Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Washington
720 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Washington, holding $180B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 20 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gates Foundation Trustsince 1995 | Kirkland, WA | $7.1B2 grants · 2024 | $3.5B | Preselected only | $76B |
| Gates Foundationsince 2007 | Seattle, WA | $6.3B4,974 grants · 2024 | $500K | Yes | $77B |
| Bezos Family Foundationsince 2003 | Seattle, WA | $350M1 grants · 2024 | $350M | Preselected only | $154M |
| M J Murdock Charitable Trustsince 1975 | Vancouver, WA | $117M797 grants · 2024 | $87K | Yes | $1.9B |
| Roots and Wings Foundation Incsince 2019 | Seattle, WA | $67M518 grants · 2024 | $55K | Preselected only | $612M |
| Allen Family Philanthropiessince 1989 | Seattle, WA | $58M112 grants · 2024 | $300K | Preselected only | $1.3B |
| Norcliffe Foundationsince 1954 | Seattle, WA | $56M454 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $815M |
| Satterberg Foundationsince 1991 | Seattle, WA | $43M286 grants · 2024 | $125K | Yes | $426M |
| Marguerite Casey Foundationsince 2000 | Seattle, WA | $33M208 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $877M |
| Kaphan Foundationsince 2005 | Seattle, WA | $23M86 grants · 2024 | $225K | Preselected only | $141M |
| Wilburforce Foundationsince 1991 | Seattle, WA | $19M225 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $153M |
| Giving Grousbeck Fazzalarisince 2011 | Seattle, WA | $18M43 grants · 2023 | $50K | Yes | $309M |
| Washington Research Foundationsince 2014 | Seattle, WA | $16M86 grants · 2024 | $102K | Preselected only | $341M |
| Fund for Science and Technologysince 2025 | Seattle, WA | $15M4 grants · 2024 | $2.0M | Preselected only | $2.9M |
| Ken Birdwell Foundationsince 2019 | Seattle, WA | $14M280 grants · 2024 | $19K | Preselected only | $147M |
| Christ Cares for Kids Foundationsince 2000 | Issaquah, WA | $13M27 grants · 2025 | $210K | Preselected only | $230M |
| Schultz Family Foundationsince 1998 | Seattle, WA | $12M66 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $355M |
| Raikes Foundationsince 2002 | Seattle, WA | $11M269 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $98M |
| Grousemont Foundationsince 1985 | Seattle, WA | $10M179 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $240M |
| Aven Foundationsince 2001 | Medina, WA | $9.0M48 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $75M |
| Medina Foundationsince 1949 | Seattle, WA | $8.9M238 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $117M |
| Konzen Family Foundationsince 2021 | Issaquah, WA | $8.4M69 grants · 2025 | $80K | Preselected only | $243M |
| Stolte Family Foundationsince 2015 | Seattle, WA | $8.4M97 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $66M |
| Samis Foundationsince 1995 | Seattle, WA | $8.3M73 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $109M |
| Wayne D Kuni and Joan E Kunisince 2017 | Vancouver, WA | $7.6M42 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $172M |
| David and Amy Fulton Foundationsince 1997 | Seattle, WA | $7.5M3 grants · 2024 | $2.8M | Preselected only | $58M |
| Sahsen Foundationsince 2010 | Seattle, WA | $7.3M1 grants · 2025 | $7.3M | Preselected only | $179M |
| Names Family Foundationsince 1996 | Fircrest, WA | $7.0M177 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $178M |
| Vista Hermosasince 1995 | Pasco, WA | $6.1M86 grants · 2024 | $54K | Yes | $175M |
| Apex Foundationsince 1999 | Bellevue, WA | $5.7M202 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $148M |
| Stewardship Foundation C D a B & W T Weyerhaeuser Tteessince 1971 | Tacoma, WA | $5.5M101 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $97M |
| Sage Foundationsince 2004 | Arlington, WA | $5.2M18 grants · 2024 | $138K | Preselected only | $54M |
| Harnish Foundationsince 2006 | Tukwila, WA | $5.0M62 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $99M |
| Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Marksince 2016 | Tacoma, WA | $4.9M45 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $120M |
| Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-Carisince 2016 | Tacoma, WA | $4.9M23 grants · 2025 | $100K | Yes | $127M |
| Laidir Foundationsince 2015 | Seattle, WA | $4.0M22 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $72M |
| College Spark Washingtonsince 1983 | Seattle, WA | $3.9M50 grants · 2024 | $60K | Yes | $124M |
| Li Lu Foundationsince 2012 | Seattle, WA | $3.9M12 grants · 2024 | $75K | Preselected only | $103M |
| Biella Foundationsince 1989 | Bothell, WA | $3.6M164 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $59M |
| Vadon Foundationsince 2014 | Seattle, WA | $3.5M39 grants · 2024 | $75K | Preselected only | $54M |
| Ben B Cheney Foundation Incsince 1957 | Tacoma, WA | $3.4M136 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $69M |
| Hoveida Family Foundationsince 2021 | Bainbridge Is, WA | $3.1M32 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $63M |
| Echo Valley Foundationsince 2022 | Lynden, WA | $3.0M23 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $89M |
| Pwh Educational Foundation Incsince 1995 | Spokane, WA | $2.8M1 grants · 2024 | $2.8M | Yes | $66M |
| Oscar T and Olivann Hokoldfoundationsince 2006 | Lakewood, WA | $2.8M31 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $109M |
| Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-Lorisince 2016 | Tacoma, WA | $2.4M28 grants · 2025 | $50K | Yes | $67M |
| Foster Foundationsince 1984 | Kirkland, WA | $2.3M59 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $57M |
| Keller Foundationsince 1997 | Vancouver, WA | $2.0M35 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $100M |
| The Russell Family Foundationsince 1995 | Gig Harbor, WA | $2.0M128 grants · 2024 | $8,500 | Yes | $77M |
| 47th Avenue Foundationsince 2021 | Bellevue, WA | $1.9M50 grants · 2024 | $24K | Preselected only | $60M |
| Excellence Initiativesince 2018 | Redmond, WA | $1.3M3 grants · 2024 | $125K | Preselected only | $89M |
| Empire Health Foundationsince 2010 | Spokane, WA | $1.1M66 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $88M |
| Vatheuer Family Foundation Incsince 1996 | Hobart, WA | $1.1M52 grants · 2024 | $1,648 | Preselected only | $54M |
| Neukom Family Foundationsince 1997 | Seattle, WA | $1.1M3 grants · 2024 | $300K | Preselected only | $69M |
| Jubilee Foundationsince 1999 | Pasco, WA | $2,0522 grants · 2024 | $1,026 | Yes | $200M |
| Pivotal Philanthropies Opportunity Foundationsince 2023 | Redmond, WA | — | — | Preselected only | $963M |
| Pivotal Philanthropies Pathways Fou Ndationsince 2024 | Redmond, WA | — | — | Preselected only | $963M |
| Pivotal Philanthropies Momentum Foundationsince 2023 | Redmond, WA | — | — | Preselected only | $963M |
| Special Projects and Creative Energiessince 1986 | Seattle, WA | — | — | Preselected only | $101M |
| Laura Ellen & Robert Muglia Family Foundation 340-74c18since 2001 | Mercer Island, WA | — | — | Not stated | $93M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Washington
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | ArtsWA (Washington State Arts Commission) — Organizational GrantsStateArtsWA (Washington State Arts Commission) | ArtsWA (Washington State Arts Commission) | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Humanities Washington — Humanities GrantsStateHumanities Washington | Humanities Washington | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Washington?
Our directory lists 720 private grantmaking foundations in Washington with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $180B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.