B.W. Bastian Foundation
OVERVIEW: The B.W. Bastian funds the performing arts, LGBTQ rights and HIV/AIDS advocacy.
IP TAKE: Grantseekers should know that this modest funder may be reluctant to provide multi-year support. In fact, grantees that receive funding for several years in a row may be asked to refrain from applying again. Funding is also limited to the U.S. Intermountain West region (Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana).
Interested grantseekers must first contact executive director Michael Marriott, either by email or by phone, and make their introduction in order to be invited to apply. This is not a particularly easy nut to crack.
PROFILE: The Utah-based B.W. Bastian Foundation was founded in 1997 by tech entrepreneur Bruce Bastian, co-founder of WordPerfect Software. Bastian’s philanthropy has centered on cultural arts and LGBTQ equality; he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Human Rights Campaign. The foundation seeks to “build community and understanding by supporting local and national institutions.” The foundation predominantly invests in the arts, LGBTQ rights, and work on HIV/AIDS; however, it has also funded environmental organizations, wildlife funds and homeless shelters.
Grants for LGBTQ, Civic and Democracy
The B.W. Bastian Foundation will only fund organizations that “wholeheartedly embrace the principle of equality” and whose applications explicitly “include a statement specifically stating their commitment of equality for all Americans, including the gay and lesbian community.” It primarily invests in organizations whose work relates to LGBTQ individuals, especially concerning civil rights, legal resources and advocacy, HIV/AIDS, and shelters and other resources for LGBTQ youth. Grantees include Equality Utah Foundation, Lambda Legal, GLAD, LGBT Resource Center of University of Utah, Utah Pride Center and Transgender Legal Defense Fund. Bastian also supports a number of progressive policy outfits and think tanks such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and Center for American Progress.
Grants for Public Health and Diseases
The B.W. Bastian Foundation’s giving for public health and diseases primarily centers on research, treatment, awareness, and advocacy relating to HIV and AIDS in the LGBTQ community. Past grantees include the Utah AIDS Foundation, Northern Utah Coalition and 4th Street Clinic.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The B.W. Bastian Foundation broadly funds major arts and cultural institutions in Salt Lake City and Utah in general, as well as smaller, local outfits and arts outreach initiatives. The foundation does not seem to show a particular preference for art concerning LGBTQ subject matters. Grantees include Utah Symphony and Orchestra, Ballet West, SBDance, Salt Lake Acting Company, Salt Lake Symphony, Utah Film Center, Utah Youth Symphony and Art Access.
Other
In addition to arts and LGBTQ causes, the B.W. Bastian Foundation may support other efforts in Utah and the Intermountain West, such as animal welfare, homelessness, bullying, disaster relief and human services.
Important Grant Details:
This funder made a little over $700,000 in grants in a recent year. Most of Bastian’s grants fall in the $100 to $15,000 range, and the foundation tends to avoid multi-year grants. The foundation does not award grants to individuals and prioritizes grantseekers based in the Intermountain West region (Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana), though it may also consider proposals from organizations working at a national level. Click here for a recent list of grant recipients.
The B.W. Bastian Foundation does not currently accept unsolicited grant proposals. The foundation’s board meets three times a year to review proposals.
PEOPLE:
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