Funding FAQs

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.

The Foundation funds entities that are classified by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are classified as “not a private foundation” under Section 509(a). We also fund fiscal sponsors. In addition, Tribal Nations are eligible to apply.

The following types of organizations are not eligible to apply:

• Individuals 

• For-profit organizations 

• Private foundations 

• Government agencies and units of government (with the exception of Tribal Nations) 

• Public schools, cities, counties and state agencies. (They are considered units of government.) 

• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran status 

• Organizations that require membership in certain religions or advance a particular religious faith. (Faith-based organizations are eligible if they welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief and have 501(c)(3) status.)

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

• Online Foundation Funding Portal applicant user guide
• Sample application
• Project budget template
• Organization budget template
• Sample project budget narrative
• Sample memorandum of understanding