Bhp Foundation

WASHINGTON, DC EIN: 61-1714573

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

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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

7states

Cities

AlexandriaArlingtonDurhamNew YorkOaklandOaktonPurposesSeattleWashington

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
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$22M$43M$65M$86M20212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
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

$0$19M$38M$57M$76M1 grants202134 grants202248 grants202353 grants202451 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY (…$11.5MGREAT BARRIER REEF FOUND…$7.1MMAKEWAY FOUNDATION$6.5MCSIRO$3.7MUNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY BRA…$3.6MINDIGENOUS DESERT ALLIAN…$3.4MUNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY (TH…$3.1MSMARTICE SEA MONITORING …$2.5MBROOKINGS INSTITUTION$2.4MEXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TR…$2.3M

Grant Size Distribution

183 grants across all recorded years

8<$50K8$50–100K31$100–250K19$250–500K29$500K–1M83$1–5M5$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

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

JP MORGAN TRUST COMP…TRUSTEE OF VALDIVIAN TRUST$36K

From 2025 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
VANDITA PANTCHAIR4
KRISTEN RAYPRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE OFFICER40
NATALIE EASTONTREASURER (THRU 12/09/24)7
SARAH COSTELLOTREASURER (BEGAN 12/09/24)4
HELEN DRANSFIELDSECRETARY24
CARLOS AVILADIRECTOR2.5
JAMES WILLIAM AGARDIRECTOR2.5
HEATHER ANNE BROWNDIRECTOR2.5
BRONWYN ANNE WILKINSONDIRECTOR (BEGAN 10/31/24)2.5
JP MORGAN TRUST COMPANY OF DELAWARETRUSTEE OF VALDIVIAN TRUST1$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 Indigenous

Chicanos 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 scholarship

The foundation celebrated 20 years of John Monash Scholarships in Australia

Celebrating 20 years of John Monash Scholarships

BHP Foundation committed $3 million to prevention and treatment of COVID-19

BHP Foundation commits $3M to prevention and treatment of COVID-19 | BHP

BHP provided a $1 million gift supporting new X-ray imaging technology

BHP $1 million gift launching a new era for X-ray imaging

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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