Bell Trust
Bell Trust is a private foundation based in Tecumseh, Michigan. In its 2025 filing, it reported giving $30,300 through 20 grants, primarily to organizations in Michigan.
Bell Trust at a glance
In short: Bell Trust gave $30K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Michigan. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $30,300
- +15.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,515
- +15.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $275
- Total assets
- $137,989
- -10.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (3 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (86% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bell Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 110, Tecumseh, MI 49286-0110
Phone: (517) 423-3048
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bell Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Adrian Symphony Orchestra ($8K). Together the top 10 received $29K.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 106 grants of 106 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan, 12% to Ohio, 1% to Pennsylvania, and less than 1% to Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Bell Trust open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 20 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $100 first-time, $300 repeat.
- 80% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 71% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 396% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2023) to $30K (2025). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $30K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Symphony Orchestra Adrian, MI | General Support | $7,700 |
| Croswell Opera House Adrian, MI | General Support | $6,250 |
| Hospice of Lenawee Adrian, MI | General Support | $6,000 |
| Health Network Foundation Pepper Pike, OH | General Support | $3,000 |
| Lenawee Community Foundation Adrian, MI | General Support | $2,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee Adrian, MI | General Support | $1,250 |
| Adrian Armory Community Center Adrian, MI | General Support | $1,000 |
| Adrian College Adrian, MI | General Support | $1,000 |
| WGTE Public Media Toledo, OH | General Support | $500 |
| Lehigh University Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $300 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $137,989 | $16,175 | $32,763 | $30,300 | 20 | $32,689 | $13,786 | $8,248 |
| 2024 | $154,577 | $7,769 | $28,896 | $26,350 | 20 | $28,824 | $5,295 | $8,728 |
| 2023 | $175,705 | $-3,035 | $18,397 | $15,700 | 24 | $18,041 | $5,188 | $8,942 |
| 2022 | $197,138 | $41,647 | $34,031 | $17,700 | 22 | $33,739 | $25,608 | $9,707 |
| 2021 | $189,521 | $27,659 | $24,891 | $21,950 | 20 | $24,891 | $24,718 | $10,467 |
| 2020 | $186,753 | $-12,600 | $41,212 | $22,285 | 26 | — | — | $10,523 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bell Trust reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2025 — 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 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas that include the arts, hospice care, community development, youth services, and higher education. For example, Hospice of Lenawee describes its mission as providing compassionate, patient- and family-centered care during and after the last season of life; the Lenawee Community Foundation says it connects people who care with causes that matter; and the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee says it works to help young people reach their full potential.
Grantmaking
In 2025, Bell Trust awarded 20 grants totaling $30,300. Grants ranged from $100 to $7,700, with a median grant of $275.
Among the largest listed grants were $7,700 to Adrian Symphony Orchestra, $6,250 to Croswell Opera House, and $6,000 to Hospice of Lenawee, all for general support. Other listed grants included $3,000 to Health Network Foundation, $2,000 to Lenawee Community Foundation, and $1,250 to Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee, each for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists ROBERT F BELL and MURIEL L BELL as Co-Trustees.
Bell Trust's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Muriel L. Bell
Co-Trustee
Cotrustee → Co-Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Robert F. Bell
Co-Trustee
Cotrustee → Co-Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Trust
How much does Bell Trust give each year?
Bell Trust gave $30K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $26K across 20 grants.
What is Bell Trust's typical grant size?
Bell Trust's median grant in 2025 was $275, and its average grant was $1,515, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bell Trust that year got $1K on average.
Where does Bell Trust give grants?
Bell Trust gives mostly in Michigan: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Adrian, MI (10 grants) and Toledo, OH (3 grants).
Does Bell Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Bell Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bell Trust's largest grantees?
Bell Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Adrian Symphony Orchestra ($7,700), Croswell Opera House ($6,250) and Hospice of Lenawee ($6,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Bell Trust?
Bell Trust reported $138K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $33K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bell Trust fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas that include the arts, hospice care, community development, youth services, and higher education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bell Trust?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bell Trust's EIN?
Bell Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2704083. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Bell Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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