Comprehensive foundation profile based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing
The Bellwether Foundation, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is a philanthropic organization with assets totaling approximately $70 million. The foundation focuses on funding initiatives in various subject areas including arts and culture, education, environment, health, and biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on plant biodiversity and botanical gardens. It operates primarily in the United States, funding projects in cities such as St. Louis, Chicago, and Denver, and states including Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. The foundation's leadership includes Virginia V. Smith as President and Secretary, and Robert B. Smith III as Chairman of the Board, among other trustees. Despite its significant financial activities, the foundation's key personnel do not receive compensation for their roles.
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Financials
+2.6% from previous year
60 grants awarded in 2024
Of total revenue spent on programs
Grants
| Purpose | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,858,557 | ST LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION | TO CONSERVE ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH ANIMAL MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS | St louis, MO, US | 2023 |
| $2,154,941 | SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION | TO CONSERVE ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH ANIMAL MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS | St louis, MO, US | 2024 |
| $2,000,043 | ST LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | TO ENRICH PEOPLE'S LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC | St louis, MO, US | 2024 |
| $1,000,000 | DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER | TO IMPROVE THE HUMAN CONDITION THROUGH PLANT SCIENCE | St louis, MO, US | 2024 |
| $996,744 | GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY | TO DEVELOP A NETWORK OF GREENWAYS TO MAKE THE ST. LOUIS REGION A MORE VIBRANT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AN... | St louis, MO, US | 2022 |
| $762,996 | MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY | TO SERVE AS THE CONFLUENCE OF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE | St louis, MO, US | 2022 |
| $700,000 | ST LOUIS MERCANTILE LIBRARY AT UMSL | TO MAKE ITS COLLECTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE WIDEST NUMBER OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL USERS | St louis, MO, US | 2024 |
| $603,256 | GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY FOUNDATION | TO DEVELOP A NETWORK OF GREENWAYS TO MAKE THE ST. LOUIS REGION A MORE VIBRANT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AN... | St louis, MO, US | 2024 |
| $500,000 | CORTEX | TO SUPPORT BIOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH | St louis, MO, US | 2023 |
| $400,000 | GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY | TO DEVELOP A NETWORK OF GREENWAYS TO MAKE THE ST. LOUIS REGION A MORE VIBRANT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AN... | St louis, MO, US | 2023 |
People
Compensation data from most recent available 990 forms
| Title | |||
|---|---|---|---|
VV
VIRGINIA V SMITH
| PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | $0 | 2024 |
RB
ROBERT B SMITH III
| CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | $0 | 2024 |
SD
SALLY DUFFIELD
| TRUSTEE | $0 | 2024 |
CD
CARRIE D PITTENGER
| TRUSTEE | $0 | 2024 |
JJ
JOHN J WOLFE
| TRUSTEE | $0 | 2024 |
VIRGINIA V SMITH
PRESIDENT/SECRETARY
ROBERT B SMITH III
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
SALLY DUFFIELD
TRUSTEE
CARRIE D PITTENGER
TRUSTEE
JOHN J WOLFE
TRUSTEE
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Financial data sourced from IRS 990 forms via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
View on ProPublica Nonprofit ExplorerLast updated on August 25, 2025