The Wellmark Foundation
Accepts applications
The Wellmark Foundation is a private foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.1 million in 27 grants; the typical grant was $31,951 and the largest $758,599. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$3.1 million
- Number of grants27
- Typical grant$31,951
- Largest grant$758,599
- Assets$79.8 million
- New grantees83%
Giving in 2024 was down from $3.4 million the year before.
83% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.4 million | 37 | $74.3 million |
| 2024 | $3.1 million | 27 | $79.8 million |
How to apply
| Contact | The Wellmark Foundation 1331 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (515) 376-6420, wellmarkfoundation@wellmark.com |
| What to submit | Applications should be submitted by completing the form available through the alignment tool on the wellmark foundation's website. The form will guide applicants to provide all required information. |
| Deadlines | Applications have no submission deadlines. |
| Restrictions | Applications must align with and support the foundation's mission to fund initiatives that provide a positive impact to the health of iowans and south dakotans. |
What The Wellmark Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Iowa.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 20 | $1.9 million |
| Virginia | 1 | $758,599 |
| South Dakota | 6 | $464,901 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Bluescare giving matching gifts and personal volunteer time donations. | $758,599 |
| Iowa Jag Inc | Expansion in up to 8 schools with high need for programming. | $400,000 |
| State University of Iowa Foundation | Through this project, the effectiveness of the rural vitality coalition and the effectiveness of the processes utilized by the coalition for community assessment, engagement, and change will be evaluated by the university of iowa institute of public health practice, research and policy. In 2024, funding has been provided in 2 parts for phases 1-5 of the project and for phase 6. | $387,672 |
| Blues Care Giving Contributions | See attachment 1 | $336,307 |
| Childserve Foundation Inc | Addition of two neurobehavioral health treatment rooms to increase capacity to serve more iowa families and support the workforce of iowa's employers. | $250,000 |
| Lifescape Foundation | Enable the creation of a dedicated testing and functional assessment room for conducting functional behavior assessments (fbas) and functional analyses (fas) essential for identifying the causes and functions of challenging behaviors. | $250,000 |
| Rock Valley Community School District | Restoring the learning environment after a disaster. | $150,000 |
| South Dakota Community Foundation | Expansion in up to 3 schools with high need for programming. | $150,000 |
| Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc | To support the passport to culture program for 20 years into the future. | $100,000 |
| Spencer Comm School District | For restoring the learning environment after a disaster. | $100,000 |
| Iowa Jag Inc | Design and pilot social determinants of health/health equity curriculum module for use in iowa and south dakota. Improve career development conference, leadership development conference, and skills development conference. | $50,000 |
| Society of Christian Instruction of Rock Valley Ia | Restoring the learning environment after a disaster. | $50,000 |
| State of South Dakota | The south dakota department of health will host "creating healthy and wealthy communities: a skill-building workshop for rural, tribal and frontier communities" october 1 and 2, 2024 to bring together city, county and tribal officials, state agencies, healthcare leaders, non-profit leaders, community volunteers, schools superintendents/principals, school board members, economic development professionals and others interested in improving community vitality in rural, tribal and frontier communities. The conference will provide a platform for learning, knowledge sharing, networking and best-practice skill building for planning and funding initiatives that create thriving, healthy communities. | $33,375 |
| Rock Valley Community School District Foundation | 35 document cameras, 75 area rugs, 4 pianos and accessories. | $31,951 |
| South Dakota Community Foundation | Improve career development conference and leadership development conference. | $30,000 |
| Spencer Community School District | 115 desks and chairs. | $30,000 |
| Drake University | Provide financial support for up to six (6) scholarships for the 2022-2024, 2023-2025 or 2024-2026 program cohorts that will be made available to current employees (or the dependents of current employees) of broadlawns medical center, mercyone des moines, and des moines - unity point (each, a "des moines provider system") that have worked throughout the pandemic or completed teach/tech at broadlawns. | $15,000 |
| Society of Christian Instruction of Rock Valley Ia | 16 white board activity tables. | $10,961 |
| Des Moines Area Community College Foundation | Bluescare giving matching gifts and personal volunteer time donations. | $5,580 |
| University of Northern Iowa | Speaker at "creating healthy and wealthy communities: a skill-building workshop for rural, tribal and frontier communities" october 1 and 2, 2024. | $5,270 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $4,000 |
| Future Fort Pierre | Tatanka project. | $1,500 |
| Back 2 School Iowa | Donation to support back 2 school iowa in recognition of 2024 inclusion ambassador award winner. | $1,000 |
| Winterset Community School District | Donation to high school boys soccer in recognition of the 2024 inclusion ambassador award nominator. | $500 |
| City of Auburn Iowa | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $250 |
| Whiterock Conservancy | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $103 |
| Sanford Health Foundation | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $26 |
Officers and trustees
- Kris DeGraff
- Mary Beth Hart
- Cammy Jenkins
- Jennifer Mentele
- Laura Jackson
- Christa D Kuennen
- Scott A Sundstrom
- Sherwin Robinson
Questions people ask
Does The Wellmark Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Applications have no submission deadlines..
How much does The Wellmark Foundation give?
$3.1 million in tax year 2024, across 27 grants, with a typical grant of $31,951.
Who runs The Wellmark Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Kris DeGraff (Director), Mary Beth Hart (Director), Cammy Jenkins (Director) and Jennifer Mentele (Director) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does The Wellmark Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, community development and health.