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Blue Horizons Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.2M

Blue Horizons Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5.2 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: National (grants awarded in Colorado, California, and other locations)
  • Total Assets: $239.7 million (2024)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: Gorham, Maine

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information. Direct contact details are not publicly available.

Overview

The Blue Horizons Foundation was established in 2021 and received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in March 2022. The foundation is a private family foundation led by trustees Joshua Bekenstein (co-chairman of Bain Capital), Anita Bekenstein, and Kathleen McDonough. With total assets of $239.7 million as of 2024, the foundation has rapidly scaled its grantmaking activities from $1,500 in 2022 to $545,107 in 2023 and $5.2 million in 2024. In December 2024, the foundation appointed Dr. Jane Flegal as Executive Director, signaling a significant expansion and formalization of its philanthropic operations. Dr. Flegal brings extensive experience in climate policy and philanthropy, having previously served as Market Development and Policy Lead at Stripe Climate and Frontier, Senior Director for Industrial Emissions at the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy, and Director of the US Climate Program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not maintain publicly defined grant programs or funding categories. Grantmaking appears to be conducted at the discretion of the trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on the appointment of Dr. Jane Flegal as Executive Director and the philanthropic interests of the Bekenstein family, the foundation's areas of interest likely include:

  • Climate Change and Environmental Solutions: Dr. Flegal's extensive background in climate policy, carbon removal, and climate innovation suggests this is a primary focus area
  • Education and Youth Development: Joshua Bekenstein's documented philanthropy through other vehicles includes support for KIPP Schools, Teach for America, City Year, and Year Up
  • Poverty Alleviation: The Bekenstein family has stated they have "divided the world into three areas we thought we might be able to contribute in," including inner-city poverty and education
  • Healthcare: Joshua Bekenstein chairs the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute board, indicating interest in healthcare causes

The foundation has funded projects in diverse geographic locations including Basalt, Colorado, and San Francisco, California, indicating national scope.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees (all serve without compensation):

  • Joshua Bekenstein: Co-chairman of Bain Capital since 2016 and one of the firm's first employees hired in 1984. Bekenstein serves on multiple nonprofit boards including the Environmental Defense Fund, Yale University Corporation (as Senior Fellow), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (as chair), and the Southern Poverty Law Center. According to Bridgespan, Bekenstein noted that the Bekensteins have "divided the world into three areas we thought we might be able to contribute in," including inner-city poverty and education, environmental issues, and healthcare.

  • Anita Bekenstein: Co-trustee and philanthropic partner in the foundation's work.

  • Kathleen McDonough: Co-trustee.

Executive Leadership:

  • Dr. Jane Flegal, Executive Director (appointed December 2024): Dr. Flegal is a social scientist whose research focuses on the intersections of science, innovation, and social outcomes in the context of climate change. She was named one of Vox's Future Perfect 50 in 2023, recognizing thought leaders working to make the world a better place. Prior to joining Blue Horizons Foundation, Dr. Flegal spent nearly three years as Market Development and Policy Lead at Stripe Climate and Frontier (a more than $1 billion advance market commitment to purchase permanent carbon dioxide removal), served as Senior Director for Industrial Emissions at the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy, directed the US Climate Program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and led the Environment Program at the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust. She holds a doctorate from UC Berkeley and has been an Oxford Martin Visiting Fellow.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, Blue Horizons Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or maintain publicly available application guidelines, deadlines, or online portals.

Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and leadership direction, likely to organizations identified through the trustees' and executive director's networks and strategic philanthropic priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private nature without a public application process, success in receiving funding would likely depend on:

  • Alignment with climate solutions and innovation: Dr. Flegal's expertise and career focus on climate policy, carbon removal, industrial emissions reduction, and climate innovation suggests the foundation prioritizes cutting-edge climate solutions
  • Connection to trustees' networks: Joshua Bekenstein's board positions at Environmental Defense Fund and involvement in education and healthcare causes may inform grantmaking priorities
  • Evidence-based approaches: Dr. Flegal's academic background and research focus on the intersection of science, innovation, and social outcomes suggests preference for data-driven interventions
  • Strategic relationship building: As with most private foundations without public applications, relationships with trustees, the executive director, or organizations they support may create pathways for funding consideration

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists: This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications
  • Climate focus is emerging: The December 2024 appointment of Dr. Jane Flegal as Executive Director signals a likely emphasis on climate solutions, carbon removal, and environmental innovation
  • Rapidly growing grantmaking: The foundation has scaled from $1,500 in grants (2022) to $5.2 million (2024), indicating expansion of philanthropic activities
  • High-level leadership expertise: Dr. Flegal's credentials from the White House, Stripe Climate, and Hewlett Foundation suggest the foundation will pursue sophisticated, impact-oriented climate philanthropy
  • Family foundation structure: The Bekenstein family maintains direct governance, suggesting grantmaking decisions reflect their personal philanthropic vision across climate, education, poverty alleviation, and healthcare
  • Strategic approach: With $239.7 million in assets and an executive director with deep climate policy expertise, the foundation appears positioned to play a significant role in climate philanthropy
  • Network-based grantmaking: Organizations connected to the trustees' existing philanthropic networks, Dr. Flegal's professional relationships, or boards on which the Bekensteins serve may be more likely to receive consideration

References

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