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Behring Global Educational Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.0M
Grant Range
Up to $20.0M00
00

Behring Global Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,013,545 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 21 grants (2023)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from wheelchair deliveries to multi-million dollar institutional gifts
  • 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 organization 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 organization. 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 programs including the Wheelchair Foundation, Blackhawk Museum, International Museums Partnership, National History Day, Global Natural History Day, and the Principal Leadership Institute at UC Berkeley. In 2023, BGEF distributed over $4 million in grants across 21 awards. 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 Programs

BGEF does not have structured grant programs with defined funding ranges. Instead, the foundation makes strategic grants across its priority areas, ranging from large-scale institutional gifts to program-specific support:

  • Major Institutional Gifts: Multi-million dollar donations to healthcare facilities, museums, and universities (e.g., $20 million to John Muir Health Cancer Center in 2023)
  • Educational Initiatives: Support for history education programs and principal training (e.g., $1.9 million to National History Day in 2023; $7.5 million to UC Berkeley for the Principal Leadership Institute)
  • Community Support: Food security and humanitarian aid (e.g., $125,000 to Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano in 2023; $500,000 matching challenge in 2022)
  • Wheelchair Distribution: Ongoing global wheelchair delivery program through the Wheelchair Foundation (27,899 wheelchairs delivered in 2022)
  • Museum Partnerships: Support for natural history museums globally, particularly in Asia

Priority Areas

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

Health: Healthcare facilities and cancer treatment centers; 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 funding patterns, BGEF appears to focus exclusively on their established program 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 programs (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 organizations and causes that align with its mission
  • Institutional partnerships: Long-term relationships with major institutions like the Smithsonian, UC Berkeley, John Muir Health, and natural history museums
  • Program operations: Direct delivery of services through foundation-operated programs like the Wheelchair Foundation

Organizations 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 programs. Based on analysis of their recent grant-making:

Alignment with Core Mission Areas: All funded organizations and programs align closely with BGEF's established priorities in education (particularly history education and museum education), health (especially cancer treatment and disability services), food security, and museum development.

Institutional Credibility: Recent major grants have gone to well-established institutions with strong reputations: John Muir Health/UCSF Cancer Center, National History Day, UC Berkeley, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Smithsonian Institution.

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

Long-term Partnership Potential: Many grants support 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; the Principal Leadership Institute represents sustained support to UC Berkeley.

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 programs
  • Focus is tightly aligned with Behring family interests: history education, natural history museums, wheelchair distribution, cancer treatment, food security
  • Grant sizes vary dramatically - from matching donations in the hundreds of thousands to institutional gifts of $20 million
  • Geographic sweet spot: California-based organizations and Asian museum partnerships appear to have strongest connections
  • Institutional partnerships valued - major grants go to established, credible organizations with capacity for long-term collaboration
  • Direct service delivery preferred - the foundation operates many programs directly rather than solely funding external organizations
  • Contact the foundation directly if your organization has a strong alignment with their mission areas, but understand that funding is discretionary and relationship-based rather than application-driven

References

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