The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation
Washington, District of Columbia · EIN 862824870 · Private foundation
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation is a private foundation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $3.9M in grants paid and $18.8M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 33 individual grants from this funder — $5.9M awarded across 2023–2024 — including its support for economic development. Below is its full funding profile.
What The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation funds
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on economic development, education, environment & conservation, food & agriculture, higher education.
Populations it has supported include women girls.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Geographic Society TO SUPPORT THE BASE CAMP PROJECT FUND. | Washington, DC | $1.6M | 2023 |
| National Geographic Society TO SUPPORT THE BASE CAMP PROJECT FUND AND THE BASE CAMP MAINTENANCE FUND | Washington, DC | $1.6M | 2024 |
| Yale University TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE'S DEAN'S ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND | New Haven, CT | $500K | 2024 |
| National Geographic Society TO SUPPORT THE BASE CAMP PROJECT FUND AND THE BASE CAMP MAINTENANCE FUND | Washington, DC | $400K | 2024 |
| National Geographic Society TO SUPPORT THE BASE CAMP MAINTENANCE FUND. | Washington, DC | $400K | 2023 |
| Friends of Acadia SUPPORT FOR THE "RAISE THE ROOF" CAMPAIGN | Bar Harbor, ME | $250K | 2024 |
| Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation of the D of C SUPPORT FOR THE EARTHQUAKE REPAIR PROJECT | Washington, DC | $167K | 2024 |
| National Geographic Society GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | Washington, DC | $150K | 2024 |
| Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve SUPPORT FOR RENOVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE ABBY ALDRICH ROCKEFELLER GARDEN | Seal Harbor, ME | $125K | 2024 |
| Yale University SUPPORT THE WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE AND PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE FOR THE YALE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE | New Haven, CT | $100K | 2024 |
| Washington Dc Police Foundation GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | Washington, DC | $50K | 2024 |
| Building Bridges Across the River SUPPORT FOR 11TH STREET BRIDGE PARK ($25K) AND SUPPORT FOR SKYLAND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ($25K) | Washington, DC | $50K | 2024 |
| Piedmont Environmental Council GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | Warrenton, VA | $25K | 2024 |
| Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE DC REGION, CLAGETT FARM IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, AND OYSTER RESTORATION | Annapolis, MD | $25K | 2024 |
| Rock Creek Conservancy Inc GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | Bethesda, MD | $25K | 2024 |
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation
The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal.
Is The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation
- Does The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation accept grant applications?
- The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation fund?
- The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation's grants focus on economic development. Recent recipients include National Geographic Society, National Geographic Society, Yale University. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation give in grants?
- The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation reported $3.9M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2024). Across all years in our data it has awarded $5.9M over 33 grants.
- Where is The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation located?
- The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation is based in Washington, District of Columbia. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 862824870.
- How can I find foundations similar to The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
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