B Quest is a private independent foundation based in San Diego, California, established in 2016. The foundation uses creative grantmaking and impact investing strategies to support projects and programs addressing climate change, renewable energy, sustainable communities, and housing inequities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$34.6M
+62.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+3.5% YoY
Grant Count
28
-22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$65K
+33.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, B Quest reported a distributable amount of $3.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
B Quest partners with organizations dedicated to creating equitable community solutions for reducing carbon emissions, increasing renewable energy, and advocating for policy changes towards a zero-carbon future.
The foundation's primary focus areas include:
- Clean Energy & Renewable Energy: Solar installations and renewable energy projects for nonprofits and marginalized communities
- Climate Action: Supporting organizations working on carbon emissions reduction and climate policy advocacy
- Sustainable Communities: Building resilient communities through energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives
- Housing Inequities: Addressing housing-related challenges and homelessness
Grantmaking
B Quest employs creative financing mechanisms beyond traditional grants, including:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
B Quest funds projects across 18 states in the United States, including California, New York, Texas, and other states. The foundation supports initiatives in major cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Boston, as well as smaller communities.
Recent project locations include:
- Antioch, California (Delta Learning Center)
- Carlsbad, California (Pilgrim United Church and Preschool)
- Keene, New Hampshire (Sophia's Hearth)
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $34.6 million
- Total Revenue: $6.68 million
- Total Expenses: $2.35 million
- Net Income: $4.33 million
- Total Liabilities: $10 million
- Net Assets: $24.57 million
Grant Distribution:
- Annual grants awarded: $1.8 million (2024)
- Expense ratio: 74.1% of total revenue spent on programs
- Average grant size: $209
Staffing:
- 2 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,573,509 | $21,260,359 | $20,503,953 |
| Revenue | $6,681,134 | $2,921,718 | $1,592,810 |
| Expenses | $2,349,746 | $2,165,312 | $1,767,718 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $20,497,082 | $8,058,081 | $6,687,971 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,694,763 | $2,834,463 | $1,475,511 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,706,517 | $3,099,374 | $3,521,693 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
135 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Center for Climate Integrity ($300,000), Building Electrification Institute San Diego ($250,000), Climate Action Campaign ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BETHEL AME SAN DIEGO SOLAR SAN DIEGO, CA | SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT | $57,816 |
| BIODIVERSITY FUNDERS GROUP SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION INSTITUTE SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| CASA FAMILIAR SAN YSIDRO, CA | SOLAR INSTALLATION | $50,000 |
| CENTER FOR CLIMATE INTEGRITY WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $300,000 |
| CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN SAN DIEGO, CA | SUPPORT POLICY ACTION IN SAN DIEGO AND CA | $250,000 |
| CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN SAN DIEGO, CA | SUPPORT THE NEXUS SAN DIEGO CLIMATE SUMMIT | $5,000 |
| CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| GOFUNDMEORG REDWOOD CITY, CA | WEATHER RESILIENCE FUND | $25,000 |
| GRID ALTERNATIVES SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kara Ballester: President, Treasurer, and Secretary (serves without compensation)
- Andrew Ballester: Treasurer and Secretary (serves without compensation)
- Beverly Mead: Chief Impact Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARA BALLESTER | PRESIDENT | 25 | — |
| ANDREW BALLESTER | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
B Quest has significantly expanded its climate focus since 2018, when the foundation decided to pivot toward climate-related issues following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C.
**Impact Metrics:**
6,407 kilowatts of total solar installed
7,899 kilowatts of total solar contributed to
40,858 tons of lifetime CO₂ saved
$70 million in energy savings for communities
The foundation has demonstrated that impact investing strategies allow it to stretch resources further and unlock additional financing and government funding by participating in projects as a philanthropic investor. This approach creates multiple layers of impact by generating financial savings for families, communities, and nonprofit organizations while simultaneously expanding renewable energy use and reducing emissions.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does B Quest fund?
B Quest partners with organizations dedicated to creating equitable community solutions for reducing carbon emissions, increasing renewable energy, and advocating for policy changes towards a zero-carbon future. The foundation's primary focus areas include: • **Clean Energy & Renewable Energy**: Solar installations and renewable energy projects for nonprofits and marginalized communities • **Climate Action**: Supporting organizations working on carbon emissions reduction and climate policy advo…
How do I apply for a grant from B Quest?
B Quest employs creative financing mechanisms beyond traditional grants, including: • Zero-percent or low-interest loans • Collateral loans • Loan-loss reserve funds • Program-related investments • Tax refunds **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Center for Climate Integrity: $300,000 (General Operating Support) • Climate Action Campaign: $250,000 (Support Policy Action in San Diego and California) • The Children's Initiative: $150,000 (General Operating Support) • Total grants made: 36 grants a…
Where does B Quest make grants?
B Quest funds projects across 18 states in the United States, including California, New York, Texas, and other states. The foundation supports initiatives in major cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Boston, as well as smaller communities. Recent project locations include: • Antioch, California (Delta Learning Center) • Carlsbad, California (Pilgrim United Church and Preschool) • Keene, New Hampshire (Sophia's Hearth)
What size grants does B Quest award?
In 2024, B Quest awarded 28 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $65K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is B Quest required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, B Quest reported a distributable amount of $3.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is B Quest's EIN?
B Quest's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5550417. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in B Quest's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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