The Brendan & Helen Bechtel Foundation
Invitation OnlyWashington, District of Columbia · EIN 86-2824870 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$3.9M
Organizations funded31
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$16.8M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $25,000 and $100,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
41% of grants went outside District of Columbia.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Geographic Society | Washington, DC | To support the base camp project fund and the base camp maintenance fund | $1,600,000 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | To support the school of architecture's dean's endowed scholarship fund | $500,000 |
| National Geographic Society | Washington, DC | To support the base camp project fund and the base camp maintenance fund | $400,000 |
| Friends of Acadia | Bar Harbor, ME | Support for the "raise the roof" campaign | $250,000 |
| Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation of the D of C | Washington, DC | Support for the earthquake repair project | $166,666 |
| National Geographic Society | Washington, DC | General operating support | $150,000 |
| Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve | Seal Harbor, ME | Support for renovation and restoration of the abby aldrich rockefeller garden | $125,000 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | Support the women in architecture and philanthropy initiative for the yale school of architecture | $100,000 |
| Building Bridges Across the River | Washington, DC | Support for 11th street bridge park ($25K) and support for skyland workforce development ($25K) | $50,000 |
| Washington DC Police Foundation | Washington, DC | General operating support | $50,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| House of Ruth | Washington, DC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Marthas Table | Washington, DC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Mary's Center for Maternal & Child Care Inc | Washington, DC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| My Sister's Place Inc | Washington, DC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| N Street Village Inc | Washington, DC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Neighborhood Design Center Inc | Baltimore, MD | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Piedmont Environmental Council | Warrenton, VA | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Rock Creek Conservancy Inc | Bethesda, MD | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Some Inc | Washington, DC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Together We Bake | Alexandria, VA | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Youthbuild DC Public Charter School Inc | Washington, DC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Corporation | Arlington, VA | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Mount Desert Nursing Association | Northeast Harbor, ME | Capital campaign | $6,667 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friends of Acadia | Bar Harbor, ME | Support for the "raise the roof" campaign | $250,000 |
| Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation of the D of C | Washington, DC | Support for the earthquake repair project | $166,667 |
| Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation of the D of C | Washington, DC | Support for the earthquake repair project | $166,667 |
| Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve | Seal Harbor, ME | Support for renovation and restoration of the abby aldrich rockefeller garden | $125,000 |
| Mount Desert Nursing Association | Northeast Harbor, ME | Capital campaign | $6,667 |
| Mount Desert Nursing Association | Northeast Harbor, ME | Capital campaign | $6,666 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,893,333 | 37 |
| 2023 | $2,000,000 | 3 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Oct 21, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202542939349100324
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 86-2824870
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.