Bell Foundation
Bell Foundation is a private foundation, based in Greensboro, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $11.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $530K. Net investment income was $1.9M.
Bell Foundation at a glance
In short: Bell Foundation gave $530K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $66K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $530,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,250
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $11,404,133
- +14.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Bell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was High Point University ($185K). Together the top 8 received $530K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 46 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Bell Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $204K (2020) to $530K (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $530K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| High Point University High Point, NC | Geneal Operating | $185,000 |
| University of North Carolina Greensboro Greensboro, NC | General Operating | $150,000 |
| Greensboro Day School Greensboro, NC | General Operating | $100,000 |
| Greensboro Children's Museum Greensboro, NC | General Operating | $40,000 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro Greensboro, NC | General Operating | $15,000 |
| Economic Development Partnership of NC Cary, NC | General Operating | $15,000 |
| Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation Greensboro, NC | General Operating | $15,000 |
| North Carolina Folk Festival Greensboro, NC | General Operating | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,404,133 | $2,353,932 | $624,142 | $530,000 | 8 | $532,115 | $1,852,974 | $588,120 |
| 2023 | $9,921,344 | $1,216,396 | $577,510 | $530,000 | 9 | $532,750 | $219,420 | $528,041 |
| 2022 | $9,143,200 | $916,368 | $401,666 | $320,000 | 6 | $322,445 | $83,416 | $549,165 |
| 2021 | $8,733,809 | $2,225,415 | $562,517 | $494,444 | 14 | $494,444 | $423,688 | $447,948 |
| 2020 | $7,070,911 | $576,799 | $256,634 | $204,276 | 9 | — | $222,791 | $349,112 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $588K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Bell Foundation is led by Steven D. Bell, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Steven D. Bell
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan D. Bell
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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
How much does Bell Foundation give each year?
Bell Foundation gave $530K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $530K across 9 grants.
What is Bell Foundation's typical grant size?
Bell Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $27,500, and its average grant was $66,250, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Bell Foundation give grants?
Bell Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Greensboro, NC (6 grants).
Does Bell Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Bell Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bell Foundation's largest grantees?
Bell Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include High Point University ($185,000), University of North Carolina Greensboro ($150,000) and Greensboro Day School ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bell Foundation?
Bell Foundation reported $11.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $532K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $588K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Bell Foundation's EIN?
Bell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3954920. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in Bell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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