The Bellis Foundation
The Bellis Foundation is a private foundation based in Troy, Michigan. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including charitable endowment funds and organizations working in areas such as disease research, education, arts, and community services.
The Bellis Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bellis Foundation gave $32.5M across 20 grants in 2024 (avg $1.6M), mostly in Florida. 90% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $32,531,727
- +9468.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- +81.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,626,586
- +5162.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $597,173
- -94.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 90% first-time grantees (18 of 20, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Bellis Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3250 West Big Beaver Road Ste 127, Troy, MI 48084
Phone: (248) 649-7272
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Bellis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lawrence Bellis Gift Fund a ($8.2M). Together the top 10 received $32.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 67 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida. Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky each accounted for a reported 0% share. Listed recipients included organizations in Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Bellis Foundation open to new grantees?
90%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 20 grantees (90%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $1.8M; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $28K repeat.
- 5% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 23474% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $93K (2020) to $32.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 20 grants totaling $32.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Bellis Gift Fund a St Ptersburg, FL | Charitable Endowment Fund | $8,159,937 |
| Lawrence Bellis Gift Fund C St Petersburg, FL | Charible Endowment Fund | $8,101,627 |
| Lawrence Bellis Gift Fund D St Petersburg, FL | Charitable Endowment Fund | $8,097,597 |
| Lawrence Bellis Gift Fund B St Petersburg, FL | Charitable Endowment Fund | $8,007,566 |
| United Mitochondrial Disease Found Pittsburgh, PA | Research Mitochondrial Diseases | $50,000 |
| Joanne's Mark Lenox Township, MI | Programs for Terminal Sick Kids | $27,000 |
| The Zekelman Holocaust Center Farmington Hills, MI | Support for the Holocaust Musem | $17,000 |
| Concert of Colors Detroit, MI | Art Organziation Offer Free Events | $15,000 |
| Blue Grass Center for Austim Jeffersontown, KY | Programs for Autism Children | $10,000 |
| Kevin's Song Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | Programs for Prevention of Suicide | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Bellis Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $597,173 | $20,415,437 | $32,580,953 | $32,531,727 | 20 | $32,551,825 | $327,815 | $412,961 |
| 2023 | $11,278,765 | $228,110 | $354,931 | $340,000 | 11 | $345,006 | $220,060 | $512,323 |
| 2022 | $8,964,891 | $6,032,956 | $176,743 | $160,000 | 7 | $173,345 | $87,287 | $294,244 |
| 2021 | $3,999,133 | $58,297 | $149,651 | $138,000 | 16 | $149,651 | $58,297 | $177,220 |
| 2020 | $2,903,106 | $87,914 | $92,500 | $92,500 | 13 | — | $87,914 | $122,935 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bellis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $413K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for charitable endowment funds, mitochondrial disease research, programs for children with terminal illnesses, Holocaust museum support, free arts events, autism programs, suicide prevention, animal rescue, and school supplies.
Among the grantees, Beyond Basics describes its work as providing reading, writing, art, and enrichment programs to students in metropolitan Detroit and throughout Michigan. New Detroit Inc describes itself as a coalition working to achieve racial understanding and racial equity in metropolitan Detroit.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 20 grants totaling $32,531,727. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $8,159,937, with a median of $10,000. Four grants to Lawrence Bellis Gift Funds A, B, C, and D totaled $32,366,727; each was designated for a charitable endowment fund.
Other notable 2024 grants included $50,000 to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation for mitochondrial disease research; $27,000 to Joanne’s Mark for programs for terminally ill children; $17,000 to The Zekelman Holocaust Center for museum support; and $15,000 to Concert of Colors for free events. Beyond Basics received $5,000, and New Detroit Inc received $2,500.
The foundation reported 11 grants totaling $340,000 in 2023 and 7 grants totaling $160,000 in 2022.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Salvatore La Mendola, Joyce E Johnston, Jasmine U Jones, and Melissa Hull, each identified as a co-trustee.
The Bellis Foundation's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Salvatore La Mendola
Co Trustee
On filings since 2020
$3K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Jasmine U. Jones
Co Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Melissa Hull
Co Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joyce E. Johnston
Co Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Ronald L. Katz (2020–2022) — Co Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $2K, to Salvatore La Mendola (Co Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Bellis Foundation
How much does The Bellis Foundation give each year?
The Bellis Foundation gave $32.5M across 20 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $340K across 11 grants.
What is The Bellis Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bellis Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $1,626,586, across 20 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Bellis Foundation that year got $1.8M on average.
Where does The Bellis Foundation give grants?
The Bellis Foundation gives mostly in Florida: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (4 grants), St Petersburg, FL (3 grants) and Southfield, MI (2 grants).
Does The Bellis Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on The Bellis Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Endowment Fund" (3 grants).
Who are The Bellis Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bellis Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lawrence Bellis Gift Fund a ($8,159,937), Lawrence Bellis Gift Fund C ($8,101,627) and Lawrence Bellis Gift Fund D ($8,097,597), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Bellis Foundation?
The Bellis Foundation reported $597K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $32.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $413K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Bellis Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bellis Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bellis Foundation's EIN?
The Bellis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6656303. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Bellis Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Bellis Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-bellis-foundation-morg_5ed68de6d0914f1cbb6d6febe6c6ed96
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_476656303_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Bellis Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-bellis-foundation-morg_5ed68de6d0914f1cbb6d6febe6c6ed96},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Bellis 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.
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