David Winton Bell Foundation
The David Winton Bell Foundation is a private family foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Established in 1957, the foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on environmental preservation and education, critical social education, and human service needs, primarily serving the Minneapolis area and broader Minnesota region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$371K
+0.7% YoY
Grant Count
23
-4.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+5.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary giving priorities include:
- Environmental Preservation and Education — Supporting conservation efforts and environmental education initiatives
- Critical Social Education — Funding programs that address important social issues and educational needs
- Human Services — Supporting organizations that address human service needs in the community
Recent grant distributions show that approximately 40% of giving supports environmental causes, 20% supports education, and 18% supports social and human services.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 24 grants in 2024 totaling $371,304. In 2023, it distributed $323,000 across 26 grants. Historical giving has remained relatively consistent, ranging from $309,000 to $385,000 annually over the past five years.
Grant Range
$3,000 to $65,000
Average Grant
varies by year
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with David Winton Bell Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Approximately 84% of the foundation's grants remain within Minnesota. The foundation also funds organizations in Montana and Virginia, though Minnesota is the clear priority for funding.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving (2024):
- Total Assets: $6.4 million to $7.7 million
- Total Giving: $371,304
- Number of Grants: 24
Historical Financial Trends:
| Year | Total Assets | Total Giving | Number of Grants | Median Grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6.4M–$7.7M | $371,304 | 24 | $15,000 |
| 2023 | $6.4M–$9.1M | $323,000 | 26 | $10,000 |
| 2022 | $9.0M | $309,000 | 26 | $10,000 |
| 2021 | $8.7M | $373,000 | 27 | $10,000 |
| 2020 | $9.4M | $385,000 | 32 | $10,000 |
2023 Financial Summary:
- Total Revenues: $71,746
- Total Expenses: $2,793,471
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
126 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by three trustees:
- David Hartwell, Trustee
- Penelope Bell Hatten, Trustee
- Charles Hatten, Trustee
The foundation has no employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID HARTWELL | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| PENELOPE BELL HATTEN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| CHARLES HATTEN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 3001 Broadway Street NE, Suite 640 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
Phone: 952-512-1165
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation EIN: 41-6023104
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Spicola Family Foundation
MINNETONKA, MN
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$410K
The Geyer Family Foundation
EDINA, MN
Assets
—
Grants
7
Total Given
$35K
Love 4 One Another Charities
CHANHASSEN, MN
Assets
$8.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$90K
Donald and Luella Zibell Family Foundation
NORTHFIELD, MN
Assets
—
Grants
8
Total Given
$80K
Minnesota Citizens Concerned
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
$745K
Grants
2
Total Given
$942K
Clearway Minnesota (sm)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$442K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with David Winton Bell 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