the amount requested.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 12% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 72% of grant dollars went to organisations BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 65 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $180k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Prisma Health · Access to Care$2,740,5302024 tax year
- SC Research Foundation · Investing in South Carolina Children$1,582,1112024 tax year
- SC Free Clinic Association · Access to Care$1,294,8792024 tax year
- Spartanburg Academic Movement · Investing in South Carolina Children$1,000,0002024 tax year
- MUSC Foundation · Investing in South Carolina Children$830,3732024 tax year
- SC Research Foundation · Building a Stronger Health Care Workforce$695,8982024 tax year
- Clemson University · Access to Care$672,2302024 tax year
- NAMI of South Carolina · Investing in South Carolina Children$664,1762024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Amy Comeau — Assistant Secretary
- Wendy Pinholster — Secretary
- Anthony F Dubois — Assistant Treasurer
- Jill R Davis — Director
- Harvey L Galloway Jr — Director
- W Scott Graves — Director
- David Pankau — Director
- Minor M Shaw — Director
- Lori C Hair — Treasurer / Director
- Michael J Mizeur — President / Director
- Erika G Kirby — Executive Director / Director
- M Edward Sellers — Chairman / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $18,852,093 | $18,233,401 | $288,806,313 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $18,658,868 | $18,012,367 | $328,060,513 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $22,044,471 | $21,364,275 | $357,935,801 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info.foundation@bcbssc.com
- Columbia, SC
- bcbsscfoundation.org
Applying to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info.foundation@bcbssc.com
- Columbia, SC
- bcbsscfoundation.org