Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation collaborates with organizations to create innovative, scalable and, exportable program models in public education, supportive care, social impact theatre, and career pathways.
IP TAKE: Biller is guided by a collaborative approach, and actively chooses organizational partners who are aligned with its priority areas. So, if you’re looking for a funder with a hands-on approach that focuses on local needs, this is a good match. While it’s not a transparent or accessible funder, it’s approachable, so reach out to learn more about how this funder likes to collaborate with it’s grantees. Be ready to discuss your work succinctly and provide a project outline with a realistic, rather than idealistic, budget plan in the event they ask you to submit a proposal.
PROFILE: Established in 2001, the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation was founded by banker Les Biller and his wife Sheri. It seeks to “invest in bold ideas that inspire collective action in order to achieve powerful results.” Les retired as vice chairman and COO of Wells Fargo Bank in 2002. The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation collaborates with organizations to create innovative, scalable and, exportable program models in public education, supportive care, social impact theatre, and career pathways.
Biller’s Public Education area collaborates to build solutions through the “key areas of leadership, policy, governance, and engagement to inspire systems change and impact students’ lives.” It’s Supportive Care grantmaking focuses on the “psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones in tandem with a patient’s clinical treatment.” The Foundation’s Social Impact focus area “fosters the art form by expanding access to inspiring productions and immersive educational experiences.” Biller’s Career Pathways program focuses on career advancement through BankWork$, which prepares young adults from low-income and minority communities for careers in banking, and CareerWork$ Medical, which focuses on healthcare.
Important Grant Details:
In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $1.1 million. Partners include Green Dot Public Schools Washington, The League of Education Voters Foundation (LEV), Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and City of Hope, which received a $1 million gift o help educate oncologists, nurses and other health care professionals through the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center.
The Biller Family Foundation funds programs throughout the United States. It does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals. Instead, led by a collaborative approach, it actively chooses organizational partners who are aligned with its focus areas.
PEOPLE:
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