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Biella Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.3M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,286,093 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $400,000
  • Geographic Focus: Washington State (primary), with emphasis on Seattle area

Contact Details

Phone: 425-829-1311
Address: 10709 Beardslee Blvd Ste 201, Bothell, WA 98011-3280
Website: None
Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website

Overview

The Biella Foundation was incorporated in Washington State in 1988 by Italian immigrant and real estate developer Mart Bert (1914-2009), who earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Washington and built numerous apartment buildings throughout Seattle. The foundation operated on a limited basis until becoming fully funded after Bert's death in 2009, and has since distributed nearly $2.7 million to support over 2,000 students and numerous organizations. With total assets of approximately $59.3 million, the foundation focuses on education (particularly Washington's public institutions), homelessness and mental health services, Christian organizations, and disaster relief. The foundation is led by President James R. Wolfe and Vice President Joan (Joni) Wolfe, and follows Mart Bert's philanthropic philosophy of "education, hard work, and self-sufficiency" coupled with "great empathy for the unfortunate and disadvantaged."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community College Scholarship Program: $11,000 per college annually

  • All 34 Washington State community and technical colleges receive annual grants
  • Funds used for student scholarships and emergency aid
  • Administered through South Seattle College Foundation

Institutional Grants: $2,000 - $400,000

  • Washington public universities
  • Social service organizations
  • Christian ministries
  • Amounts vary based on organizational needs and foundation priorities

Priority Areas

Higher Education

  • Washington's public institutions are the primary focus
  • Recent recipients include University of Washington, Washington State University, Central Washington University, Western Washington University, Eastern Washington University, and South Seattle College
  • All 34 Washington State community and technical colleges

Homelessness and Human Services

  • Organizations supporting vulnerable populations in Seattle area
  • Recent recipients include Solid Ground Washington, LifeWire, Real Escape from the Sex Trade, Recovery Cafe, Treehouse (foster youth support)
  • Regional organizations including Vision House of Renton, Rescue Mission of Tacoma, HopeLink of Redmond, and Sophia Way of Bellevue

Christian Organizations

  • Christa Ministries
  • Seattle's Union Gospel Mission
  • Prison Fellowship Ministries

Community Service and Disaster Relief

  • Organizations addressing pressing needs in local communities
  • Disaster management initiatives

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly list specific exclusions, but their focus areas suggest they prioritize Washington State organizations, particularly those serving education, homelessness, and vulnerable populations.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel (2024):

  • James R. Wolfe, President (Compensation: $135,995)
  • Joan (Joni) Wolfe, Vice President (Compensation: $147,437)
  • Verne Jay Todd, Treasurer (Compensation: $75,204)
  • Raymond Curry, Secretary (Compensation: $46,850)
  • Megan Santos, Manager (Compensation: $86,531)

The foundation's leadership continues the philanthropic vision of founder Mart Bert, who believed in "education, hard work, and self-sufficiency" and had "great empathy for the unfortunate and disadvantaged." Bert was known for anonymously helping individuals and families suffering personal hardships, often scanning newspapers and TV for stories about those in need and sending anonymous checks.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Biella Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations chosen by the trustees.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the foundation's mission and the founder's philanthropic values. Organizations are typically selected by the board members rather than through an open application process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's board of trustees.

Success Rates

Not applicable, as the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. Organizations with existing relationships may receive recurring annual support (as evidenced by the ongoing annual grants to all Washington community colleges).

Application Success Factors

Since the Biella Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, reviewing their funding patterns reveals what the foundation values:

Educational Impact: The foundation's largest commitment is to Washington public higher education institutions, particularly community colleges where they provide consistent annual support. They have distributed nearly $2.7 million to support over 2,000 students since 2015.

Serving Vulnerable Populations: Organizations addressing homelessness, mental health, foster youth, domestic violence, and human trafficking align with the founder's belief in helping "the unfortunate and disadvantaged."

Washington State Focus: The overwhelming majority of grants support Washington-based organizations, reflecting Mart Bert's Seattle roots and his commitment to local community support.

Founder's Values: Organizations embodying "education, hard work, and self-sufficiency" while serving those facing hardships align with Mart Bert's documented philosophy. He lived conservatively himself while generously helping individuals and families in crisis.

Long-term Relationships: The foundation demonstrates commitment to ongoing partnerships, as evidenced by annual grants to all Washington community colleges and repeated support to certain organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: The Biella Foundation operates exclusively through trustee selection and does not accept unsolicited proposals, making direct application impossible
  • Washington State priority: Focus heavily on building relationships with Washington-based organizations, particularly those serving Seattle and surrounding communities
  • Education emphasis: Community colleges and public universities in Washington receive the lion's share of funding, with systematic support for all 34 state community colleges
  • Social services alignment: Organizations addressing homelessness, mental health, foster care, and vulnerable populations align with the foundation's documented priorities
  • Founder's legacy: Understanding Mart Bert's personal values—education, self-sufficiency, and compassionate support for those facing hardship—provides insight into what moves the board
  • Existing relationships matter: The foundation's pattern of recurring grants suggests that once an organization is in their portfolio, continued support is possible
  • Broad grant range: Awards span from $2,000 to $400,000, indicating flexibility based on organizational needs and project scope

References

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