The Linda and Lenny Bell Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filing says the foundation is by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so your organisation should not send it an unprompted application and should look for an introduction instead.
- About 8 in 10 of its grants to organisations fall between $10,000 and $300,000, and across its filings half of its 71 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less, so a modest request in that region fits its usual pattern; its largest grant, $950,000, shows the band is not a ceiling.
- The work it supports includes general support, voter engagement and civic initiatives, Jewish community institutions and congregations, health providers, educational institutions and conservation.
- It states no geographic focus, though its grants cluster in District of Columbia, Maryland, Connecticut, Illinois and Massachusetts, which describes past grants rather than a rule about who may apply.
- Because in its latest filing 75% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had funded in earlier filings, relationships matter, so expect a slow, relationship-led route rather than a quick response.
Overview
The Linda and Lenny Bell Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Wilmington, DE.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filings record a wide-ranging pattern of support rather than a single named field. General and unrestricted support is the most frequent stated purpose, alongside targeted support for voter engagement and civic initiatives. Grant recipients include Jewish community institutions and congregations, civic and voting organisations, hospitals and other health providers, educational institutions, and conservation-related organisations. Other recorded purposes include building projects, ambulance and medical supplies, community programmes, safety and security, and emergency relief. Many grants are recorded for general support rather than a specified project.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in District of Columbia, Maryland, Connecticut, Illinois and Massachusetts.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 75% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 71 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
4 other states: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 20% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 75% of grant dollars went to organisations The Linda and Lenny Bell Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 58% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 23 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- America Votes Education Fund · General & Unrestricted$950,0002024 tax year
- Secure Community Network · General & Unrestricted$500,0002024 tax year
- New Venture Fund · Voter Engagement Fund - Culture of Voting Initiative$400,0002024 tax year
- Prime Coalition · General & Unrestricted$263,5092024 tax year
- American Independent Foundation · General & Unrestricted$200,0002024 tax year
- New Venture Fund · Civic Responsibility Project$100,0002024 tax year
- Florida Alliance for Civic Engagement · General & Unrestricted$75,0002024 tax year
- Congregation B'nai Jacob · Building Fund$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Linda Bell — Co-Trustee
- Leonard Bell — Co-Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,254,651 | $3,115,000 | $54,418,464 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,929,133 | $1,648,300 | $64,309,122 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $3,125,082 | $2,641,309 | $76,058,547 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
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.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Linda and Lenny Bell Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Wilmington, DE
Applying to The Linda and Lenny Bell Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Wilmington, DE