Belldegrun Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.6-2 million
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $1,500 - $750,000
• Geographic Focus: California (primary), Pennsylvania, New York

Contact Details

• Website: Not available
• Phone: Not available
• Email: Not available
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Overview

The Belldegrun Family Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation established by physician-entrepreneurs Dr. Rebecka Belldegrun and Dr. Arie Belldegrun. With total assets of approximately $45 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes $1.6-2 million annually through 12-20 grants to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation focuses on advancing education (particularly STEM), supporting arts and culture, and promoting life sciences research. Both founders bring extensive backgrounds in medicine, biotechnology investment, and academic leadership, which strongly influences their philanthropic priorities. The foundation operates exclusively through invitation and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants in the following ranges:

• Major institutional support: $100,000 - $750,000 (for universities and museums)
• Mid-range support: $50,000 - $100,000 (for educational and cultural organizations)
• Smaller grants: $1,500 - $50,000 (for various charitable causes)

Priority Areas

• Education: Higher education institutions with strong STEM programs, life sciences and management programs, career development and mentorship in STEM fields
• Arts & Culture: Museum support and acquisitions, STEAM-based educational programs
• Medical Research: Life sciences research, immunology and immunotherapy, cancer research initiatives
• Human Services: Selected philanthropic and volunteerism initiatives

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly list exclusions, but based on their giving pattern, they do not typically fund:

• Individual scholarships or personal assistance
• General operating support for small nonprofits
• Organizations without existing relationships with the foundation
• Programs outside of California, Pennsylvania, or New York (with rare exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

Dr. Rebecka Belldegrun - Director and President

• President and CEO of Bellco Capital (biotechnology investment firm)
• Trustee at California Institute of Technology (since 2016)
• Trustee at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (since 2009)
• Former chair of the board of trustees at Brentwood School in Los Angeles
• Medical and biotechnology investment background

Dr. Arie Belldegrun - Director and Vice-President

• Director of the UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology
• Professor of urology and chief of the Division of Urologic Oncology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine
• Co-founder of Bellco Capital
• Renowned physician-entrepreneur in cancer research and treatment

Neither director receives compensation for their foundation roles.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Belldegrun Family Foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on existing relationships and strategic alignment with foundation priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's closed application process, organizations may potentially connect through:

• Institutions where the Belldegruns serve as trustees (Caltech, LACMA)
• UCLA medical and research programs where Dr. Arie Belldegrun is affiliated
• Professional networks in biotechnology and life sciences through Bellco Capital
• Participation in initiatives at institutions they already support

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application strategies do not apply. However, organizations that receive funding typically demonstrate:

• Direct institutional relationships with the Belldegruns (board service, professorships, or other governance roles)
• Excellence in STEM education, particularly life sciences and management
• Innovative approaches to combining arts and sciences (STEAM education)
• Location in key geographic areas (Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, New York)
• Alignment with the founders' professional interests in biotechnology, medical research, and innovation

Recent funding examples include:

• Caltech's $2 million grant for expanding career services in STEM fields
• LACMA's $630,000 for STEAM-based educational modules
• University of Pennsylvania's endowed directorship in Life Sciences and Management

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a viable funding source for organizations seeking to submit applications - the foundation only funds preselected organizations
• All grants are made through existing relationships and trustee discretion
• Strong alignment exists between the founders' professional backgrounds in medicine/biotechnology and their philanthropic priorities
• Major recipients are institutions where the Belldegruns have governance roles or deep connections
• The foundation shows multi-year commitment to major institutional partners
• Grant sizes vary significantly based on the relationship and project scope ($1,500 to $750,000)
• Focus remains primarily on California institutions, with secondary emphasis on Pennsylvania and New York

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings for Belldegrun Family Foundation (EIN: 47-5149323), accessed February 2025
• Charity Navigator profile for Belldegrun Family Foundation Inc, accessed February 2025
• Caltech announcement: "Belldegruns Give $2 Million to Expand Career Services" (November 2024)
• LACMA Collectors Committee Weekend 2024 announcement and historical giving records
• University of Pennsylvania - Rebecka and Arie Belldegrun Distinguished Directorship announcement
• California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy founding donors announcement (January 2024)
• Grantmakers.io and Instrumentl foundation profiles, accessed February 2025
• Cause IQ foundation analysis, accessed February 2025