Our Approach
Bardo Foundation funds work that delivers clear and lasting public benefit. Our grantmaking is guided by evidence, feasibility, and collaboration, with a preference for projects that create leverage for future impact. We focus on work that is aligned with our mission, can be realistically achieved within the proposed timeline, and has strong leadership behind it. Whether sustaining our public charity’s operating capacity or awarding an opportunity grant, our aim is to strengthen the pediatric cancer ecosystem and improve the lives of children, families, and communities affected.
Eligibility
Opportunity Grants: US 501(c)(3) public charities or organizations with an eligible US fiscal sponsor
Sustaining Grants: The grantee is The Bardo Foundation.
All projects must have strong alignment with pediatric cancer, family well-being, or mission-adjacent health initiatives.
Projects must be charitable in purpose and free of any lobbying or partisan political activity.
Our Process
We use a simple, staged approach to grantmaking.
Inquiry — Prospective grantees submit a brief online form outlining the project.
Invitation — If aligned, we request a short proposal and conduct due diligence.
Decision & agreement — Grants are made with written agreements detailing restricted use, milestones, and reporting expectations.
Reporting — Grantees provide right-sized progress updates, outcomes, and lessons learned.
Review Criteria
When reviewing proposals, we consider: Mission fit - Public benefit and alignment with charitable purpose - Feasibility and clarity of plan - Team capacity and experience - Measurable outputs and outcomes - Potential to catalyze additional support or resources
FAQ
Do you accept unsolicited proposals?
Generally no. However, we review brief inquiries to determine fit.
Do you fund overhead?
Yes, if necessary, reasonable, and proportional to project impact.
Do you fund international projects?
Primarily US-based projects; select international work may be funded via a qualified US fiscal sponsor.
Do you make multi-year grants?
Case-by-case, depending on project scope, alignment, and available resources.
When are grants awarded?
We accept inquiries on a rolling basis, but the number of cycles each year is limited.
Invitation-Only Inquiry Form
Please complete the short form below to begin the conversation. We’ll review your inquiry and, if there’s a good fit, invite you to submit a short proposal with more detail.