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Bellwether Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$6.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M

Bellwether Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,181,500 (2024)
  • Total Giving Since 1985: $65+ million
  • Assets: ~$70 million
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Typical Grant Range: Up to $25,000 for program/operating support; Average grant $120,897
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily St. Louis, Missouri region
  • Application Method: Invitation only (2025); check back early 2026 for updates

Contact Details

Address: 8000 Maryland Ave, Suite 1165, Saint Louis, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 862-1150
Email: info@www.bellwetherstl.org
Website: https://www.bellwetherstl.org/
Office Hours: Meetings by appointment only

Overview

Founded in 1985, the Bellwether Foundation Inc has contributed more than $65 million to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in the St. Louis region. With assets of approximately $70 million, the foundation distributed $6,181,500 in grants during 2024 across 27 awards. The foundation's mission is to promote the ideals and aspirations of its founders by improving the quality of life for all people, primarily in St. Louis, through the support of innovative programs that make a positive impact for present and future generations. The foundation takes a strategic approach to grantmaking, favoring established programs with quantifiable, measurable results and expansions of programs with demonstrated impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Program Support (preferred): Up to $25,000 typical range for program/operating grants
  • General Operations: Support available for core organizational functions
  • Capital Support: Funding available for capital projects
  • Endowment Support: Endowment funding considered
  • Multi-Year Grants: Available for prior grant recipients (payments over two or three years)

Note: Average grant size is approximately $120,897 based on historical data, though typical program/operating grants range up to $25,000.

Priority Areas

Arts & Sciences
Projects that feed creativity and generate new ideas

Cultural Institutions
Organizations that enrich and distinguish the St. Louis community

Education
Quality programs serving underserved populations, spanning early childhood education through post-secondary, with a focus on students in under-served, under-resourced school districts

Environment
Projects protecting the environment's natural resources in the region, with particular emphasis on conservation programs, plant biodiversity, and botanical gardens

The foundation particularly seeks projects that:

  • Support under-resourced or under-represented communities
  • Offer larger scale, measurable impact
  • Implement innovative solutions

What They Don't Fund

  • Field trips
  • Travel expenses
  • Conferences
  • Requests from individuals
  • Housing projects
  • Medical research

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership:

  • Robert B. Smith III - Chairman of the Board
  • Virginia V. Smith - President and Secretary

Major Donors:
Robert B. Smith, Nancy M. Smith, and Wallace H. Smith

All trustees serve in an uncompensated capacity. The foundation operates with a family foundation structure, reflecting the values and aspirations of the founding Smith family members.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: 2025 Grant Cycle - Invitation Only

The Bellwether Foundation is currently accepting applications by invitation only for the 2025 grant cycle. This is a closed application cycle, meaning unsolicited applications are not being accepted at this time.

Future Cycles:
The foundation invites potential applicants to check back in early 2026 for updates on the 2026 grant cycle. When the application cycle reopens, preliminary grant applications should be completed on the foundation's website at https://www.bellwetherstl.org/grants.

Historical Application Process:
When accepting open applications, the foundation uses an online preliminary application system accessible through their website.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines (time from submission to notification) are not publicly disclosed by the foundation.

Success Rates

Grant Activity by Year:

  • 2024: 27 awards totaling $6,181,500
  • 2023: 60 awards
  • 2022: 41 awards
  • Since 2018: 276 individual grants totaling $19,692,990

Specific success rate percentages (ratio of applications to awards) are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation will consider multi-year grants (grant payments over two or three years) for prior grant recipients, suggesting that they value ongoing relationships with effective grantees. Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach, successful applications should:

Demonstrate Measurable Impact
The foundation "favors established programs that have quantifiable, measurable results or expansions of programs with a demonstrated impact." Applications should clearly articulate metrics and outcomes.

Focus on Innovation
The mission emphasizes "support of innovative programs." Highlight what makes your approach new, creative, or different from existing solutions.

Serve Under-Resourced Communities
The foundation prioritizes "projects that support under-resourced or under-represented communities." Clearly identify the populations served and their needs.

Show Scale Potential
The foundation seeks programs that "offer larger scale, measurable impact." Even if starting small, demonstrate how the program can grow or be replicated.

Align with St. Louis Priorities
Primary consideration goes to "qualified 501(c)(3) organizations within the St. Louis community in Missouri." Strong local connections and understanding of regional needs are important.

Emphasize Program Support
While the foundation funds various types of support, "programmatic support" is explicitly noted as preferred over general operations, capital, or endowment requests.

Build on Success
For organizations with prior grants, the foundation's willingness to consider multi-year funding suggests they value demonstrated success and ongoing partnership.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • 2026 Timing: Monitor the foundation's website in early 2026 for updates on when the application cycle reopens, as 2025 is invitation-only
  • St. Louis Focus: Geographic restriction to the St. Louis region is a primary consideration; ensure your organization and program have strong local ties
  • Metrics Matter: Prepare quantifiable, measurable results and demonstrate your program's established track record of impact
  • Innovation + Proven Results: Balance showing innovation with demonstrating that your approach has been tested and works
  • Underserved Populations: Clearly articulate how your program serves under-resourced or under-represented communities in St. Louis
  • Program Over Operations: While general operating support is available, programmatic support is preferred; frame requests around specific program outcomes when possible
  • Relationship Building: With an invitation-only model in 2025 and preference for multi-year grants to prior recipients, building relationships with the foundation is valuable for long-term funding prospects

References

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