The Blue Cross Foundation strives to provide an equitable and transparent grantmaking process and to deliver high-quality service and support to both potential and current grantees. This section shares general information about the Foundation’s grantmaking process, including a link to our funding portal and commonly used documents. Be sure to review the specific guidelines released for each funding opportunity.
Funding FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
The Foundation awards the majority of its grants through a competitive application and review process.
All prospective grantees undergo a legal, financial and programmatic review.
To be considered for funding, an organization must meet all eligibility criteria for the specific funding opportunity, as outlined in its guidelines; and prospective grantees must complete an online application, including all required documents.
Open funding opportunities are announced on this website and through our e-newsletter. We encourage you to sign up for our e-newsletter using the link at the bottom of the page to receive funding alerts and learn about the Foundation and the work of our grantees.
Applicants may only apply for a grant if the Foundation has an open funding opportunity. To complete an application during an open funding opportunity, log in to the Online Foundation Funding Portal to complete an application. Select Foundation from the top menu. A link to apply will only be visible if the Foundation has an open opportunity.
We focus exclusively on people and places in Minnesota.
Eligible applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization with public charity tax status OR a Tribal Nation. Applicants must serve Minnesota communities. Applicants may apply with a fiscal sponsor, which must be an eligible applicant.
- 501(c)(3) organizations with private foundation tax status
- Individuals
- Government entities (with the exception of Tribal Nations)
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran status
- Organizations that require membership in their religious tradition or advance religious beliefs or practices. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply if they welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief.
As required by the Internal Revenue Code, the Foundation will not fund attempts to influence specific pending or proposed legislation, including referenda, local ordinances and resolutions. This prohibition generally includes direct lobbying of legislators and other government officials with respect to specific legislation and mass-media advertising campaigns aimed at influencing specific legislation.
The Blue Cross Foundation typically does not make grants for galas, conferences or fundraising benefits.
The Foundation does not make grants for the following:
- Assistance for individuals, including scholarships
- Activities for specific religious purposes
- Clinical quality-improvement activities
- Biomedical research
- Back payroll taxes
- Capital expenditures, including building purchase, remodeling or furnishing of facilities and vehicle purchases
- Director and officers’ insurance
- Equipment or travel, except as related to project activities
- Endowments, fundraising events or development campaigns
- Legal fees, including the cost of litigation or settlements, incurred by grantees
- Reimbursement for health care services provided
- Retiring debt or covering deficits
- Payment of services or benefits reimbursable from other sources
Equitable Care and Coverage:
Majra Mucić Gibbons, Senior Program Officer
Majra.Gibbons@bluecrossmnfoundation.org
(651) 662-9215
Healthy Start:
Allison Corrado, Senior Program Officer
Allison.Corrado@bluecrossmnfoundation.org
(651) 662-4613
Healthy Connections:
Camila Mercado Michelli, Program Officer
Camila.Mercado.Michelli@bluecrossmnfoundation.org
(651) 662-7905