Building Bridge Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $974,289 (2021)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Average $28,869
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state (Texas, Alabama, Florida, Kansas, South Dakota)

Contact Details

• Website: None publicly available
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed
• Mailing Address: New Braunfels, TX

Overview

The Building Bridge Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established with assets of approximately $19.6 million. Based in New Braunfels, Texas, the foundation distributed $974,289 in grants to 24 organizations in 2021, demonstrating a consistent commitment to philanthropic giving. The foundation operates as a traditional private foundation, filing Form 990-PF annually and making grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations across multiple states. Their mission focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations to further their tax-exempt purposes, with particular emphasis on human services and youth development programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grant program:

• General Grants: Average $28,869 per grant (based on $974,289 distributed across 24 organizations in 2021)
• No specific named programs or funding streams identified

Priority Areas

• Human Services
• Youth Development
• General support for qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions documented in available sources

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led by:

• President: Preston W. Atkinson
• Secretary: Malori Sapio
• Treasurer: Robin L. Atkinson

All officers serve on a voluntary basis without compensation. The foundation maintains a small, family-style governance structure typical of private foundations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Building Bridge Foundation operates as a private foundation without a public website or published grant guidelines. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and invitation only, based on relationships with the foundation's leadership.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on analysis of their giving patterns:

• The foundation has funded organizations across Texas (particularly in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio), as well as in Alabama, Florida, Kansas, and South Dakota
• Organizations can review the foundation's Form 990-PF filings on ProPublica to identify previously funded organizations and look for connection points
• Building relationships with the Atkinson family leadership may be essential for consideration
• Previous grant recipients may provide introductions or insights into the foundation's interests

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Not publicly available - the foundation awarded 24 grants in 2021 and 17 grants in 2020

Reapplication Policy

No information available

Application Success Factors

Without a public application process, success factors are inferred from giving patterns:

• Organizations in the foundation's geographic focus areas (Texas and select other states) appear to have higher likelihood of support
• Human services and youth development organizations align with identified priorities
• The foundation's consistent annual giving suggests they maintain ongoing relationships with funded organizations
• Average grant size of approximately $29,000 suggests the foundation focuses on meaningful but not transformational grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Building Bridge Foundation is an active private foundation with nearly $20 million in assets and approximately $1 million in annual giving
• Without a public application process, relationship building is essential for accessing these funds
• The foundation appears to support a diverse portfolio of organizations rather than concentrating grants
• Geographic presence in Texas (particularly San Antonio, Austin, Houston areas) may improve chances of consideration
• Review their IRS Form 990-PF filings to understand giving patterns and identify potential connection points
• Average grant size suggests requesting amounts in the $20,000-40,000 range may be most appropriate

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Building Bridge Foundation Profile. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/843631169
• Charity Navigator - Building Bridge Foundation Overview. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/843631169
• Cause IQ - Building Bridge Foundation Analysis. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/building-bridge-foundation,843631169/
• Grantable.co - Building Bridge Foundation Funder Profile. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/building-bridge-foundation-us-foundation-843631169
• Instrumentl - Building Bridge Foundation 990 Report. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/building-bridge-foundation
• IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020-2021) via ProPublica