BQuest Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- BQuest Foundation's listed themes are renewable energy, carbon emissions reduction, policy advocacy, community resilience and housing equity, so projects in these areas that benefit marginalised or underserved communities are the strongest fit.
- Most of its funding is in philanthropic loans and grant funding is limited, so a grant writer should first consider whether a loan could suit the project.
- Most of its grants fall between $5,000 and $150,000, and the median grant in the filing was $25,000, so a request near that figure sits in the middle of its pattern.
- It prefers shovel-ready projects with organisational support, a project bid or budget, and other funding such as rebates or grants that the project can unlock, so have these ready before submitting a project inquiry, which it accepts on a rolling basis.
- Repeat funding makes up a large share of its grant dollars, so an organisation new to it should not be discouraged, but should expect a more relationship-led process than a returning grantee would.
Overview
BQuest Foundation is a US private foundation based in San Diego, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
BQuest Foundation partners with organisations dedicated to equitable community solutions that reduce carbon emissions, increase renewable energy and advocate for policy changes towards a zero-carbon future. It uses grantmaking and financing for projects and programmes that lower emissions, create more sustainable and resilient communities, and address housing inequities. It has a particular interest in projects across the United States, with an emphasis on California, that benefit marginalised or underserved communities. It favours nonprofit-owned or operated projects that serve their communities, create savings for low- to middle-income families, strengthen climate resilience or unlock other funding. Its project work includes renewable energy, electric-vehicle initiatives, building electrification, energy efficiency and e-bike programmes. Most of its funding is in philanthropic loans, with limited grant funding available.
Themes
- Renewable energy
- Carbon emissions reduction
- Policy advocacy
- Community resilience
- Housing equity
Geographic Focus
Priority: United States; California.
How to apply
Organisations with a potentially eligible project can submit a project inquiry with information about the project. The foundation considers proposals and inquiries that fit its listed description; more of the listed criteria make consideration more likely.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 72% 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 89 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- Projects should reduce fossil-fuel use or build renewable energy resources in a way that benefits marginalised or underserved communities.
- Projects physically located within a marginalised or underserved community are preferred.
- Projects owned or operated by nonprofit organisations should benefit the community they serve.
- Projects that create financial savings for low- to middle-income families and communities are preferred.
- Projects that increase climate resilience in low- to middle-income communities are preferred.
- Projects should unlock or leverage other funding opportunities, such as rebates or grants, when short-term funding is needed.
- Projects should be shovel-ready and have organisational support, project bids or a project budget.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 7%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 3%
- The largest single recipient received 15% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 72% of grant dollars went to organisations BQuest Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 28 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Center for Climate Integrity · General operating support$300,0002024 tax year
- Climate Action Campaign · Support policy action in san diego and ca$250,0002024 tax year
- Building Electrification Institute San Diego · General operating support$250,0002024 tax year
- Maac · Support of ev access project$175,0002024 tax year
- The Childrens Initiative · General operating support$150,0002024 tax year
- Maac · Support of next level project$150,0002024 tax year
- San Ysidro Health · Ev charger installation$81,3632024 tax year
- Bethel AME San Diego Solar · Support affordable housing project$57,8162024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Andrew Ballester — Treasurer / Secretary
- Kara Ballester — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,767,718 | $1,374,436 | $25,088,391 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $2,165,312 | $1,764,666 | $24,976,103 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,349,746 | $1,827,297 | $36,412,275 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to BQuest Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- San Diego, CA
- bquestfoundation.org
Applying to BQuest Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- San Diego, CA
- bquestfoundation.org