William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship
William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship is a private foundation, based in Pasadena, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $504K in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 2 grants totaling $91K. Net investment income was $55K.
William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship at a glance
In short: William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship gave $91K across 2 grants in 2026 (avg $46K), mostly in California. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $91,198
- +5.5% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $45,599
- +5.5% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $45,599
- Total assets
- $504,340
- -13.5% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Occidental College ($46K). Together the top 2 received $91K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 10 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship gives
- Giving fell 54% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $77K (2024) to $200K (2023). In 2026 it made 2 grants totaling $91K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Occidental College Los Angeles, CA | Scholarship Fund | $45,599 |
| Pomona College Claremont, CA | Scholarship Fund | $45,599 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $504,340 | $38,907 | $117,513 | $91,198 | 2 | $111,716 | $55,250 | $118,604 |
| 2025 | $582,946 | $76,648 | $112,973 | $86,416 | 2 | $107,556 | $81,463 | $112,338 |
| 2024 | $619,271 | $52,431 | $106,314 | $77,331 | 2 | $94,663 | $53,091 | $103,748 |
| 2023 | $673,604 | $31,674 | $254,157 | $199,872 | 4 | $218,693 | $51,982 | $107,165 |
| 2022 | $893,327 | $233,038 | $15,023 | — | — | $11,013 | $229,410 | $106,485 |
| 2021 | $675,312 | $53,758 | $122,384 | $99,100 | 2 | — | $54,463 | $93,413 |
| 2020 | $743,938 | $88,012 | $122,489 | $98,630 | 2 | — | $83,556 | $99,083 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship reported a distributable amount of $119K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship is led by Karla Berentsen, Trustee on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Karla Berentsen
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$19K (2021) → $18K (2026)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Clark R. Byam (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $18K, to Karla Berentsen (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship
How much does William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship give each year?
William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship gave $91K across 2 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $86K across 2 grants.
How large is William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship?
William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship reported $504K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $112K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $119K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship operate?
William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship has awarded grants in California.
What is William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship's EIN?
William C and Mazy Bell Free Scholarship's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6032103. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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