Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$2.3 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 4-5 months
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $600,000
• Geographic Focus: National (continental US only)

Contact Details

• Website: www.baerfoundation.com
• Phone: (314) 418-2682
• Mailing Address: C/O U.S. Bank, Private Wealth Management, 1 North Brentwood Blvd, Suite 1400, St. Louis, MO 63105
• Application Portal: Foundant/Grant Interface online portal (accessed via the foundation's Apply page)

Overview

The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation was established in 1999 by Sidney R. Baer, Jr., a member of the family that co-founded the Stix Baer & Fuller department store chain. Sidney lived with schizophrenia throughout his life and established the foundation to alleviate the suffering of those afflicted with serious mental illness. Upon his death in 2002, he bequeathed an estate of approximately $50 million to the foundation. Over more than 23 years of operation, the foundation has awarded more than $50 million in grants.

The foundation is a private independent 501(c)(3) trust, currently holding assets of approximately $30.7 million, with approximately $2.3 million distributed annually through 22-50 grants. The foundation pioneered the first U.S. Integrated Home Health Model for people living with mental illness, a direct result of a 2011 grant to Fountain House in New York.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation organizes its grantmaking around five thematic areas:

• Clinical Research Grants: $5,000 - $600,000 (Support for research into schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with emphasis on cognitive and behavioral sciences)
• Education Grants: Support for programs enabling individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to access education
• Criminal Justice Grants: Support for organizations at the intersection of mental illness and the criminal justice system
• Reintegration Grants: Support for community reintegration programs helping individuals live independently
• Social Support Grants: Support for advocacy and peer support organizations working to reduce stigma

All grants are made through a single annual grant cycle, with applications submitted online via Foundant portal.

Priority Areas

• Schizophrenia (including schizoaffective disorder) and bipolar disorder - these are the only conditions funded
• Organizations with demonstrated track records in the five thematic areas
• Innovative projects improving quality of life for people with these conditions
• National scope within continental US

What They Don't Fund

• International activities or foreign charitable institutions
• Direct grants to individuals
• Current operating funds or annual fundraising drives
• Endowments
• Intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, or addiction (even if co-occurring)
• Private foundations or 509(a)(3) supporting organizations
• Organizations whose administrative expenses exceed 7% of the grant
• Any charitable need outside the foundation's specific mental health mission

Governance and Leadership

George B. Handran - Co-Trustee (founding), Sidney Baer's personal attorney who helped establish the foundation in 1999. Notable quote on a $225,000 grant to the Saks Institute: "Elyn is truly an inspiration... If we can't afford to fund her institute, we are not serious about schizophrenia."

Lee Bearman - Co-Executive Director, served nine years as an advisor to the Foundation's Grantmaking Committee under Handran's mentorship.

Lee Rodgers - Co-Executive Director, also served nine years as an advisor before taking current role.

Scott Schmid - Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, brings 25+ years of financial services experience.

U.S. Bank N.A. - Institutional Trustee.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Two-stage application process with single annual grant cycle:

Stage 1 - Letter of Intent (LOI)

• LOI window: November 1 - March 1 (10:00 pm CST deadline)
• Submit through Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation U.S. Bank N.A. Trustee Online Portal
• New applicants must create new account each year

Stage 2 - Full Grant Application (by invitation only)

• Invitations issued by early May
• Full applications due: May 31
• Submitted through Foundant online portal

Decision Timeline

• Total time from LOI to award decision: approximately 4-5 months
• Award notifications: Before July 1 (start of fiscal year)
• Progress reports due: June 30 (following year)

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2024, 35 grants totaling $2,462,039 were made (average ~$70,000). In 2023, 22 grants were made with median of $68,000. The 2025 cycle lists 50 recipients.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply each year regardless of prior outcome. No waiting period for unsuccessful applicants. Current grantees may also reapply.

Application Success Factors

Based on foundation guidance and grant history:

• Specificity to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is non-negotiable - These must be the primary focus, not one of many conditions served
• Align clearly with one of five thematic areas - Use foundation's own language and terminology
• Demonstrate tangible impact - Foundation values systemic, measurable outcomes
• Keep administrative costs under 7% - Strictly enforced cap
• Review Impact Gallery before applying - Foundation explicitly recommends this to understand what funded projects look like
• Institutional credibility matters - Both academic institutions and community organizations are funded, but track record is valued
• Geographic clustering - While national in scope, grants cluster in Boston, New York, and St. Louis areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder only - This is the single most important filter; broad mental health programs will not be funded
• Two-stage process, one annual cycle - LOI window November 1 to March 1; miss this and wait a full year
• Wide grant range ($5,000-$600,000) - Both large research institutions and small community organizations have been funded
• Annual reapplication permitted - No penalty for previous declines; current grantees may also reapply
• Strict 7% admin cost cap - Budget grant request to stay firmly within this limit
• New account required each year - Don't use prior year credentials for LOI stage
• Personal connection valued - Organizations led by or serving individuals with lived experience resonate with foundation's origins

References

1. Baer Foundation Official Website - Homepage, Grants, Apply, People, Impact, FAQs, Recipients pages. www.baerfoundation.com. Accessed February 2026.

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sidney R Baer Jr Foundation 990-PF filings (2024, 2023, 2022). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/436829338. Accessed February 2026.

3. Charity Navigator - Sidney R Baer Jr Foundation profile (EIN 43-6829338). https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/436829338. Accessed February 2026.

4. Instrumentl - Sidney R Baer Jr Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/sidney-r-baer-jr-foundation. Accessed February 2026.

5. USC Gould School of Law - "Saks Institute Receives $225,000 Grant from Baer Foundation." https://gould.usc.edu/news/saks-institute-receives-225000-grant-from-baer-foundation/. Accessed February 2026.

6. Inside Philanthropy - Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation funder profile. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-b/sidney-r-baer-jr-foundation. Accessed February 2026.

7. GrantStation - The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation profile. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/sidney-r-baer-jr. Accessed February 2026.