James Ford Bell Foundation
The James Ford Bell Foundation is a private foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, established in 1955. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it has been tax-exempt since September 1959. The foundation operates with limited staffing and focuses its philanthropic efforts on cultural programs, wildlife preservation and conservation, youth agencies, environmental initiatives, education, health, and human services.
Key facts about James Ford Bell Foundation
- EIN
- 41-6023099
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $318,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 62
- Average grant
- $5,137
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation operates on a preselected basis only and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James Ford Bell Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for James Ford Bell Foundation's 62 itemized 2024 grants were Minnesota (50%), Florida (32%) and Virginia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Vero Beach, FL (21 grants), Minneapolis, MN (10 grants), St Paul, MN (6 grants) and Afton, MN (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$319K
-4.2% YoY
Grant Count
62
+6.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-10.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation emphasizes support for:
- Cultural programs
- Wildlife preservation and conservation
- Youth agencies
- Environmental initiatives
- Education
- Health and human services
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on a preselected basis only and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grant opportunities are by invitation only.
Grant Range
$500–$40,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with James Ford Bell Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in Minnesota, Florida, and New York, with particular emphasis on Minneapolis.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 62 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $2,281,383
- Total Revenue: $375,105
- Total Expenses: $413,951
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $92,704
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $282,401
Grant Distribution:
- Total Giving (2024): $317,000–$318,500
- Giving Rate: Approximately 15.4% of assets
| 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
296 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Bell Museum ($35,000 across 2 grants), American Alliance of Museums ($25,000), Minneapolis Institute of Arts ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS ARLINGTON, VA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
| BELL MUSEUM MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
| MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
| MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ST PAUL, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $17,000 |
| THE SOURCE VERO BEACH, FL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,500 |
| RIVERSIDE THEATER VERO BEACH, FL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $12,000 |
| BELL MUSEUM MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| CHILDCARE RESOURCES OF INDIAN RIVER VERO BEACH, FL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| LEARNING ALLIANCE VERO BEACH, FL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Ford W. Bell – Trustee (5 hours/week, $10,000 compensation)
- Samuel H. Bell Jr. – Trustee (5 hours/week, $10,000 compensation)
- Ellen George – Executive Director (5 hours/week, no compensation reported)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORD W BELL | TRUSTEE | 5 | $10,000 |
| SAMUEL H BELL JR | TRUSTEE | 5 | $10,000 |
| ELLEN GEORGE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 1818 Oliver Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405-2224
- Phone: 612-377-8400
- Website: WWW.FPADVISORS.COM
Frequently Asked Questions
What does James Ford Bell Foundation fund?
The foundation emphasizes support for: • Cultural programs • Wildlife preservation and conservation • Youth agencies • Environmental initiatives • Education • Health and human services
How do I apply for a grant from James Ford Bell Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 57-62 grants in recent fiscal years • Typical grant range: $500–$40,000 • Median grant amount: $2,500–$3,000 • Recent grantees include Minnesota Herpetological Society ($39,000), American Alliance of Museums ($25,000), and Minneapolis Institute of Art ($25,000) **Application Process:** The foundation operates on a preselected basis only and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grant opportunities are by invitation only.
Where does James Ford Bell Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in Minnesota, Florida, and New York, with particular emphasis on Minneapolis.
What size grants does James Ford Bell Foundation award?
In 2024, James Ford Bell Foundation awarded 62 grants totaling $319K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is James Ford Bell Foundation's EIN?
James Ford Bell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6023099. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does James Ford Bell Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. The foundation operates on a preselected basis only and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James Ford Bell Foundation'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.