Bergmark Foundation is a grantmaking organization that donates to public radio stations, left-of-center advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood, and several universities. ^{1 2} It was founded by Edward Bergmark, a psychologist and founder of Optum, a healthcare provider that he claims was created to serve people dealing with social issues. ³

Background

Bergmark Foundation is a private foundation that was founded in 2008 by Edward Bergmark. ⁴ According to its tax returns, in 2019 it received $166,897 in contributions from Edward Bergmark, $165,697 of which was through donations of Tactile Systems Technologies stock. ^{5 6}

People

Edward Bergmark is the founder of Bergmark Foundation, and as of 2023, was serving as a trustee for the organization. ⁷ He is a limited partner of the Bailey Group and works as an executive coach and consultant. ⁸

In 1990, Bergamark founded Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group that provides medical services based on individuals’ social issues, and he also has previously served as chief executive officer for American Telecare, a Minnesota based telemedicine company. ⁹ He is also on the board of trustees for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. ¹⁰

Grantmaking

According to Bergmark Foundation’s tax returns, in 2019 it gave out $85,500 in grants. Among its grants included $43,900 to Minnesota Public Radio, $15,000 to Mississippi Center for Justice to “Advance Racial and Economic Justice,” and $500 to Planned Parenthood. ¹¹

Finances

According to Bergmark Foundation’s tax returns, it reported receiving $166,897 in contributions in 2019 and $1,250 in 2020. ^{12 13} Also in 2020, it reported $77,630 in expenses, $76,230 of which were in the form of grants, and it reported $86,850 in expenses in 2019, $85,500 of which were in the form of grants. ^{14 15}

1. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2019. Part XV.
2. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2020. Part XV.
3. “Profiles in Health: Edward Bergmark.” MPR News. MPR News, July 13, 2019. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/03/31/healthy-states-edward-bergmark.
4. “Letter of Determination.” U.S. Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service. August 22, 2008. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/dl/FinalLetter_26-2780768_BERGMARKFOUNDATION_06122008_01.tif
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2019. Schedule B, Part I.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2019. Schedule B, Part II.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2020. Part III, Section 1.
8. “Edward Bergmark, Phd, LP.” The Bailey Group Minneapolis, October 28, 2022. https://thebaileygroup.com/edward-bergmark/.
9. “Profiles in Health: Edward Bergmark.” MPR News. MPR News, July 13, 2019. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/03/31/healthy-states-edward-bergmark.
10. “Board of Trustees – The Chicago School.” The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, September 16, 2022. https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/why-us/leadership/board-of-trustees/.
11. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2019. Part XV.
12. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2020. Part I, Line 1.
13. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2019. Part I, Line 1.
14. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2020. Part I, Lines 25-26.
15. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Bergmark Foundation. 2019. Part I, Lines 25-26.