Clara and Art Bald Trust
The Clara and Art Bald Trust is a private charitable trust established in 1985 through the estate of Clara Bald, a member of a farming family from the Touchet area near Walla Walla, Washington. Clara and her brother Art built their success raising alfalfa seed on irrigated land. The Trust is now administered by Blue Mountain Community Foundation and supports nonprofit organizations and charitable entities throughout the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
+2012.1% YoY
Grant Count
23
+53.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$118K
+1277.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Clara and Art Bald Trust reported a distributable amount of $115K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust honors the legacy of Clara and Art Bald by supporting a wide range of charitable causes, including:
- Veterans
- Social services
- Health
- Environment
- Education
- Civic affairs
- Children and youth
- Arts and culture
The Trust demonstrates a preference for funding capital programs and projects rather than ongoing operations, though general operating support is considered.
Grantmaking
The Clara & Art Bald Trust operates through two grant programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust serves Columbia, Garfield, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Counties in Washington, with particular emphasis on the Touchet area and the agricultural sector.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $2,084,822 | $2,215,942 |
| Revenue | $27,649 | $9,325 | $132,923 |
| Expenses | $2,729,447 | $140,445 | $148,176 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,719,318 | $128,750 | $132,625 |
| Net Investment Income | $17,520 | $91,633 | $117,372 |
| Distributable Amount | $115,136 | $118,578 | $126,126 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
140 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Blue Mountain Community Foundation ($2,629,629), Blue Mountain Community Foundation ($21,024), Tri State Steelheaders ($6,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,500 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN ACTION COUNCIL WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,000 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WALLA WALLA, WA | ENDOWMENT | $2,629,629 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WALLA WALLA, WA | ENDOWMENT | $21,024 |
| CAMPFIRE WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,500 |
| CITY OF WALLA WALLA WALLA WALLA, WA | PARKS & RECREATION | $4,000 |
| COMMUNITY COUNCIL WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,500 |
| EARLY LIFE SPEECH & LANGUAGE WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,000 |
| FORT WALLA WALLA MUSEUM WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $4,500 |
| FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF WALLA WALLA WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Robert Zagelow initially oversaw administration of the Trust. Tom Scribner served as Trustee during a period when Robert Zagelow held the position of Superior Court Judge. The Trust is currently held at Blue Mountain Community Foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT ZAGELOW | TRUSTEE | 5 | $6,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Clara and Art Bald Trust fund?
The Trust honors the legacy of Clara and Art Bald by supporting a wide range of charitable causes, including: • Veterans • Social services • Health • Environment • Education • Civic affairs • Children and youth • Arts and culture The Trust demonstrates a preference for funding capital programs and projects rather than ongoing operations, though general operating support is considered.
How do I apply for a grant from Clara and Art Bald Trust?
The Clara & Art Bald Trust operates through two grant programs: **Discretionary Grant Program:** The Blue Mountain Community Foundation's annual grant program provides general operating support to nonprofits and charitable entities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal governments, and certain governmental entities. Applications are accepted annually, typically starting in late summer through early fall. **Unforeseen Needs Grant Program:** A program designed to address ur…
Where does Clara and Art Bald Trust make grants?
The Trust serves Columbia, Garfield, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Counties in Washington, with particular emphasis on the Touchet area and the agricultural sector.
What size grants does Clara and Art Bald Trust award?
In 2024, Clara and Art Bald Trust awarded 23 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $118K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Clara and Art Bald Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Clara and Art Bald Trust reported a distributable amount of $115K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Clara and Art Bald Trust's EIN?
Clara and Art Bald Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-6275061. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Clara and Art Bald Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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