Bon Eau Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $629,990 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $20,000 - $250,000
• Geographic Focus: National (multi-state)
• Application Method: Invitation only / preselected organisations

Contact Details

Address: c/o Scheffel, 322 State St., Alton, IL 62002-6135
Phone: (618) 465-4288
Website: boneaufoundation.org
Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Bon Eau Foundation is a private family foundation established in February 2004 by the Bono family of Alton, Illinois. With total assets of approximately $4.3 million as of tax year 2023, the foundation distributed $629,990 in grants during that year. The foundation primarily funds unrestricted grants to be used at the organisation's discretion, reflecting a trust-based philanthropy approach. Their giving spans diverse causes including meditation and wellness, environmental conservation, foster care support, education, and healthcare services. The foundation operates with a lean structure, employing no staff, and is governed entirely by Bono family members who serve as volunteer board members.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Bon Eau Foundation operates through discretionary grantmaking with no formal grant programmes. Awards are made on an invitation-only basis to preselected charitable organisations.

Recent Grant Range: $20,000 - $250,000
Median Grant: $40,000
Total Annual Distributions: Approximately $251,000 - $630,000 (varies annually)

Priority Areas

Based on recent grants made (2023-2024), the foundation has supported:

• Contemplative Practices & Wellness: Major support for meditation and mindfulness programmes (Tergar International - $250,000 for meditative app)
• Environmental Conservation: Rainforest protection and conservation efforts (Rainforest Trust - $75,000)
• Child & Family Services: Unrestricted support for social services organisations working with vulnerable populations (Caritas Family Solutions - $47,350 and $56,820)
• Education: School infrastructure improvements (Summit School District - $150,606 for acoustic treatment and audiovisual systems)
• Healthcare & Disability Services: Programmes providing meals, healthcare, and education (Easter Seals Sarasota - $23,800)
• Arts & Culture: Unrestricted support to arts organisations (Houses on the Moon - $20,000)

The foundation has demonstrated interest in pandemic relief for vulnerable populations and youth in foster care support, particularly through partnerships like the Foster Care Coalition.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and does not fund organisations that are not preselected by the board.

Governance and Leadership

The Bon Eau Foundation is governed by four board members, all members of the Bono family, who serve without compensation:

• Jo Ann Bono - President (also listed as donor and founding member)
• Christopher Bono - Director
• Olivia N. Bono - Director
• Stacie E. Bono - Director

Additional family members involved historically include:

• Randall A. Bono - Donor and former director
• Charles Bono - Donor
• Greg Kirkland - Associated with foundation governance

Each board member commits approximately one hour per week to foundation activities. The foundation employs no paid staff and operates through volunteer family governance.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Bon Eau Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the board of directors, who select recipients based on their own research, relationships, and charitable interests.

There is no application form, no application deadlines, and no open solicitation for grant proposals.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded proactively by the board rather than in response to applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Organisations that have previously received funding may receive additional grants if selected by the board.

Application Success Factors

Since the Bon Eau Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals the following characteristics of organisations they support:

Grantee Profile:

• Organisations span diverse geographic locations (Illinois, Colorado, Florida, New York, international)
• Mix of local community organisations and national/international nonprofits
• Organisations working across varied sectors (education, environment, health, social services, arts)
• Many grants are unrestricted, indicating the foundation trusts grantees to determine best use of funds

Funding Approach:

• The foundation favours unrestricted support, stating they fund "unrestricted grants, to be used at the organisation's discretion"
• Grant amounts vary significantly based on organisation size and project scope
• Some support is project-specific (e.g., school infrastructure, meditative app development)
• Foundation has supported both established institutions and smaller community organisations

Board Discretion:

• All funding decisions rest with the four-member family board
• Board members' personal interests and values likely influence grantmaking
• Previous grantees have received repeat funding (e.g., Caritas Family Solutions received grants in both 2023 and 2024)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - this foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant application channels
• Preselected organisations only - the foundation identifies and selects grantees through board discretion rather than responding to proposals
• Unrestricted giving philosophy - when the foundation does make grants, they often provide flexible funding for organisational discretion
• Diverse geographic reach - despite being based in Alton, Illinois, the foundation funds organisations nationwide and internationally
• Significant grant range - grants range from $20,000 to $250,000, with a median around $40,000
• Family governance - all decisions are made by four Bono family members who volunteer their time
• Repeat funding possible - organisations that receive initial funding may receive subsequent grants if they remain aligned with board interests

References

• Cause IQ - Bon Eau Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/bon-eau-foundation,200483951/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Bon Eau Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/200483951/202131659349100743/full
• Grantmakers.io - Bon Eau Foundation Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/200483951-bon-eau-foundation/
• NPFunds Directory - Bon Eau Foundation: https://npfunds.com/directory/bon-eau-foundation/
• Candid Foundation Directory - Bon Eau Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ONEA008