The Belay Foundation
The Belay Foundation was a private foundation based in Ketchum, Idaho. Its 2023 filing states that the foundation was closed as of December 31, 2023, and marks the return as final; it therefore appears to have wound down and is not presenting current application opportunities. The filing says its remaining funds from a Bessemer account were transferred to a donor-advised fund.
The Belay Foundation at a glance
In short: The Belay Foundation gave $2.6M across 16 grants in 2023 (avg $162K), mostly in Idaho. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $2,587,066
- +639.2% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 16
- +33.3% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $161,692
- +454.4% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Primary geography
- Idaho (83% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Belay Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists Robert W Reniers Jr as the contact, says there were no specific form or materials requirements, and restricts awards to education and organizations providing personal development assistance. The foundation is closed, so these instructions are not current application guidance.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists November 15. This date has passed; the filing does not specify a year.
- Deadline
- The filing lists November 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Robert W Reniers Jr
Mailing address: PO Box 6559, Ketchum, ID 83340
Phone: (208) 578-2249
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Belay Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Belay Fund ($2.1M). Together the top 4 received $2.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 12 grants to individuals ($336,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 50 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Idaho and 17% to recipients in California. The largest listed California grants included awards to organizations in Truckee, Visalia, and Fresno.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Belay Foundation gives
- Giving grew 935% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $250K (2020) to $2.6M (2023). In 2023 it made 16 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Belay Fund Ketchum, ID | Support Operations | $2,143,066 |
| Adventure Risk Challenge Truckee, CA | Support Operations | $55,000 |
| 12 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $336,000 |
| Friends of the Tulare County Librar Visalia, CA | Support Operations | $28,000 |
| Imagineu Museum Visalia, CA | Support Operations | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $459,445 | $2,595,356 | $2,587,066 | 16 | $2,587,066 | $451,155 | $93,953 |
| 2022 | $2,135,911 | $680,370 | $350,702 | $350,000 | 12 | $350,000 | $642,734 | $90,193 |
| 2021 | $1,806,243 | $550,673 | $316,205 | $310,000 | 11 | $310,000 | $417,907 | $97,071 |
| 2020 | $1,571,775 | $420,104 | $253,026 | $250,000 | 11 | — | $66,470 | $76,759 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Belay Foundation reported a distributable amount of $94K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available filing does not state a mission. Its award restrictions identify education and personal development assistance. The 2023 grantees included organizations whose own missions addressed education, youth development, and other community needs. For example, an individual recipient describes its mission as empowering underserved youth through literacy, leadership, and outdoor experiences. Visalia Education Foundation says it supports education and educational projects of the Visalia Unified School District, while an individual recipient describes its work as building bridges to academic success for historically underserved populations in California’s Central Valley.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $2,587,066. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $2,143,066, with a median of $30,000. The largest reported grant was $2,143,066 to Belay Fund for support operations. Other grants included $55,000 to an individual recipient, $47,000 each to COS Foundation and Visalia Education Foundation, $45,000 to Parenting Network Family Resource C, and $40,000 to Read for Life. Fresno Pacific University and an individual recipient each received $30,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists the following trustees: Robert W Reniers Jr, Marie Maitland-Lewis, Margaret B Reniers, Robert W Reniers III, and Elizabeth Reniers.
The Belay Foundation's 2023 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Elizabeth Reniers
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret B. Reniers
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marie Maitland-Lewis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert W. Reniers III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert W. Reniers Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Belay Foundation
How much does The Belay Foundation give each year?
The Belay Foundation gave $2.6M across 16 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $350K across 12 grants.
What is The Belay Foundation's typical grant size?
The Belay Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $30,000, and its average grant was $161,692, across 16 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Belay Foundation give grants?
The Belay Foundation gives mostly in Idaho: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Visalia, CA (2 grants).
Does The Belay Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on The Belay Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Operations" (16 grants).
Who are The Belay Foundation's largest grantees?
The Belay Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Belay Fund ($2,143,066), Adventure Risk Challenge ($55,000) and Friends of the Tulare County Librar ($28,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 12 grants to individuals ($336,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does The Belay Foundation fund?
The available filing does not state a mission. Its award restrictions identify education and personal development assistance. The 2023 grantees included organizations whose own missions addressed education, youth development, and other community needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Belay Foundation?
The filing lists Robert W Reniers Jr as the contact, says there were no specific form or materials requirements, and restricts awards to education and organizations providing personal development assistance. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Belay Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Belay Foundation reported a distributable amount of $94K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Belay Foundation's EIN?
The Belay Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0537819. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 10, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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Figures come from The Belay Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Belay Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?