The Wellmark Foundation
Historical FunderDes Moines, Iowa · EIN 42-1368650 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$3.2M
Organizations funded27
Typical grant$31,951
Total assets$79.8M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $4,000 and $150,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | THE WELLMARK FOUNDATION |
|---|---|
| Address | 1331 GRAND AVENUE, DES MOINES IA 50309 |
| Phone | 5153766420 |
| WellmarkFoundation@wellmark.com | |
| Form and materials | 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. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
25% of grants went outside Iowa.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Alexandira, VA | Bluescare giving matching gifts and personal volunteer time donations. | $758,599 |
| Iowa Jag Inc | Des Moines, IA | Expansion in up to 8 schools with high need for programming. | $400,000 |
| State University of Iowa Foundation | Iowa City, IA | Through this project, the effectiveness of the rural vitality coalition and the effectiveness of the processes utilized by the coalition… | $387,672 |
| Blues Care Giving Contributions | Des Moines, IA | See attachment 1 | $336,307 |
| Childserve Foundation Inc | Johnston, IA | Addition of two neurobehavioral health treatment rooms to increase capacity to serve more iowa families and support the workforce of iowa's… | $250,000 |
| Lifescape Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | Enable the creation of a dedicated testing and functional assessment room for conducting functional behavior assessments (fbas) and… | $250,000 |
| Rock Valley Community School District | Rock Valley, IA | Restoring the learning environment after a disaster. | $150,000 |
| South Dakota Community Foundation | Pierre, SD | Expansion in up to 3 schools with high need for programming. | $150,000 |
| Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc | Des Moines, IA | To support the passport to culture program for 20 years into the future. | $100,000 |
| Spencer Comm School District | Spencer, IA | For restoring the learning environment after a disaster. | $100,000 |
| Iowa Jag Inc | Des Moines, IA | Design and pilot social determinants of health/health equity curriculum module for use in iowa and south dakota. improve career development… | $50,000 |
| Society of Christian Instruction of Rock Valley Ia | Rock Valley, IA | Restoring the learning environment after a disaster. | $50,000 |
| State of South Dakota | Pierre, SD | The south dakota department of health will host "creating healthy and wealthy communities: a skill-building workshop for rural, tribal and… | $33,375 |
| Rock Valley Community School District Foundation | Rock Valley, IA | 35 document cameras, 75 area rugs, 4 pianos and accessories. | $31,951 |
| South Dakota Community Foundation | Pierre, SD | Improve career development conference and leadership development conference. | $30,000 |
| Spencer Community School District | Spencer, IA | 115 desks and chairs. | $30,000 |
| Drake University | Des Moines, IA | Provide financial support for up to six (6) scholarships for the 2022-2024, 2023-2025 or 2024-2026 program cohorts that will be made… | $15,000 |
| Society of Christian Instruction of Rock Valley Ia | Rock Valley, IA | 16 white board activity tables. | $10,961 |
| Des Moines Area Community College Foundation | Ankeny, IA | Bluescare giving matching gifts and personal volunteer time donations. | $5,580 |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | Speaker at "creating healthy and wealthy communities: a skill-building workshop for rural, tribal and frontier communities" october 1 and… | $5,270 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines | Des Moines, IA | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $4,000 |
| Future Fort Pierre | Fort Pierre, SD | Tatanka project. | $1,500 |
| Back 2 School Iowa | Waukee, IA | Donation to support back 2 school iowa in recognition of 2024 inclusion ambassador award winner. | $1,000 |
| Winterset Community School District | Winterset, IA | Donation to high school boys soccer in recognition of the 2024 inclusion ambassador award nominator. | $500 |
| City of Auburn Iowa | Auburn, IA | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $250 |
| Whiterock Conservancy | Coon Rapids, IA | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $103 |
| Sanford Health Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $26 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Childrens Home Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | Bluescare giving matching gifts. | $0 |
| City of Windsor Heights Police Department | Windsor Heights, IA | Bluescare giving personal volunteer time. | $0 |
| City of Ankeny Parks and Recreation | Ankeny, IA | Bluescare giving personal volunteer time. | $0 |
| Des Moines Area Community College Foundation | Ankeny, IA | Bluescare giving personal volunteer time. | $0 |
| Minnehaha County | Sioux Falls, SD | Bluescare giving personal volunteer time. | $0 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Alexandira, VA | Bluescare giving matching gifts and personal volunteer time donations. | -$50,795 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,152,094 | 33 |
| 2023 | $3,507,966 | 38 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 14, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513189349103586
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 42-1368650
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.