Bell Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Bell Family Foundation is a private foundation in Coronado, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $651,000 in 19 grants; the typical grant was $12,000 and the largest $100,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$651,000
- Number of grants19
- Typical grant$12,000
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$9.4 million
- New grantees16%
Giving in 2025 was up from $395,000 the year before.
16% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $407,000 | 33 | $7.8 million |
| 2024 | $395,000 | 18 | $8.5 million |
| 2025 | $651,000 | 19 | $9.4 million |
How to apply
Bell Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Bell Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Massachusetts. It also paid $17,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 4 | $216,000 |
| California | 3 | $116,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $100,000 |
| New York | 2 | $90,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $80,000 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $13,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $10,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $5,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $4,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carnege Mellon University | Unrestricted contribution | $100,000 |
| Computer History Museum | Unrestricted contribution | $100,000 |
| Earthwatch Institute | Unrestricted contribution | $80,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Unrestricted contribution | $80,000 |
| Woodwell Climate Research Center | Unrestricted contribution | $80,000 |
| The Ocean Cleanup North Pacific Foundation | Unrestricted contribution | $50,000 |
| Clark University | Unrestriced contribution | $50,000 |
| Association for Computer Machinery | Unrestricted contribution | $40,000 |
| Calgary Arts Summer School Cassa | Unrestricted contribution | $17,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation for CS Dept | Unrestricted contribution | $12,000 |
| National Academy of Engineering Fund | Unrestricted contribution | $10,000 |
| New England Conservatory of Music Annual Fund | Unrestricted contribution | $6,000 |
| Cape May Jazz Festival | Unrestricted contribution | $5,000 |
| Mason Gross School of Arts | Unrestricted contribution | $5,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation for Atlas Scholarship Fund | Unrestricted contribution | $5,000 |
| Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music | Unrestricted contribution | $4,000 |
| University of Southern California | Unrestricted contribution | $4,000 |
| Westbrick Music Academy | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Princeton Symphony Orchestra | Unrestricted contribution | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Sheridan Sinclaire-Bell
- Brigham R Bell
- Laura R Bell
- Gwendolyn K Bell
Questions people ask
Does Bell Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Bell Family Foundation give?
$651,000 in tax year 2025, across 19 grants, with a typical grant of $12,000.
Who runs Bell Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Sheridan Sinclaire-Bell (Trustee), Brigham R Bell (Trustee), Laura R Bell (Trustee) and Gwendolyn K Bell (Trustee).
What does Bell Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and arts and culture.