Bell Charitable Foundation
The Bell Charitable Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1994 and based in Rancho Santa Fe, California. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on philanthropic initiatives across multiple subject areas and geographic regions.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.1M
-6.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$628K
-17.4% YoY
Grant Count
26
-25.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
+11.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bell Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $422K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports initiatives in the following areas:
- Education
- Health and diseases/conditions
- Human services
- Family services
- Child welfare
- Youth development
- Scouting programs
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Grant Range
$20,000
Average Grant
$20,300–$74,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- New York
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington DC
Specific cities mentioned include New York, Chicago, San Diego, and Washington DC.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $5.48 million
- Total revenue: $357,857–$358,000
- Total expenses: $804,877–$805,000
- Investment income and dividends: $350,796
- Total liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,144,532 | $5,477,735 | $5,924,755 |
| Revenue | $340,221 | $357,857 | $308,372 |
| Expenses | $673,424 | $804,877 | $720,738 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $632,753 | $764,556 | $675,318 |
| Net Investment Income | $304,240 | $321,266 | $268,327 |
| Distributable Amount | $422,105 | $445,741 | $475,741 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
164 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Walk Away Foundation ($100,000), Graves' Disease and Thyroid Foundation ($85,000), Government Accountability Institute ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Council for National Policy Washington DC, DC | CNP Membership Sponsor Renewal | $6,000 |
| Center for American Liberty Leesburg, VA | Support Programs to Defend First Amendment Freedoms & Civil Liberties of Americans | $20,000 |
| Freedom Alliance Winchester, VA | Support Programs to Advance Heritage of Freedom | $10,000 |
| Graves' Disease and Thyroid Foundation Rancho Santa Fe, CA | Provide education and support for people with Graves' Disease & Thyroid Disorders | $85,000 |
| Government Accountability Institute Tallahassee, FL | Support Programs to Investigate Government Capitalism and Misuse of Taxpayer Monies | $25,000 |
| Helen Woodward Animal Center Rancho Santa Fe, CA | Sponsor Pet AniMeals Program | $25,000 |
| Not Me CA Inc San Diego, CA | Support for women's safety program | $25,000 |
| ISI Wilmington, DE | Support Programs to Preserve Principles & Institutions That Foster Liberty | $20,000 |
| Judicial Watch Inc Washington DC, DC | Support programs That Fight for Accountability, Integrity in Law | $25,000 |
| Meals On Wheels San Diego, CA | Support Meals On Wheels Programs | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kathleen Bell Flynn – President and Director (serves voluntarily without compensation)
- Steve Flynn – Secretary and Director (serves voluntarily without compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHLEEN BELL FLYNN | PRES., DIR. | — | — |
| STEVE FLYNN | SEC'Y, DIR. | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced significant grant commitments in recent years:
Bell Charitable Foundation Awards $150,000 in GrantsAnnounced a $1 million commitment to digital equity initiatives
Bell Charitable Foundation announces $1 million commitment to digital equityAwarded $150,000 in grants to multiple organizations
2 Kaua\u02BBi organizations awarded Hawaiian Telcom Bell Charitable ...Six organizations received grants through the foundation's programs
Two Kauaʻi organizations were awarded Hawaiian Telcom Bell Charitable Foundation grants (2025)
The Bell Charitable Foundation is excited to announce that six ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bell Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation supports initiatives in the following areas: • Education • Health and diseases/conditions • Human services • Family services • Child welfare • Youth development • Scouting programs
How do I apply for a grant from Bell Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: approximately $671,000–$760,000 • Number of grants: 33–35 grants annually • Median grant size: $20,000 • Average grant size: $20,300–$74,000 • Grant range: $10,000–$100,000 • Giving rate: 13.9% of assets **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis. **Recent Grants (2024):** • Thomas More Society: $25,000 (Support Programs That Defend America's Pro-Life Movement) • Pacific Legal Foundat…
Where does Bell Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: • Arizona • California • Colorado • Delaware • Florida • Illinois • New Jersey • New York • Texas • Virginia • Washington DC Specific cities mentioned include New York, Chicago, San Diego, and Washington DC.
What size grants does Bell Charitable Foundation award?
In 2025, Bell Charitable Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $628K — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Bell Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Bell Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $422K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Bell Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Bell Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0640946. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bell Charitable Foundation'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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