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The Foundation For Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Annual Giving
$25.9M
Grant Range
Up to $0.1M00
Decision Time
3mo

The Foundation For Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $25,935,860 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Quarterly reviews (Community Support Grants)
  • Grant Range: Up to $50,000 (Community Support Grants); varies for research grants
  • Geographic Focus: St. Louis metropolitan area (Community Support Grants); Barnes-Jewish Hospital affiliates (Research Grants)

Contact Details

Address: 1001 Highlands Plaza Dr W Ste 140, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110

Phone: (314) 286-0600

Website: www.foundationbarnesjewish.org

Email: Contact format follows [firstname.lastname]@bjc.org pattern

Overview

The Foundation For Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded to support Barnes-Jewish Hospital and its affiliated institutions through charitable giving. The Foundation awarded $25,935,860 in grants across 31 awards in 2023. Their mission is "to help donors enrich lives, save lives, and transform health care through charitable gifts." The Foundation operates multiple grant programs including research grants for affiliated physicians and researchers, nursing scholarships for Goldfarb School of Nursing students, and Community Support Grants for nonprofit organizations in the St. Louis area. The Foundation supports Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, BJC Community Health Improvement, BJC Home Care, BJC Hospice including Evelyn's House, and WashU Medicine. In May 2025, David Bruns assumed leadership as Vice President and Executive Director following a competitive national search.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants The Foundation supports biomedical and clinical translational research to enhance patient safety, elevate standards of care, improve quality of life, and make breakthroughs in treatment and recovery. Research funding is disbursed primarily to physicians and researchers affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center and/or Washington University, or to faculty of Barnes-Jewish Goldfarb School of Nursing.

  • BJC Investigators Program: Promotes human knowledge within the fields of basic and applied medical science with a focus on the researchers rather than specific projects
  • Cancer Frontier Fund: In recent cycles, $1.2 million was awarded for eight cancer research projects through the Siteman Cancer Center Investment Program (SIP). The Foundation supports more than 140 cancer research projects focused on breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers. For every $1 donated, Siteman physician-scientists secure nearly $7 in additional research funding from agencies like the National Cancer Institute - a 7:1 return on investment.
  • COVID-19 Research Funding Program: Joint program with Washington University's Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) providing eight-month grants to investigators. In one cycle, 11 investigators received awards for research with potential direct clinical impact.

Community Support Grants Provides funding to not-for-profit organizations working on new projects (seed funding) or expanding capacity in existing projects to enhance healthcare in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Applications are welcomed year-round and reviewed quarterly.

  • Grant Amount: Primarily less than $50,000
  • Eligibility: Not-for-profit organizations working on healthcare-related projects in the St. Louis metropolitan area
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly reviews

Recent recipients include:

  • Our Lady's Inn (support for pregnant women and children shelter program) - August 2024
  • Assisi House (expansion of community vegetable garden in Baden) - June 2024
  • Independence Center (Healthcare Home wellness program) - 2025

In August 2024 alone, the Foundation distributed $324,000 to 11 nonprofit organizations through this program.

Nursing Scholarships The Foundation provides scholarship support to students at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. In 2013, the Foundation provided $450,000 in scholarships to 171 students.

Specific scholarships include:

  • BJC Employee Dependents: $4,000 one-time award for incoming students who are dependent spouse or child of current BJC employees
  • BJC Employee Continuing Award: $2,000 per term for Upper Division, WEO, and Accelerated students with BJC employee parents
  • Goldfarb Legacy Scholarship: $10,000 divided by program terms for returning alumni of Goldfarb School of Nursing and legacy schools
  • Need-Based Award: $10,000 divided by program terms for incoming graduate students with Student Aid Index lower than 12,000

Equity and Inclusion Projects The Foundation recently approved innovative projects focused on diversity and health equity, including:

  • MORE Grant Program: Led by Shawn Reynolds, MSPA, PA-C, establishes pipeline for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds into critical care through clinical preceptorships at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Reynolds stated, "This project will not only address systemic barriers but also serve as a catalyst for creating a more inclusive health-care environment."
  • INCLUDE 2.0 Study: Led by Joanna Abraham, PhD, FACMI, FAMIA, addresses mental health disparities experienced by Black senior surgical patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The study developed the B-WELL (Black WELLness) perioperative program - a culturally adapted intervention. Abraham emphasized, "By addressing the intersection of race, age, and mental health, the project not only seeks to improve clinical outcomes but also to foster greater diversity, equity, and inclusion within the health care system."

