The Bellwether Foundation

• The Bellwether Foundation funds St. Louis area 501(c)(3) organisations working in arts and sciences, cultural institutions, education and the environment, so only approach it if your work sits within that area and those themes.
• Most grants are modest: half of its grants to organisations were $10,000 or less, though the range runs from $1,500 to $500,000, with the largest recorded grant at $2,600,000, so a request in the lower end of that range is the realistic starting point for most applicants.
• It accepts applications by invitation only and does not take unsolicited requests, so a cold proposal is not the way in; and a large share of its grant dollars went to organisations it had already funded before, suggesting it tends to keep supporting existing relationships rather than open wide to new ones.
• It prefers programme grants, and established programmes or expansions with demonstrated, measurable results, so be ready to show quantifiable impact if and when you are invited to apply; those seeking capital or endowment support are told to contact the foundation in advance.
• It does not fund field trips, travel, conferences, requests from individuals, housing or medical research, so organisations seeking support for those purposes should not apply.

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

• Missouri Botanical Garden · To discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.
  $2,000,0002025 tax year
• Donald Danforth Plant Science Center · To improve the human condition through plant science.
  $1,400,0002025 tax year
• Forest Park Forever · To restore, maintain and sustain forest park in partnership with the city of st. louis.
  $1,000,0002025 tax year
• Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation · To deliver exceptional health care to all children in need of care.
  $1,000,0002025 tax year
• Sheldon Arts Foundation · To enrich the st. louis region with a wide range of music, visual arts and educational programs.
  $500,0002025 tax year
• Urban Sprouts · To honor and empower each young scholar to develop into socially capable, creative, and inspired citizens.
  $130,0002025 tax year
• United Way of Greater Saint Louis · To mobilize the community with one goal in mind: helping people live their best possible lives.
  $100,0002025 tax year
• Center for Creative Arts · To enrich lives and build community through the arts.
  $100,0002025 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.