The Bellwether Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Bellwether Foundation is a private foundation in St Louis, Missouri. In tax year 2025 it gave $6.7 million in 39 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $2.0 million. 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$6.7 million
- Number of grants39
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$2.0 million
- Assets$151 million
- New grantees44%
Giving in 2025 was up from $6.2 million the year before.
44% of its 2025 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 | $7.3 million | 60 | $112 million |
| 2024 | $6.2 million | 27 | $112 million |
| 2025 | $6.7 million | 39 | $151 million |
How to apply
The Bellwether 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.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Bellwether Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 6 states, the most to Missouri.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 31 | $6.6 million |
| Florida | 1 | $10,000 |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $5,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $2,500 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $2,500 |
| Virginia | 1 | $1,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Botanical Garden | To discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life. | $2.0 million |
| Donald Danforth Plant Science Center | To improve the human condition through plant science. | $1.4 million |
| Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation | To deliver exceptional health care to all children in need of care. | $1.0 million |
| Forest Park Forever | To restore, maintain and sustain forest park in partnership with the city of st. Louis. | $1.0 million |
| Sheldon Arts Foundation | To enrich the st. Louis region with a wide range of music, visual arts and educational programs. | $500,000 |
| Urban Sprouts | To honor and empower each young scholar to develop into socially capable, creative, and inspired citizens. | $130,000 |
| Center for Creative Arts (Coca) | To enrich lives and build community through the arts. | $100,000 |
| United Way of Greater St Louis Inc | To mobilize the community with one goal in mind: helping people live their best possible lives. | $100,000 |
| Urban League of Metropolitan St Louis | To empower individuals to secure economic self-reliance, social equality, & civil rights. | $100,000 |
| Green House Venture | To educate elementary students in STEM, bioscience, nutrition and dietetics, and urban agriculture. | $70,000 |
| City Academy | To offer affordable education to promising children in the community. | $55,000 |
| St Louis Mercantile Library at Umsl | To make its collections available to the widest number of local and national users | $46,500 |
| Dream Builders 4 Equity | For low-income youth to receive training in rehabbing property. | $30,000 |
| Forest Releaf of Missouri | To provide trees for public and nonprofit plantings. | $30,000 |
| Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center Inc | To promote an appreciation of our natural world and provide educational opportunities. | $10,000 |
| Visitation Academy | To educate children and young women. | $8,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Great Rivers | To provide, protect & support reproductive & sexual health, services, access and rights. | $6,000 |
| Flance Early Learning Center | To educate and nurture young children, supporting families and strengthening community. | $5,000 |
| Guardian Angel Settlement Association | To help people living in poverty improve the quality of their lives and achieve economic independence. | $5,000 |
| John Burroughs School | To support academic, physical and creative fulfillment for students. | $5,000 |
| Operation Food Search | To heal hunger with innovative solutions that provide food today & help create a hunger-free tomorrow. | $5,000 |
| Pianos for People | To provide free access to the transformational power of the piano. | $5,000 |
| Saint Louis Zoo Association | To conserve animals and their habitats through animal management, research and programs. | $5,000 |
| Saint Louis Art Museum Foundation | To support and encourage support of the saint louis art museum. | $4,000 |
| Eye Thrive | To give children the ability to thrive through access to essential vision services. | $3,500 |
| Marian Middle School | To break the cycle of poverty through high-quality education for adolescent girls. | $3,500 |
| Saint Louis Science Center Foundation | To support the saint louis science center. | $3,000 |
| The Campbell House | To enliven the history of st. Louis and westward expansion through the story of the campbell family. | $3,000 |
| Tower Grove Park Foundation | To provide important recreational, educational and cultural opportunities for the public. | $3,000 |
| Suffield Academy | To provide students with academic excellence, strong work ethic, respect, and commitment. | $2,500 |
| University of Denver | To promote learning by engaging with students in advancing scholarly inquiry. | $2,500 |
| Washington University | To discover and disseminate knowledge and the freedom of inquiry through research and learning. | $2,500 |
| Food & Friends | To provide meals, groceries, & nutrition to those living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, & other illnesses. | $1,500 |
| University of Richmond | To educate students in an academically challenging and intellectually vibrant community. | $1,500 |
| Bread for the City | To help low-income residents develop their power to determine the future of their communities. | $1,500 |
| Missouri History Museum | To serve as the confluence of historical perspectives to inspire and engage. | $1,000 |
| Smithsonian Institution | To spark curiosity and learning with the knowledge, resources, and expertise of the smithsonian. | $1,000 |
| Soldiers Memorial Military Museummissouri Historical Society | To serve as the confluence of historical perspectives to inspire and engage. | $1,000 |
| Brookings Institute | To equip individuals with research & policy strategies for a more prosperous & secure world. | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Robert B Smith III
- Virginia V Smith
- Sally Duffield
- Carrie D Pittenger
- Alexandra V Smith
- John J Wolfe
Questions people ask
Does The Bellwether Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Bellwether Foundation give?
$6.7 million in tax year 2025, across 39 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs The Bellwether Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Robert B Smith III (Chairman and President), Virginia V Smith (Secretary), Sally Duffield (Trustee) and Carrie D Pittenger (Trustee) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does The Bellwether Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, science and research and youth programs.