Behring Global Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $102,377 (2022)
• Total Assets: $89,546 (2022)
• Total Expenses: $102,377 (2022)
• Geographic Focus: Global (with emphasis on Asia, United States)
• Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Website: https://bgefoundation.org/

Email: info@bgefoundation.org

Phone: (877) 378-3839 or (925) 736-8234

Address: 3820 Blackhawk Road, Danville, California, 94506, USA

Overview

Behring Global Educational Foundation (BGEF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organisation founded by Kenneth E. Behring, who passed away in 2019. The foundation arose from the success of the Wheelchair Foundation, established in 2000, when Behring decided to combine his philanthropic pursuits under one umbrella organisation. BGEF is dedicated to improving "education, health and well-being of individuals globally by providing comprehensive, needs-based solutions enabled by innovative and proven business models and technologies." The foundation operates multiple major programmes including the Wheelchair Foundation, Blackhawk Museum, International Museums Partnership, National History Day, Global Natural History Day, and the Principal Leadership Institute at UC Berkeley. The foundation is currently led by President David Behring, one of Kenneth Behring's sons, who has pledged to carry on his father's philanthropic mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

BGEF does not have structured grant programmes with defined funding ranges. The foundation makes strategic grants across its priority areas and operates its own programmes. Based on historical records, the foundation's annual giving has ranged from approximately $86,000 to $121,000 in recent years (2020-2022).

Priority Areas

Education: History education for middle and high school students; principal leadership training; museum education programmes; natural history education

Health: Healthcare facilities and cancer treatment centres; wheelchair provision for people with physical disabilities; vision care; water access

Museums: Natural history museum development and exhibitions; international museum partnerships, particularly in Asia; specimen donations and exhibit preparation

Food Security: Support for food banks and anti-hunger initiatives

Disability Services: Wheelchair distribution in developing nations; mobility and freedom for people with physical disabilities

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's funding exclusions are not publicly documented. Based on their stated focus areas, BGEF appears to concentrate exclusively on their established programme areas rather than accepting unsolicited proposals across diverse causes.

Governance and Leadership

David Behring serves as President of the Behring Global Educational Foundation. He is one of Kenneth Behring's four sons and a Princeton alumnus. David, along with his brother Jeff and dedicated staff and volunteers, has pledged to continue Kenneth Behring's philanthropic mission.

Stephen Beinke is also listed as President in correspondence with international museum partners, suggesting a co-leadership or division of responsibilities.

The foundation's current board composition is not publicly disclosed in available sources.

Kenneth E. Behring (1928-2019), the founder, was a real estate developer and philanthropist who established the Wheelchair Foundation in 2000. He was known for hands-on philanthropy, personally delivering wheelchairs and witnessing the impact of his giving. Major legacy gifts include $20 million to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in 1997.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. BGEF makes grants through trustee discretion, pre-existing relationships, and strategic initiatives identified by foundation leadership. The foundation operates its own programmes (Wheelchair Foundation, Blackhawk Museum, etc.) and makes strategic grants to institutions and causes aligned with the Behring family's philanthropic vision.

Grants appear to be awarded through:

• Foundation-initiated relationships: The foundation identifies organisations and causes that align with its mission
• Institutional partnerships: Long-term relationships with major institutions like the Smithsonian, UC Berkeley, and natural history museums
• Programme operations: Direct delivery of services through foundation-operated programmes like the Wheelchair Foundation

Organisations interested in partnership may contact the foundation directly using the contact information above, though there is no guarantee of consideration without an established relationship or alignment with current strategic priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on an application cycle. Grant decisions appear to be made on an ongoing basis by foundation leadership based on strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since BGEF does not accept unsolicited applications, gaining funding requires alignment with the foundation's existing strategic priorities and programmes. Based on analysis of their mission and programmes:

Alignment with Core Mission Areas: The foundation focuses closely on established priorities in education (particularly history education and museum education), health (especially cancer treatment and disability services), food security, and museum development.

Institutional Credibility: The foundation has historical relationships with well-established institutions with strong reputations, including the Smithsonian Institution, UC Berkeley, and natural history museums globally.

Local and Global Balance: The foundation maintains both local California connections and global reach (particularly Asian museum partnerships, worldwide wheelchair distribution).

Long-term Partnership Potential: The foundation supports ongoing relationships rather than one-time projects. The International Museums Partnership has been operating for over two decades; the Wheelchair Foundation is a continuous operation.

Measurable Impact: Funded projects have clear, quantifiable outcomes - number of wheelchairs delivered, number of meals provided, number of principals trained, museum exhibitions opened.

Connection to Behring Legacy: Projects that continue Kenneth Behring's established philanthropic interests appear most likely to receive support, particularly wheelchair delivery, natural history museums, and history education.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - BGEF operates through trustee discretion and strategic initiatives rather than competitive grant programmes
• Focus is tightly aligned with Behring family interests: history education, natural history museums, wheelchair distribution, cancer treatment, food security
• Geographic sweet spot: California-based organisations and Asian museum partnerships appear to have strongest connections
• Institutional partnerships valued - the foundation works with established, credible organisations with capacity for long-term collaboration
• Direct service delivery preferred - the foundation operates many programmes directly rather than solely funding external organisations
• Contact the foundation directly if your organisation has a strong alignment with their mission areas, but understand that funding is discretionary and relationship-based rather than application-driven

References

• Behring Global Educational Foundation official website: https://bgefoundation.org/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Behring Global Educational Foundation About Us page: https://bgefoundation.org/about-us/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Behring Global Educational Foundation News page: https://bgefoundation.org/news/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Behring Global Educational Foundation Contact page: https://bgefoundation.org/contact/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/844053692 (Accessed December 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - BGEF: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/844053692 (Accessed December 2025)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/world-education-foundation-0a50ff4d-57f0-4f08-9f42-495776429b22 (Accessed December 2025)
• Wheelchair Foundation History: https://wheelchairfoundation.org/about/history/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Kenneth Behring Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_E._Behring (Accessed December 2025)