Cole-belin Education Foundation
The Cole-Belin Education Foundation is a private foundation established in 1985 and based in Phoenix, Arizona. Also known as the Marlin Cole and Connie Belin Charitable Foundation, it operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization with no paid staff. The foundation primarily supports educational institutions and programs, with a particular emphasis on gifted education and teacher training initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$250K
+25.1% YoY
Grant Count
34
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+25.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving focuses primarily on education, with secondary interests in arts and culture, environment, health, historic preservation, libraries, research, and youth development. The foundation supports various education programs including general operating budgets, graduate student support (particularly for statistics departments), teacher training, and literacy/education initiatives.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 29 grants totaling approximately $250,323. Recent grantees include the Belin-Blank Center, Living History Farms, 1000 Friends of Iowa, Second Chance Wildlife Center, and various other educational and community organizations.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $100,000
Average Grant
amounts vary by program: general operating budget ($4,965 average), education programs ($7,500 average), teacher training ($65,000 average), literacy/education programs ($5,000 average)
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Cole-belin Education Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Iowa, with additional grantmaking in New York and Maryland. Sample grants have supported organizations in Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Gaithersburg (Maryland), and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total assets: $4,722,114
- Total revenues: $524,819
- Total expenses: $365,300
- Total giving: $250,323
As of December 2023:
- Total assets: $5,033,266
- Total revenues: $456,164
- Total expenses: $275,577
- Total giving: $209,367
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
138 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Belin-blank Center ($75,000), Civic Music Assocation ($25,000), Living History Farms ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 FRIENDS OF IOWA DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $9,823 |
| AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $1,000 |
| ATTACHMENT PARENTING INTE ALPHARETTA, GA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $15,000 |
| BELIN-BLANK CENTER IOWA CITY, IA | TEACHER TRAINING | $75,000 |
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $5,000 |
| CITIZENSHIP COUNTS VOORHEES, NJ | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $2,000 |
| CHRYSALIS FOUNDATION DES MOINES, IA | EDUCATION PROGRAMS | $5,000 |
| CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCATION DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $25,000 |
| COMMON GOOD IOWA DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $5,000 |
| DES MOINES AREA RELIGIOUS COUNSELIN DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $3,600 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Laurie Belin – President (7.5 hours/week, $15,000 compensation)
- Dr. Thomas Richard Belin – Vice President (1 hour/week)
- Joy Elizabeth Belin – Director (1 hour/week)
- James M. Belin – Secretary/Treasurer (1 hour/week, $51,875 compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURIE BELIN | PRESIDENT | 7.5 | $15,000 |
| DR THOMAS RICHARD BELIN | VICE-PRESIDE | 1 | — |
| JOY ELIZABETH BELIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES M BELIN | SECRETARY/TR | 40 | $73,127 |
Contact Information
Address: 3420 E. Shea Blvd. Suite 149 Phoenix, AZ 85028
Phone: (602) 253-3588
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cole-belin Education Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving focuses primarily on education, with secondary interests in arts and culture, environment, health, historic preservation, libraries, research, and youth development. The foundation supports various education programs including general operating budgets, graduate student support (particularly for statistics departments), teacher training, and literacy/education initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from Cole-belin Education Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $1,000 to $100,000 • Median grant amount: $5,000 • Average grant amounts vary by program: general operating budget ($4,965 average), education programs ($7,500 average), teacher training ($65,000 average), literacy/education programs ($5,000 average) • Giving rate: 4.6% of assets **Recent Activity:** In 2024, the foundation made 29 grants totaling approximately $250,323. Recent grantees include the Belin-Blank Center, Living History Farms, 1000 Friends …
Where does Cole-belin Education Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Iowa, with additional grantmaking in New York and Maryland. Sample grants have supported organizations in Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Gaithersburg (Maryland), and New York.
What size grants does Cole-belin Education Foundation award?
In 2024, Cole-belin Education Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $250K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cole-belin Education Foundation's EIN?
Cole-belin Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1263748. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cole-belin Education Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Running River School Inc
SEDONA, AZ
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Dorrance Family Foundation
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Assets
$111.3M
Grants
78
Total Given
$5.6M
Unicorn Philanthropy Foundation
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Assets
$72K
Grants
3
Total Given
$236K
Revelation Wellness Foundation
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
3
Total Given
$40K
Dennis Evans Charitable Foundation
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Assets
$33K
Grants
4
Total Given
$4K
Along Side Ministries Inc
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$6K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Cole-belin Education 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 Cole-belin Education Foundation to a real strategy.