Becton Family Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Becton Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, the arts, the environment, health, and human services.
IP TAKE: The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines. It appears to conduct its grantmaking proactively, giving primarily based on the board’s interests. Much of its funding goes to schools and other organizations with which its board members have a close personal connection. Tax records show that it generally gives to the same recurring beneficiaries each year, with only a few new recipients.
PROFILE: Established in 1998, the Becton Family Foundation bears the name of late patriarch Henry Prentiss Becton, former chairman of medical device company Becton, Dickinson and Company. The foundation is now steered by next generation family members. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest the Becton Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, the arts, the environment, health, and human services.
Grants for Education
The Becton Foundation’s education grantmaking primarily supports schools with which the family has a personal connection, including Yale University, Henry P. Becton’s alma mater, and Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he served as vice chairman of the board. Other grantees include the George Stevens Academy, Deerfield Academy, and Waring School.
Grants for Community Development
The Becton Foundation’s community development grantmaking centers around health, human services, and basic needs in its giving areas. Grantees include Shelter for Abused Women and Children, Island Health and Wellness Foundation, Tree of Life, Compassion & Choices, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Friends in Action, Peninsula Ambulance Corps, and Blue Hill Fire Company.
Grants for Arts & Culture
The Becton Foundation’s grants for arts & culture primarily support performing arts, museums, libraries, and arts education in Maine and other giving areas. Grantees include Kneisel Hall, Blue Hill Public Library, Community Arts Music Association, Lobero Theatre Foundation, Bates College Museum of Art, Santa Barbara Choral Society, Yale School of Art, and New England Conservatory of Music.
Grants for Environment
The Becton Foundation’s environment grantmaking primarily supports land and marine conservation in Maine and other giving areas. Grantees include Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, Island Institute, Oceana, Natural Resources Council, and Main Farmland Trust.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $500 to $32,500. In a recent year, the foundation gave away $445,000. Learn more about past giving in the funder’s past grant history.
The foundation’s giving focuses on Maine, with other grants going to states like Massachusetts and New Jersey.
The foundation conducts grantmaking proactively and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
Grantseekers may contact the foundation at (239) 775-4466 for more information.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Becton Family Foundation
PO Box 308
Homosassa, FL 34487
