Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,292,546,623 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Applications reviewed once annually after April 1 deadline
Grant Range: $1,000 - $20,000,000+ (very large grants for global medicine distribution)
Geographic Focus: Connecticut priority, with global reach for medicine donations
Assets: $193,072,151

Contact Details

Website: https://bicares.boehringer-ingelheim.com/

Phone: 203-798-4895

Email: bicaresfoundation.rdg@boehringer-ingelheim.com

Address: Ridgefield, CT

Overview

The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Inc (BICF) was established in 2001 as a company-sponsored 501(c)(3) operating foundation and subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation. Since its founding, the foundation has donated over $37 million to support community programs aligned with its mission. With assets exceeding $193 million and annual giving of over $1.2 billion (including medicine donations valued at market prices), BICF operates four core programs: Financial Contributions (community grants), Product Donations (global medicine distribution), Patient Assistance (free medicines to uninsured U.S. patients), and Employee Volunteer programs. The foundation's community grant program focuses on improving access to healthcare for underserved patients, enhancing STEM education for teachers and students in underserved communities, and strengthening the human-animal bond through animal-assisted therapies. Connecticut remains a geographic priority, though the foundation also supports large-scale global health initiatives through partnerships with organizations like AmeriCares, Direct Relief International, and MAP International.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Financial Contributions Program

Grant range: $1,000 - $220,000+ for community programs
Application method: Online portal, fixed annual deadline (April 1)
Focus: Connecticut-based organizations preferred, though not exclusively
Connecticut grants tend to support smaller, local organizations; global health grants support large international medicine distribution

Veterinary Medicine Support

Example: $500,000 multi-year scholarship pledge to Tuskegee University ($25,000 annual scholarships)
Focus: Veterinary education and expanding diversity in veterinary medicine

Research Grants Program (GRANTS)

Focus: Swine industry research and veterinary science
Over $1.5 million distributed since 2003

Product Donation Program

$474+ million in medicines donated to underserved patients globally
Partners: AmeriCares, Direct Relief International, MAP International
Reach: Over 40 countries including Cambodia, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Gaza, India, Senegal, Vietnam, and the U.S.

Priority Areas

Healthcare Access

Free and low-cost care for uninsured and underinsured populations
Community health clinics and mobile medical services
Disease research and treatment initiatives
Health coach programs for chronic disease management
Example recipients: Malta House of Care (Hartford, CT), AmeriCares Free Clinics (Danbury and Fairfield County, CT), Danbury and New Milford Hospitals, Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center

STEM Education

Math and science education for underserved students and teachers
Programs promoting diversity in STEM fields
Example recipients: Connecticut Science Center, Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County, Fairfield University, Southern Connecticut State University's Innovation Hub

Human-Animal Bond

Animal-assisted therapy programs
Service and therapy animal training organizations
Veterinary care access for underserved communities
Example recipients: Danbury Animal Welfare Society, Warrior Canine Connection (Maryland), Chastian Horse Park (Atlanta, GA), Guiding Eyes for the Blind (New York)

What They Don't Fund

While explicit exclusions were not detailed in available sources, the foundation's Patient Assistance Program provides guidance on restrictions:

Organizations or programs outside their three core focus areas (healthcare access, STEM education, human-animal bond)
Programs not serving underserved populations
For-profit entities
Individual patients (except through the separate Patient Assistance Program)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership (as of 2023-2024):

Erin Sternberg: Lead, Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
Jean-Michel Boers: Chairman
Jamie Eden: President

Historical Leadership:

Paul Fonteyne: Former Chairman, Board of Directors
Karen Iannella: Former President

Governance Structure: The BI Cares Steering Committee is a 12-member cross-functional leadership group that provides strategic input and makes community investment decisions. Directors and officers manage the foundation's activities without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Community Grants: The foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits through its online application portal. Applications are reviewed once annually, and all submissions must be received by the April 1 deadline. Connecticut nonprofits are strongly encouraged to apply, though out-of-state organizations serving underserved populations in the foundation's focus areas may also be considered.

Contact for Questions: Grantseekers can reach out with questions before applying at 203-798-4895 or bicaresfoundation.rdg@boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Medical Education Grants: For Independent Medical Education grants, applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the program start date through the professional funding portal.

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed once per year following the April 1 deadline. Specific notification timelines are not publicly disclosed, but applicants should expect decisions to be communicated within several months of the deadline.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation notes that Connecticut is a geographic priority, and Connecticut organizations are described as having "a good chance" with this funder, particularly smaller organizations focused on direct service to underserved populations.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation accepts applications annually. Organizations that were not funded in a previous cycle may reapply in subsequent years. There is no documented restriction on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Connecticut Connection is Key The foundation explicitly prioritizes Connecticut-based organizations. As noted in foundation profiles, "This funder's home state of Connecticut is a geographic priority for its giving" and "Connecticut organizations stand a good chance with this funder." Organizations outside Connecticut should have a compelling case for how they serve populations aligned with the foundation's mission.

Focus on Underserved Populations All three funding priorities emphasize serving underserved communities. Successful applications clearly demonstrate how they reach uninsured, underinsured, low-income, or otherwise marginalized populations. For example, the Malta House of Care grant supported health coaching for uninsured Hartford patients with chronic diseases, while the Tuskegee University scholarship explicitly aimed to increase diversity in veterinary medicine.

Direct Service Programs Preferred The foundation's Connecticut giving tends to support smaller organizations providing direct services rather than advocacy, research, or policy organizations. Programs like the AmeriCares Free Clinics in Danbury and mobile medical clinics demonstrate hands-on service delivery.

Partnership and Collaboration The foundation has demonstrated preference for programs that involve partnerships. The Malta House of Care Health Coach Program was an expansion of an existing successful model at AmeriCares Free Clinics. The Southern Connecticut State University partnership connected students with STEM career opportunities at Boehringer Ingelheim itself.

Measurable Outcomes Recent grant recipients demonstrate concrete, measurable impacts. The SCSU BioPath program reported "over 200 job and internship placements at STEM companies" with specific diversity metrics (65% female, 36% persons of color). Applications should include clear success metrics.

Innovation in Service Delivery The health coach model funded at Malta House represents an innovative approach to chronic disease management for uninsured populations. Programs that demonstrate creative solutions to persistent problems in healthcare access, STEM education, or animal-assisted therapy are valued.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Connecticut location provides significant advantage: If your organization is based in Connecticut or serves Connecticut communities, emphasize this prominently. Out-of-state organizations face higher barriers.
Define "underserved" clearly and specifically: Don't just state you serve underserved populations—provide demographic data, income levels, insurance status, or other concrete measures of the population's needs.
Align with foundation's corporate expertise: Programs that connect to healthcare, pharmaceutical access, veterinary medicine, or life sciences education may resonate more strongly given Boehringer Ingelheim's core business.
Smaller, focused grants for Connecticut programs: While the foundation distributes over $1 billion annually, the vast majority goes to global medicine donations. Connecticut community grants appear to range from $1,000 to $220,000, with most likely on the smaller end of that spectrum.
Single annual deadline requires advance planning: With applications due April 1 and only one review cycle per year, organizations must plan well in advance and cannot miss the deadline.
Direct contact encouraged: The foundation provides a phone number and email for questions. Use these resources to clarify fit before investing time in a full application.
Long-term partnerships possible: The expansion from AmeriCares Free Clinics to Malta House suggests the foundation develops ongoing relationships with successful grantees and may fund expansions or replications of proven models.

References

Information accessed December 2024