Private foundation · EIN 36-7294980 · Seattle, Washington · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Bates Family Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 35 grants paid, $1.6M total, median $15K. 37% of grants stayed in Washington.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
35
$1.6M
Median grant
$15K
Stays in WA
37%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$11M

Grants paid in 2025

35 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Annie Wright SchoolTacoma, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$570K
University of WashingtonSeattle, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$140K
University of ChicagoChicago, ILPayment for the benefit of the organization$105K
Tacoma Museum of GlassTacoma, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$91K
University of Washuington FoundationSeattle, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$90K
Breakthrough T1dNew York, NYPayment for the benefit of the organization$50K
Cornell Lab of OrnithologyIthaca, NYPayment for the benefit of the organization$50K
Equine Land Conservation ResourceLexington, KYPayment for the benefit of the organization$50K
Shattuck St Mary's SchoolFaribault, MNPayment for the benefit of the organization$50K
The United States Pony Clubs IncLexington, KYPayment for the benefit of the organization$50K
Whitman CollegeWalla Walla, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$50K
Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$40K
St Paul's SchoolConcord, NHPayment for the benefit of the organization$30K
Baja Community FoundationSilverdale, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$25K
Pine Island Camp IncBrunswick, MEPayment for the benefit of the organization$25K
Zgirls FoundationBellevue, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$20K
Chesapeake Bay FoundationAnnapolis, MDPayment for the benefit of the organization$15K
St Martin's Lutheran SchoolAnnapolis, MDPayment for the benefit of the organization$15K
The Sycamore SchoolArlington, VAPayment for the benefit of the organization$15K
Tacoma Community HouseTacoma, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$13K
Alpha Chi Omega FoundationIndianapolis, INPayment for the benefit of the organization$10K
Amara - SeattleSeattle, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$10K
Annapolis Symphony OrchestraAnnapolis, MDPayment for the benefit of the organization$10K
Lift Me UpGreat Falls, VAPayment for the benefit of the organization$8,500
Detroit HorsepowerDetroit, MIPayment for the benefit of the organization$8,000
Fordham UniversityNew York, NYPayment for the benefit of the organization$8,000
Greenhill SchoolAddison, TXPayment for the benefit of the organization$8,000
Chinese Reconciliation Foundation ProjectTacoma, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$7,500
National Association of Episcopal SchoolsNew York, NYPayment for the benefit of the organization$7,500
Green TrikeTacoma, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$7,000
Anne Arundel Medical CenterAnnapolis, MDPayment for the benefit of the organization$5,000
Boys and Girls Club of Olympic PeninsulaPort Angeles, WAPayment for the benefit of the organization$5,000
University of Chicago Booth School of BusinessChicago, ILPayment for the benefit of the organization$5,000
Oakwood SchoolGreenville, NCPayment for the benefit of the organization$2,500
Washington University at St LouisSt Louis, MOPayment for the benefit of the organization$1,000

By state: Washington 13 · New York 4 · Illinois 2 · Kentucky 2 · Minnesota 1 · Maryland 4

About this foundation

Bates Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Seattle, Washington, administered in care of Rex W Bates Patricia a Matt Co Tt, tax-exempt since 2000. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Bates Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Bates Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.6M across 35 grants, a median of $15K.

Where does Bates Family Foundation give?

Washington (13 grants), New York (4 grants), Illinois (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Seattle that accept applications

All in Washington
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Gates Foundationsince 2007 Seattle, WA $6.3B4,974 grants · 2024 $500KYes $77B
Satterberg Foundationsince 1991 Seattle, WA $43M286 grants · 2024 $125KYes $447M
Norcliffe Foundationsince 1954 Seattle, WA $56M454 grants · 2024 $20KYes $815M
Schultz Family Foundationsince 1998 Seattle, WA $12M66 grants · 2024 $100KYes $375M
Giving Grousbeck Fazzalarisince 2011 Seattle, WA $18M43 grants · 2023 $50KYes $412M
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