The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WASHINGTON, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $18.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 31 grants totaling $3.9M. Net investment income was $1.4M.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.8M
-10.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.9M
+94.7% YoY
Grant Count
31
+1450.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$126K
-87.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $837K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WASHINGTON, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $18.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 31 grants totaling $3.9M. Net investment income was $1.4M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,826,449 | $21,137,667 | $668 |
| Revenue | $1,623,426 | $463,327 | $1,000 |
| Expenses | $3,934,644 | $2,015,094 | $332 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,915,446 | $2,010,306 | $129 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,373,426 | $344,426 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $837,107 | $301,818 | $28 |
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
33 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include National Geographic Society ($1,600,000), Yale University ($500,000), National Geographic Society ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANACOSTIA RIVERKEEPER WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ANACOSTIA WATERSHED SOCIETY INC BLADENSBURG, MD | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BRIGHT BEGINNINGS INC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS THE RIVER WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT FOR 11TH STREET BRIDGE PARK ($25K) AND SUPPORT FOR SKYLAND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ($25K) | $50,000 |
| CASEY TREES WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION INC ANNAPOLIS, MD | SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE DC REGION, CLAGETT FARM IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, AND OYSTER RESTORATION | $25,000 |
| COMMUNITY FORKLIFT EDMONSTON, MD | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| COMMUNITY OF HOPE INC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| DC CENTRAL KITCHEN INC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| FRIENDS OF ACADIA BAR HARBOR, ME | SUPPORT FOR THE "RAISE THE ROOF" CAMPAIGN | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRENDAN P BECHTEL | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| HELEN B BECHTEL | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LILA LEE | TREASURER | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation?
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WASHINGTON, DC. It holds $18.8M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation?
As of 2024, The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation holds $18.8M in total assets with $1.6M in annual revenue. It awarded 31 grants totaling $3.9M in 2024.
Where does The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation operate?
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation has awarded grants in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maryland, Maine, Virginia.
What size grants does The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation award?
In 2024, The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $3.9M — an average of about $126K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $837K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation's EIN?
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-2824870. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.