BHP Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation headquartered in Washington, DC, established in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation works to address root causes of sustainability challenges relevant to the resources industry by partnering with civil society organizations, governments, international institutions, and communities to advance systemic change.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$185.4M
-25.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$75.6M
+35.2% YoY
Grant Count
51
-3.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.5M
+40.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bhp Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on shifting systems to create a more equitable and sustainable future for people and planet. Primary focus areas include:
- Greater equity and self-determination for Indigenous Peoples – Supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and governance
- Education equity – Preparing underrepresented children and young people to participate in the economy of the future
- Natural resource governance – Promoting responsible governance of natural resource wealth
- Environmental resilience – Supporting environmental sustainability and conservation initiatives
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$15,000 to $11,483,513
Ready to take the next step with Bhp Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily operates in three regions:
- Australia – Including Great Barrier Reef conservation and education initiatives
- Canada – Supporting Indigenous education and youth programs
- Chile – Advancing equity and sustainability initiatives
The foundation also funds initiatives in the United States, with particular activity in Washington DC, New York, and other major urban centers.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2025:
- Total assets: $185,422,036
- Total revenue: $7,311,826
- Total expenses: $77,931,691
- Total liabilities: $305,000
- Net income: -$70,619
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $185,422,036 | $250,110,392 | $297,060,834 |
| Revenue | $7,311,826 | $3,796,445 | $36,486,715 |
| Expenses | $77,931,691 | $59,262,638 | $47,361,916 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $78,218,822 | $59,315,000 | $47,437,736 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,568,956 | $7,874,978 | $6,361,480 |
| Distributable Amount | $11,257,929 | $13,437,888 | $14,283,401 |
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
183 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include The Nature Conservancy (tnc) ($11,483,513), Great Barrier Reef Foundation ($7,119,258), Makeway Foundation ($6,451,477).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER MATHEMATICS ALLIANCE (ATSIMA) | DESIGN GRANT | $207,491 |
| AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS GOVERNANCE INSTITUTE (AIGI) | SUPPORTING SELF-DETERMINED GOVERNANCE FOR INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES - PHASE 2 | $1,390,518 |
| AUSTRALIAN LAND CONSERVATION ALLIANCE | PRIVATE LANDS CONSERVATION (PLC) CONFERENCE | $105,009 |
| AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (ANU) | CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION | $234,654 |
| BAN KI-MOON CENTRE NEW YORK, NY | LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS YOUTH IN THE AMERICAS (FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM) WITH BAN KI MOON CENTRE | $250,000 |
| BROOKINGS INSTITUTION WASHINGTON, DC | GLOBAL COLLABORATION TO ADVANCE ANTI-CORRUPTION | $2,413,130 |
| CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES (CIER) | CONSENT-BASED WATER GOVERNANCE | $1,114,230 |
| COLLEGES & INSTITUTES CANADA (CI-CAN) | "MAMAWI" STRENTHENING INDIGENOUS ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT | $180,000 |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION ARLINGTON, VA | ALTO MAYO PROJECT SEEKS TO PROMOTE A SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE MODEL WHERE LIVELIHOODS ARE IMPROVED THROUGH SIMULTANEOUSLY PROMOTING CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION, RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE. | $1,200,000 |
| CSIRO | STEM CHAMPIONS PROJECT (2022 - 2026) | $3,678,822 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Vandita Pant – Chair
- Kristen Ray – President/Executive Officer
- Sarah Costello – Treasurer (began December 2024)
- Helen Dransfield – Secretary
- Board Directors: Carlos Avila, James William Agar, Heather Anne Brown, Bronwyn Anne Wilkinson
- Trustee: JP Morgan Trust Company of Delaware (Valdivian Trust)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VANDITA PANT | CHAIR | 4 | — |
| KRISTEN RAY | PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | — |
| NATALIE EASTON | TREASURER (THRU 12/09/24) | 7 | — |
| SARAH COSTELLO | TREASURER (BEGAN 12/09/24) | 4 | — |
| HELEN DRANSFIELD | SECRETARY | 24 | — |
| CARLOS AVILA | DIRECTOR | 2.5 | — |
| JAMES WILLIAM AGAR | DIRECTOR | 2.5 | — |
| HEATHER ANNE BROWN | DIRECTOR | 2.5 | — |
| BRONWYN ANNE WILKINSON | DIRECTOR (BEGAN 10/31/24) | 2.5 | — |
| JP MORGAN TRUST COMPANY OF DELAWARE | TRUSTEE OF VALDIVIAN TRUST | 1 | $36,031 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
BHP announced a multi-year partnership with Indspire in Canada to support Indigenous education
BHP announces multi-year partnership with Indspire in Canada to support IndigenousChicanos Por La Causa established a new partnership with BHP to create a scholarship and grant program
Chicanos Por La Causa announces new partnership with BHP to establish a scholarshipThe foundation celebrated 20 years of John Monash Scholarships in Australia
Celebrating 20 years of John Monash ScholarshipsBHP Foundation committed $3 million to prevention and treatment of COVID-19
BHP Foundation commits $3M to prevention and treatment of COVID-19 | BHPBHP provided a $1 million gift supporting new X-ray imaging technology
BHP $1 million gift launching a new era for X-ray imagingSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhp Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on shifting systems to create a more equitable and sustainable future for people and planet. Primary focus areas include: • **Greater equity and self-determination for Indigenous Peoples** – Supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and governance • **Education equity** – Preparing underrepresented children and young people to participate in the economy of the future • **Natural resource governance** – Promoting responsible governance of natural resource wealth • **…
How do I apply for a grant from Bhp Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in fiscal year 2025: $75,642,509 • Number of grants: 51 grants • Grant range: $15,000 to $11,483,513 • Median grant size: $670,000 **Recent Notable Grants (FY 2025):** • Great Barrier Reef Foundation USA: $7,119,258 (Resilient Reefs Initiative - Phase 2 Scaling) • Makeway Foundation: $6,451,477 (NWT on the Land Youth Collaborative) • The Brookings Institution: $2,413,130 (Global Collaboration To Advance Anti-Corruption)
Where does Bhp Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily operates in three regions: • **Australia** – Including Great Barrier Reef conservation and education initiatives • **Canada** – Supporting Indigenous education and youth programs • **Chile** – Advancing equity and sustainability initiatives The foundation also funds initiatives in the United States, with particular activity in Washington DC, New York, and other major urban centers.
What size grants does Bhp Foundation award?
In 2025, Bhp Foundation awarded 51 grants totaling $75.6M — an average of about $1.5M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Bhp Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Bhp Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Bhp Foundation's EIN?
Bhp Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1714573. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bhp Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Demand Justice Initiative
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$7.6M
Grants
1
Total Given
$225K
American Academic Leadership Institute
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$3.6M
Grants
2
Total Given
$50K
Cnfa
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$18.3M
Grants
9
Total Given
$4.2M
Partnership for a Healthier America
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$10.8M
Grants
12
Total Given
$350K
Association of Schools of Allied Health
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
2
Total Given
$60K
Fulcrum Foundation Inc
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$53K
Grants
10
Total Given
$13K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Bhp Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Bhp Foundation to a real strategy.