About Centene Foundation
Centene Foundation gives a very small number of large, strategically targeted gifts focused on advancing health care innovation and civic infrastructure in the Midwest. The foundation’s largest, repeat investments are in medical research and care transformation (notably pancreatic cancer work at Mayo Clinic), while other major grants support regional public institutions that improve community access and education, such as transit and botanical garden facilities. Their giving appears programmatic and place-based, prioritizing high-impact capital and partnership projects over many small awards.
Focus Areas
Transformational pancreatic cancer research and care partnerships (Mayo Clinic)Regional public transit infrastructure and secure platform projects (Bi-State Development — St. Louis area)Public science and plant education via major capital improvements at botanical institutions (Missouri Botanical Garden)
Who They Fund
children and students (K-12 and early childhood)people with cancer / pancreatic cancer patientsrural and underserved communitieslow-income and homeless individuals
About Centene Foundation
Centene Foundation’s largest recent gift went to Mayo Clinic for a Partnership to Transform Pancreatic Cancer Care, and that pattern helps define the funder: it makes a small number of large, targeted grants tied to health care, community infrastructure, and place-based partnerships. In 2024, the foundation also directed major support to Missouri Botanical Garden for Visitor Center Funding and to Bi-State Development Research Institute for the Secure Platform Project, showing an interest in capital and institutional projects alongside clinical work. The foundation’s recent awards include repeated support for pancreatic cancer collaboration through the University of Wisconsin Foundation and major commitments to Washington University in St. Louis. It also backed Community Health Development Inc. in Uvalde, Texas, for a health and wellness center, and the Health Center Association of Nebraska for Project Access. These grants suggest a strategy built around strategic partnerships rather than a broad open-call model, with funding often attached to specific facilities, programs, or multi-partner initiatives.
What Centene Foundation Funds
Health care access and disease-focused research are central to Centene Foundation’s recent grants. It gave $8,840,000 to Mayo Clinic for a Partnership to Transform Pancreatic Cancer Care, and another $1,000,000 to the University of Wisconsin Foundation for the Centene Pancreatic Cancer Collaborative Fund. The foundation also supports community health infrastructure. In Uvalde, it awarded $1,750,000 to Community Health Development Inc. for a Health and Wellness Center, and it gave $1,000,000 to the Health Center Association of Nebraska for Project Access. Education and institutional capacity appear in other awards. Washington University received $2,000,000 for the Siteman Cancer Center - Michael Neidorff Catalyst, while the Medical College of Georgia Foundation received $1,000,000 for the MCG 3+ Peach State Scholars Initiative. Food and disaster response also appear in the portfolio through a $1,000,000 grant to Volunteer Florida Foundation Inc. for Disaster Relief Achievement.
How Centene Foundation Gives
Typical grant size sits at $5,798 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent list shows a separate layer of million-dollar partnership awards. The foundation’s giving is largely relationship-based: several recipients appear more than once across 2023 and 2024, including Mayo Clinic, the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Washington University, Missouri Botanical Garden, United Way of Greater St. Louis, and Health Center Association of Nebraska. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, funds individuals, and its active programs indicate that unsolicited applications are not accepted for most channels. Its recent awards point to a mix of operating support, strategic partnerships, and multi-year commitments.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$64.5M
Total Assets
$221.1M
Total Revenue
$7.7M
Total Expenses
$30.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $6K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
Geographic Reach
National44 states funded
About 40% of grants go to recipients in VA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeExplore related grant guides
Want a Personalized Pitch for Centene Foundation?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime