Bently Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $770,916 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $4,000 - $250,000
• Geographic Focus: California, Washington, Virginia (with international reach)

Contact Details

• Website: bentlyfoundation.org
• Phone: 775-783-4612
• Email: Contact form available on website
• Address: 1597 Esmeralda Ave, Minden, NV 89423-4001

Overview

Founded in 2012, the Bently Foundation is a private foundation with approximately $39.4 million in assets that promotes creativity, sustainability, and animal rights. The foundation makes strategic grants averaging $40,128 to preselected charitable organizations, with annual giving ranging from $667,313 to over $4 million depending on the year. Led by founder Christopher P. Bently and Executive Director Camille Bently, the foundation takes a hands-on approach to philanthropy, often providing matching grants and multi-year funding to create measurable impact. The foundation operates independently from Bently family enterprises and focuses primarily on California, Washington, and Virginia, though it also supports international conservation efforts in Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs with open application periods. Instead, they provide:

• Project Grants: $4,000 - $250,000 for specific initiatives
• Matching/Challenge Grants: Often 1:1 matching to leverage additional funding
• Multi-Year Commitments: Extended support for long-term projects
• Unrestricted Operating Support: Flexible funding for core operations

Priority Areas

Arts

• Bay Area arts promotion and preservation
• Support for new and performance artists
• Music, installations, and street art
• Classical ballet to contemporary works
• Projects promoting social awareness

Environment

• Habitat preservation and restoration
• Ocean and natural resource conservation
• Sustainable living practices promotion
• Tidal wetland restoration
• Alpine ecosystem projects

Animal Welfare

• Wild animal habitat protection
• Endangered species conservation
• Animal rescue and rehabilitation
• Anti-poaching initiatives
• Wildlife fertility control programs

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus excludes:

• Health and medical research
• Traditional education institutions (except arts education)
• Religious organizations
• Individual assistance
• Organizations outside their three core focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Christopher P. Bently - President/Founder: Musician and sound producer with a passion for architecture and historic building restoration. Founded Bently Holdings in 2001.

Camille Bently - Executive Director: Leads the foundation's strategic direction with focus on environmental protection, wildlife conservation, and arts support. Known for hands-on philanthropic approach. Quote: "Philanthropy is really changing. People want to be involved and hands-on instead of writing the same check every year."

Board of Directors (9 members total):

• Nicholas Hinkell - Assistant Director (environmental focus)
• Jeff Jarboe - Treasurer (CPA with 40 years finance experience)
• Karen Craig - Secretary (recognized "Civic Leader of the Year")
• Jennifer Raiser - Director (writer and Burning Man board member)
• Additional directors with expertise in sustainability, finance, and management

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organizations are identified and invited by the foundation's board based on strategic alignment with their mission.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grant history and approach, organizations may increase visibility through:

• Working in the Lake Tahoe region where multiple Bently-funded projects operate
• Collaborating with current grantees like American Rivers, Save the Bay, or Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care
• Participating in Bay Area arts scene events where board members are active
• Leading high-impact environmental or wildlife conservation projects in California/Nevada
• Demonstrating ability to leverage matching grants and create measurable outcomes
• Building relationships with board members who are active in San Francisco philanthropic circles

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grant decisions appear to be made throughout the year based on board discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Application Success Factors

Based on funded projects and leadership statements:

• Measurable Impact: Projects like American Rivers' work leveraging $50,000 to access $8.75M in government grants
• Gap Filling: Camille Bently stated focus on "organizations that rely on government grants that might not be funded that we can't live without"
• Collaborative Partnerships: Multiple examples of co-funding with other foundations (e.g., MH Buckeye partnership for Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care)
• Leverage Potential: Preference for matching grants that multiply impact
• Long-term Vision: Multi-year commitments like the three-year Sugar Pine Foundation grant
• Innovation: Support for projects like the Nevada Wild Horse Fertility Control program administering birth control to 1,000+ mares

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only foundation - no public application process; relationship building essential
• Strategic focus on high-impact projects that create measurable change in arts, environment, and animal welfare
• Geographic sweet spot: Bay Area arts, California/Nevada environmental work, Lake Tahoe region projects
• Matching grants common - be prepared to demonstrate ability to leverage their funding
• Hands-on approach preferred - they want to be involved partners, not just check writers
• Fill critical gaps - particularly interested in organizations facing government funding cuts
• Wide grant range ($4K-$250K) shows flexibility for both small targeted and major initiatives

References

1. Bently Foundation Official Website (bentlyfoundation.org) - About, Grants, Contact, and Leadership pages. Accessed February 13, 2026.

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990 filings (2019-2024). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/383886828

3. Cause IQ Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/bently-foundation,383886828/

4. Instrumentl 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/bently-foundation

5. Foundation Directory (Candid). https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=BENT434

6. San Francisco Chronicle (2017). "The Bride of Bently: the marriage of passion, purpose and philanthropy" - Quotes from Camille Bently.

7. American Wild Horse Conservation. "The Bride of Bently: Passion, Purpose, and Philanthropy." https://americanwildhorse.org/stories/the-bride-of-bently-passion-purpose-and-philanthropy-6043

8. South Tahoe Now (November 22, 2021). Article on matching grant for Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.

9. Individual grant recipient pages on bentlyfoundation.org documenting specific project details and grant amounts.