Priority Areas

  • Reducing healthcare disparities
  • Fostering strong community healthcare networks
  • Promoting health wellness and prevention
  • Improving quality of healthcare education
  • Biomedical and clinical translational research
  • Patient safety and quality of care improvements
  • Cancer research and treatment breakthroughs
  • Nursing education and professional development
  • Community outreach programs
  • Financial assistance for patients in need
  • Advanced medical technology and equipment

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly published, the Foundation's focus is highly targeted:

  • Research grants are restricted to physicians and researchers affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University, or Barnes-Jewish Goldfarb School of Nursing faculty
  • Nursing scholarships are exclusively for Goldfarb School of Nursing students
  • Community Support Grants appear limited to healthcare-related projects in the St. Louis metropolitan area
  • Organizations or projects unrelated to healthcare or the Foundation's affiliated institutions are unlikely to be funded

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

David Bruns, Vice President and Executive Director - Assumed leadership on May 5, 2025, following a competitive national search. Previously served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Board of Directors

The Foundation has a Board of Directors dedicated to supporting the mission to enrich lives, save lives, and transform health care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Board members include:

  • Dr. Mahendra R. Gupta, PhD (Board President)
  • Thomas Cohn (Head of Philanthropy Committee and Board Member)

Dr. Gupta, along with Mrs. Sunita M. Garg, demonstrated the board's commitment during COVID-19 by donating 20,000 surgical masks.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Community Support Grants: Applications are welcomed year-round and reviewed quarterly. Grant applications should be submitted for projects focused on reducing healthcare disparities, fostering community healthcare networks, promoting health wellness and prevention, or improving healthcare education quality in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The specific application portal and detailed requirements can be found at foundationbarnesjewish.org/Grants.

For Research Grants: Research funding is restricted to physicians and researchers affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center and/or Washington University, or to faculty of Barnes-Jewish Goldfarb School of Nursing. These grants are typically awarded through internal processes rather than public application.

For Nursing Scholarships: Scholarships are exclusively for students enrolled at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. Students should consult with the College's financial aid office for application procedures.

Decision Timeline

Community Support Grants: Applications are reviewed quarterly. Specific quarterly review dates are not publicly disclosed. Announcement of awards typically occurs through press releases on the Foundation's website.

Research Grants: Timeline varies by program. The COVID-19 Research Funding Program, for example, provided eight-month grants with projects beginning on specified start dates (e.g., July 1, 2020 for one cycle).

Success Rates

The Foundation made 31 awards in 2023, 25 awards in 2022, and 19 awards in 2021, demonstrating a growth in grant-making activity. Specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. For Community Support Grants operating on a quarterly review cycle, unsuccessful applicants may likely reapply in subsequent quarters, though this should be confirmed with the Foundation.

Application Success Factors

For Community Support Grants:

  1. Clear Healthcare Focus: Projects must directly relate to healthcare improvement, health disparities reduction, community health networks, wellness/prevention, or healthcare education. Recent successful projects include programs supporting pregnant women, community vegetable gardens addressing food access, and wellness programs.

  2. Geographic Alignment: Projects must serve the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Foundation's community grants are geographically restricted to ensure local impact.

  3. Seed Funding or Capacity Expansion: The Foundation specifically notes support for "new projects (seed funding) or expanding capacity in existing projects." Applications should clearly articulate whether seeking startup funding or expansion resources.

  4. Measurable Impact: Given the Foundation's emphasis on transforming healthcare and eliminating health inequities, applications should demonstrate how projects will create measurable improvements in health outcomes or access.

  5. Financial Scope: Keep budget requests under $50,000 as grants are "primarily" awarded at this level for community support.

For Research Grants:

  1. Institutional Affiliation: Eligibility is restricted to physicians and researchers affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University, or Barnes-Jewish Goldfarb School of Nursing faculty.

  2. Clinical Translation Potential: The Foundation emphasizes "biomedical and clinical translational research" suggesting preference for research with clear pathways to patient care improvements. In COVID-19 funding, projects were evaluated on "potential direct clinical impact within the next 12 months."

  3. Focus on Researchers: The BJC Investigators Program "promotes human knowledge within the fields of basic and applied medical science with a focus on the researchers and not the projects," suggesting strong investigator credentials matter significantly.

  4. Equity and Innovation: Recent funding for equity-focused projects (MORE Grant Program, INCLUDE 2.0) indicates openness to innovative approaches addressing healthcare disparities and systemic barriers.

  5. Leverage Potential: The Cancer Frontier Fund demonstrates a 7:1 return, with every $1 donated generating nearly $7 in additional research funding from agencies like the National Cancer Institute. Applications that demonstrate potential to secure additional external funding may be viewed favorably.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know Your Eligibility: Research grants are highly restricted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital and affiliated institution personnel. Community Support Grants require St. Louis metropolitan area focus and healthcare-related projects.
  • Quarterly Timing for Community Grants: With year-round rolling applications and quarterly reviews, timing is flexible but plan for a quarterly decision cycle.
  • Under $50K for Community Grants: Keep Community Support Grant requests under $50,000 for best alignment with typical award ranges.
  • Emphasize Health Equity: Recent funding demonstrates strong interest in projects addressing healthcare disparities, diversity, and inclusion - these themes align well with current priorities.
  • Document Clinical Impact: Especially for research grants, articulate clear pathways to improving patient care, safety, or outcomes within reasonable timeframes.
  • Leverage Foundation Funding: For research applications, demonstrate how Foundation support can catalyze additional external funding - the 7:1 leverage ratio for cancer research shows this matters.
  • Healthcare-Specific Focus: The Foundation does not appear to fund general charitable causes - all projects must directly relate to healthcare improvement, research, education, or access.

References

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