Private foundation · EIN 83-2091267 · Medina, Washington · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Bernier McCaw 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: 28 grants paid, $4.5M total, median $50K. 86% of grants stayed in Washington.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
28
$4.5M
Median grant
$50K
Stays in WA
86%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$4.2M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Tubman Center for Health & FreedomSeattle, WAAshay$667K
Northwest Film ForumSeattle, WAWa na wari general operating support$504K
Independent SectorWashington, DCCenter on excellence for the nonprofit workforce$500K
350 SeattleSeattle, WASeattle king county african american reparations committee$400K
Sacred Land CollectiveAuburn, WAGeneral operating support$400K
The Who We Are ProjectSeattle, WAGeneral operating support$400K
YWCA of Seattlekingsnohomish CountySeattle, WAStrategic direction initiatives$333K
Byrd Barr PlaceSeattle, WABipoc ed coalition now known as ile kimoyo$200K
Davidson College Annual FundDavidson, NCThelma adair pavilion at the george lawrence abernethy library$200K
Renton Regional Community FoundationRenton, WACapacity building$200K
Fred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattle, WASupport of gynecologic research and cancer equity$175K
Africatown Community Land TrustSeattle, WAGeneral operating support$100K
Washington Community AllianceBellingham, WABuilding to last campaign$100K
Cierra SistersRenton, WAGeneral operating support$50K
Native Action NetworkSeattle, WANative women's leadership forum$50K
The Seattle Times Community Impact FundSeattle, WAInvestigative journalism fund$50K
King County Sexual Assault Resource CenterRenton, WAGeneral operating support$25K
Urban League of Metropolitan SeattleSeattle, WAEconomic recovery and reconciliation alliance with respect campaign$25K
Bellevue LifespringBellevue, WAUncork the night sponsorship$20K
Bellevue LifespringBellevue, WAGeneral operating support$20K
Youth Services AmericaWashington, DCGuides.vote general operating support$20K
Business Impact NwTukwila, WAIntentionalist buy black card$15K
Estelita's LibrarySeattle, WAFood pantry$10K
PhilanosEllicott City, MDNational conference sponsorship$10K
Social Venture PartnersSeattle, WAStatewide capacity collaborative membership$7,500
Yakima Valley Community FoundationYakima, WA2025 central washington conference for the greater good$7,500
Northwest Children's FoundationSeattle, WA2025 forum sponsorship$5,000
Northwest Children's FoundationSeattle, WA2026 forum sponsorship$5,000

By state: Washington 24 · District of Columbia 2 · North Carolina 1 · Maryland 1

About this foundation

Bernier McCaw Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Medina, Washington, administered in care of Nell Elizabeth McCaw, tax-exempt since 2019. 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 Bernier McCaw 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 Bernier McCaw Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $4.5M across 28 grants, a median of $50K.

Where does Bernier McCaw Foundation give?

Washington (24 grants), District of Columbia (2 grants), North Carolina (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Medina that accept applications

All in Washington
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Aven Foundationsince 2001 Medina, WA $9.0M48 grants · 2024 $25KYes $75M
Friday Foundationsince 2014 Medina, WA $3.5M2 grants · 2024 $1.8MPreselected only $32M
Connors Family Foundationsince 2005 Medina, WA $236K5 grants · 2025 $55KPreselected only $10.0M
Brotman Family Foundationsince 2002 Medina, WA $672K9 grants · 2024 $5,000Preselected only $9.3M
Arakawa Foundationsince 2017 Medina, WA $1.3M14 grants · 2025 $100KPreselected only $8.4M
Nordstrom-Seifert Family Foundationsince 2002 Medina, WA $375K26 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $6.5M
Stevens Family Foundationsince 2006 Medina, WA $243K40 grants · 2025 $1,750Preselected only $3.8M
Jwpl Foundationsince 2012 Medina, WA $442K3 grants · 2025 $1,000Preselected only $3.5M
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