Bell Foundation Inc
Bell Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Shorewood, Wisconsin. Its 2023 filing reports 11 grants totaling $132,260, supporting organizations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington, DC.
Bell Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Bell Foundation Inc gave $132K across 11 grants in 2023 (avg $12K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $132,260
- +2104.3% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 11
- +0.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $12,024
- +2104.3% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $12,935
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (78% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Bell Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2022 filing states that the foundation did not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists an application letter stating the grant’s purpose and the names of others that have given the organization grants. The filing lists no restrictions on awards. Because the filing is marked as the foundation’s final return, these instructions should not be treated as current.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists September 30 for the fiscal year ending the following August 31; this is a historical instruction, not a current application deadline.
- Deadline
- The filing lists September 30 for the fiscal year ending the following August 31; this is a historical instruction,…
- Contact
Application contact: Susan Zarwell
Mailing address: 1708 E Lake Bluff Blvd, 1708 E Lake Bluff Blvd, Shorewood, WI 53211
Phone: (414) 540-3469
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bell Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 55 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2023 grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin (78%), Minnesota (12%), and Washington, DC (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How Bell Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 2572% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2020) to $132K (2023). In 2023 it made 11 grants totaling $132K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 11 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $132,260 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $71,234 | $141,072 | $132,260 | 11 | $132,260 | $62,422 | $5,156 |
| 2022 | $69,838 | $8,401 | $8,810 | $6,000 | 11 | $6,000 | $5,591 | $6,571 |
| 2021 | $70,247 | $9,795 | $7,525 | $5,200 | 11 | — | $7,470 | $5,992 |
| 2020 | $67,977 | $572 | $6,984 | $4,950 | 10 | — | $31 | $5,211 |
| 2019 | $74,389 | $5,317 | $7,123 | $5,200 | 12 | — | $3,394 | $5,015 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for education, culture, health and human services, cultural and historical purposes, religious purposes, and general welfare.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. University School of Milwaukee says it supports the school in fulfilling its educational purposes. College Possible describes its work as helping students from low-income backgrounds achieve college admission and success through coaching and support. The Milwaukee Art Museum describes a mission centered on collecting, preserving, and presenting art, and on arts education and community development. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra says it reaches diverse audiences through performances and education and outreach programs.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation gave $132,260 through 11 grants. Grants ranged from $45 to $32,338, with a median of $12,935.
The largest grants included $32,338 to University School of Milwaukee for education; $15,522 to College Possible for education; and $13,035 to Milwaukee Art Museum for culture. Other grants included $12,935 each to Charles E Kubly Foundation, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, an individual recipient, Assoc Prevent Cruelty Animals, and UW School of Veterinary Med.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Susan Bell Zarwell as vice president and secretary and Phillip J Strosahl as treasurer.
Bell Foundation Inc is led by Susan Bell Zarwell, V President & Secretary on every filing since 2019; none of the 2 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Susan Bell Zarwell
V President & Secretary
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Phillip J. Strosahl
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Joan D. Bell (2019–2022) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Bell Foundation Inc
How much does Bell Foundation Inc give each year?
Bell Foundation Inc gave $132K across 11 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $6K across 11 grants.
What is Bell Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Bell Foundation Inc's median grant in 2023 was $12,935, and its average grant was $12,024, across 11 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Bell Foundation Inc give grants?
Bell Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Minnesota (12%) and District of Columbia (10%).
Does Bell Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 9% of Bell Foundation Inc's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Health & Human Services" (4 grants).
What does Bell Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for education, culture, health and human services, cultural and historical purposes, religious purposes, and general welfare. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bell Foundation Inc?
The 2022 filing states that the foundation did not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Bell Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Bell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Bell Foundation Inc's EIN?
Bell Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6042846. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 10, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2023
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