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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.8M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo
0

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,800,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000 (typically $50,000 - $100,000 per year for multi-year grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Minnesota (statewide, with concentration in Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
  • Total Assets: $77 million

Contact Details

Website: https://www.bluecrossmnfoundation.org/

Email: foundation@bluecrossmnfoundation.org

Phone: 651-662-9538

Address: St. Paul, MN

Online Application Portal: https://bcbsmn.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp

Overview

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation (BCBSM Foundation) is a private non-operating foundation established by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. With $77 million in assets and annual grant-making of approximately $4.8 million, the Foundation focuses on building healthy generations so families, young people, and seniors can achieve their healthiest life. The Foundation operates through three main program areas: Healthy Connections, Healthy Start, and Equitable Care and Coverage. In 2023, the Foundation awarded 56 grants totaling over $4.8 million to nonprofit organizations across Minnesota. The Foundation has shown consistent commitment to health equity, particularly focusing on underserved communities and addressing healthcare access barriers. Recent awards in 2024 included $4.08 million to 18 nonprofits for healthcare coverage initiatives and $3.4 million to 16 organizations for early childhood care and education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Equitable Care and Coverage

  • Grant Amount: $50,000 - $100,000 per year (typically 2-year grants)
  • Focus: Increasing healthcare coverage across Minnesota, supporting community solutions to accessing equitable care, and increasing awareness about communities most impacted by lack of healthcare access
  • Primary Use: Funding local outreach navigators who connect uninsured community members eligible for MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance and support them throughout the enrollment process
  • Application Method: Online portal during open funding opportunities

Healthy Start (Early Childhood)

  • Grant Amount: Varies, typically $100,000 - $200,000 over two years
  • Focus: Improving access to and quality of early childhood care and education supports, particularly for vulnerable young children and their caregivers
  • Primary Use: Supporting family home visiting, early childhood screening efforts, and workforce development in early education
  • Application Method: Online portal during open funding opportunities

Healthy Connections

  • Grant Amount: Varies
  • Focus: Creating and nurturing more connected, resilient, and inclusive communities where all people have the support and resources to reach their full health potential
  • Application Method: Online portal during open funding opportunities

Priority Areas

  • Healthcare coverage enrollment and navigation for uninsured Minnesotans
  • Early childhood care and education access and quality
  • Health equity for underserved and vulnerable populations
  • Community-based health initiatives
  • Oral healthcare access
  • Birth equity initiatives
  • Social determinants of health
  • Workforce development in healthcare and early childhood sectors
  • Infrastructure support for community health organizations

What They Don't Fund

While the Foundation does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, eligibility is limited to:

  • Organizations must be nonprofit with 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) classification (or have a fiscal sponsor meeting these requirements)
  • Projects must be based in Minnesota
  • Projects must align with one of the Foundation's three program areas

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Carolyn Link, M.P.H.

  • President, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation
  • Senior Director, Community Health Partnerships
  • Leads all aspects of the Foundation with $78 million in assets and annual grant-making of $5-6 million
  • Manages an eight-person board of directors including four corporate officers and four external community leaders
  • Described as "a practical strategist who successfully partners with leaders to articulate a vision, identify clear and ambitious goals"

Board of Directors

The Foundation's board includes both Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota corporate officers and external community leaders. Recent additions include:

Kristine Rhodes (joined November 2023)

  • Founder and CEO of Asemaake, LLC
  • Focuses on improving programs and systems centered on the health of Indigenous communities

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All grant applications must be submitted through the Foundation's online funding portal at https://bcbsmn.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp. The Foundation operates on a specific funding opportunity cycle rather than accepting rolling applications year-round.

For New Applicants:

  1. Register and create an account in the online system by clicking "Organization Register Here"
  2. Wait for open funding opportunities to be posted on the Foundation's website
  3. Complete the eligibility questionnaire before starting a full application
  4. Receive confirmation of eligibility status
  5. Indicate whether you're using a fiscal sponsor
  6. Submit full application during the open funding window

Application Resources: The Foundation provides an Applicant User Guide to walk applicants through the online application process.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by funding opportunity. The Foundation announces grants at different times throughout the year:

  • October 2024: Healthcare coverage grants announced
  • August 2024: Early childhood grants announced
  • November 2023: Multi-program grants announced

Unsuccessful applicants receive email notification of the decision. Applicants are advised to check spam/junk folders for notification emails. The Foundation also provides a Notes tab feature where applicants can exchange messages with Foundation staff during the review process.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rate percentages. However, based on grant activity data:

  • 2023: 56 awards made
  • 2022: 65 awards made
  • 2021: 70 awards made
  • 2020: 119 awards made

Average grant size in recent years: approximately $85,777

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Applicants are encouraged to contact Foundation staff to discuss future opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's recent funding patterns and organizational approach, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Community Connection: The Foundation prioritizes funding local community-based organizations that have deep roots and trust within the communities they serve. For example, recent grantees like Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES) and the African American Babies Coalition reflect the Foundation's commitment to culturally specific organizations.

Navigator and Direct Service Models: The majority of Equitable Care and Coverage grants fund local outreach navigators who connect with fellow community members. Successful applications clearly articulate how staff will conduct culturally appropriate outreach and enrollment support.

Focus on Vulnerable Populations: Recent grants demonstrate the Foundation's priority for serving populations experiencing the greatest healthcare access barriers, including communities of color, immigrant communities, Greater Minnesota residents, and families with young children.

Responsive and Accessible Staff: According to applicant reviews on GrantAdvisor, "foundation staff are very responsive and enjoy conversing about proposed ideas. They also provide detailed feedback on unsuccessful proposals." This suggests applicants should engage with staff throughout the process.

Measurable Health Outcomes: While specific metrics aren't published, the Foundation's focus on systems change suggests successful applications include clear outcomes related to increased coverage enrollment, improved access to care, or enhanced early childhood supports.

Partnership and Collaboration: Several funded projects involve partnerships between multiple organizations, suggesting the Foundation values collaborative approaches to complex health challenges.

Geographic Diversity: While most grants center on the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, the Foundation demonstrates commitment to Greater Minnesota, as evidenced by grants to organizations like the Northwest Minnesota Foundation in Bemidji.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know the funding cycles: The Foundation operates specific funding opportunities rather than rolling applications - monitor their website and sign up for notifications to ensure you don't miss application windows

  • Engage with staff early: The Foundation is known for responsive, accessible staff who welcome conversations about proposed ideas - contact them to discuss fit before investing significant time in an application

  • Demonstrate community connection: Prioritize showing deep community roots, cultural specificity, and trusted relationships with the populations you serve

  • Emphasize navigation and direct service: The Foundation strongly values models that connect community members directly with health coverage and services through trusted navigators

  • Focus on equity: All three program areas center health equity - clearly articulate how your project addresses disparities and serves vulnerable populations

  • Learn from past grantees: Review recent grant announcements to understand the types of organizations and approaches the Foundation funds in each program area

  • Complete the eligibility questionnaire carefully: This is a required first step that determines whether you can proceed to a full application - ensure your project clearly fits one of the three program areas

References

Accessed: December 2024

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