Joseph & Gene Swedish Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,416,200 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: National with emphasis on Colorado and Illinois

Contact Details

• Mailing Address: PO Box 1550, Silverthorne, CO 80498
• Physical Address: 260 High Park Court, Silverthorne, CO 80498
• Website: None found
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Joseph & Gene Swedish Family Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2016 by Joseph R. Swedish, former CEO of Anthem Inc., and his wife Gene. With annual giving of approximately $2.4 million, the foundation reflects Swedish's distinguished 45-year healthcare career and commitment to education, healthcare, and conservation. Joseph Swedish, named one of Modern Healthcare's "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare" for 12 consecutive years, led major health systems including Anthem ($89 billion revenue), Trinity Health (22-state system), and Centura Health (Colorado's largest hospital system). The foundation operates from both Illinois and Colorado, making grants through trustee discretion rather than public applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs with public application processes. Grants are made through trustee discretion, with documented giving to:

• Duke University Fuqua School of Business (scholarships for first-generation students in healthcare management)
• Healthcare-related organizations and initiatives
• Conservation organizations (particularly in Colorado)

Priority Areas

Based on the founders' documented interests and board positions:

• Healthcare education and management
• First-generation student support
• Healthcare quality and access initiatives
• Environmental conservation
• Nature preservation

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are publicly documented, as the foundation operates without published guidelines.

Governance and Leadership

Joseph R. Swedish - Founder and Registered Agent

• Born 1951, son of Eastern European immigrants
• Former CEO of Anthem Inc. (2013-2017), Trinity Health (2005-2013), and Centura Health (1999-2005)
• Co-founder of Concord Health Partners (private equity firm focused on healthcare)
• Current board positions include CDW, Mesoblast (Chairman), Centrexion Therapeutics, The Nature Conservancy (Colorado), and Duke University Fuqua School of Business Board of Visitors

Gene Swedish - Co-founder

The foundation has three adult children: Ian, Evan, and Erin Swedish.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on pre-existing relationships and direct outreach. Organizations typically come to the foundation's attention through:

• Professional networks in healthcare and conservation sectors
• Connections through Joseph Swedish's board positions
• Direct outreach aligned with documented giving priorities
• Relationships with previously funded organizations

Getting on Their Radar

Based on Joseph Swedish's active involvement, specific opportunities include:

• The Nature Conservancy Colorado events where Swedish serves as trustee
• Duke University Fuqua School of Business programs, particularly the Center for Health Sector Management where Swedish is a longtime supporter
• Healthcare sector conferences and events where Concord Health Partners participates
• Direct correspondence to the foundation's Colorado address demonstrating clear alignment with their documented interests in healthcare education, first-generation students, or conservation

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without formal timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not documented - relationship-based grantmaking suggests ongoing dialogue rather than formal reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns:

• Strong healthcare sector connection: Organizations with innovative approaches to healthcare quality, access, or management education have clear alignment with Swedish's career expertise
• First-generation student focus: The foundation has made substantial commitments to supporting first-generation students, particularly in healthcare management education at Duke
• Geographic relevance: Organizations in Colorado (particularly Summit County area) or Illinois (Frankfort area) may have stronger connections
• Conservation initiatives: Colorado-based environmental projects align with Swedish's Nature Conservancy board position
• Educational institutions: Graduate-level programs in healthcare administration or business with focus on underserved populations
• Established credibility: Given the trustee-discretion model, organizations with strong track records and existing relationships in Swedish's professional network have advantages

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - relationship building and direct outreach are essential
• The foundation gave $2.4 million in 2023, demonstrating substantial capacity
• Joseph Swedish's extensive healthcare leadership background (Anthem, Trinity Health, Centura Health) suggests deep expertise in evaluating healthcare initiatives
• Documented commitment to Duke University indicates multi-year, substantial support for aligned organizations
• Conservation interest through Nature Conservancy board position presents opportunities for environmental organizations
• First-generation immigrant background of founder may create affinity for organizations serving immigrant and first-generation communities
• Active involvement through Concord Health Partners suggests continued engagement in healthcare innovation and investment

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Joseph & Gene Swedish Family Foundation Inc (EIN: 813371846), accessed March 2024
• Charity Navigator Profile: Joseph & Gene Swedish Family Foundation Inc, accessed March 2024
• Wikipedia: Joseph R. Swedish biographical information, accessed March 2024
• Duke University Campaign Materials: "Fuqua grad fulfills lifelong mission to support education," accessed March 2024
• Modern Healthcare: Coverage of Joseph Swedish's career and recognition, 2013-2017
• Colorado Secretary of State: Business registration records, filed July 13, 2016
• The Nature Conservancy Colorado: Board member listings, accessed March 2024
• Managed Healthcare Executive: "Featured Exec Joe Swedish: Partner and Co-founder of Concord Health Partners," 2019