About Bently Foundation
The Bently Foundation funds a mix of environmental/conservation initiatives and performing arts organizations, with notable emphasis on wildlife protection and Lake Tahoe-area cultural institutions. Grants include large capital and program commitments to local conservation and rehab centers as well as recurring support for regional classical music programming and national/international theatre and documentary projects. The foundation supports both local place-based projects (Tahoe) and high-profile international conservation campaigns.
Focus Areas
Wildlife conservation and rehabilitation (local and international)Lake Tahoe environmental protection and regional cultural institutionsClassical music and seasonal performing-arts programming (Classical Tahoe)Theatre and dance productions (UK-based touring theatre and ballet)Documentary and advocacy media on human rights and environmental issues
Who They Fund
rural communities facing aridification and food insecurity (South India)communities impacted by wildfires (California/Tamarack/Caldor areas)
About Bently Foundation
The Bently Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by large wildlife and land-conservation commitments, led by a $250,000 grant to Big Life Foundation for conserving wildlife and preserving land. That pattern sits alongside support for rehabilitation infrastructure, cross-border conservation campaigns, and arts organizations. In the conservation portfolio, the foundation has backed animal welfare and habitat protection in the U.S. and abroad, including a $100,000 grant through Charities Aid Foundation America for the Moon Bear Project and protecting endangered elephants in Vietnam. The arts side is equally visible in recent years, with support for classical music, ballet, theatre, and documentary work. Grants to Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland show a willingness to fund commissioned productions and touring work, while recurring support for Classical Tahoe points to sustained backing for local performing arts programming. The foundation’s giving also reaches place-based environmental work in the Lake Tahoe region, wildfire recovery, and watershed protection, creating a portfolio that combines local stewardship with international conservation and cultural projects.
What Bently Foundation Funds
Animal welfare and species protection appear as a clear theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $100,000 to Charities Aid Foundation America for the Moon Bear Project and protecting endangered elephants in Vietnam, and it also provided $5,760 to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for conservation education program interns. Land and watershed work is another strand: American Rivers received $50,000 for California Headwaters Support, while Sugar Pine Foundation received $10,000 for Caldor Fire Restoration and Alpine Watershed Group received $10,000 for Tamarack Fire Restoration Year 2. The foundation also supports community environmental recovery, as shown by a $4,000 grant to Alpine Watershed Group for a 2023 creek day community workday. On the arts side, Classical Tahoe received repeated operating support for ongoing programming.
How Bently Foundation Gives
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $76,220 at the 75th percentile, showing a mix of smaller project grants and larger commitments. The recent record includes repeated support to the same recipients over multiple years, such as Classical Tahoe Annual Rec Fund and Unite the Parks, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-time awards only. The foundation is a regular funder and does not fund individuals. It also does not accept unsolicited applications. Its grantmaking is project-related across arts, environment, and animal welfare, with amounts ranging from $4,000 to $250,000 in the recent list.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1.1M
Total Assets
$39.4M
Total Revenue
$1.8M
Total Expenses
$1.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $76K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$76K
Geographic Reach
Regional6 states funded
About 17% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Bently Foundation Funds
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Bently Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 18 | $1.3M | 90.0% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 2 |
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