Foundations that fund organizations in Des Moines, Washington
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Des Moines nonprofits
40 private foundations gave $760K to Des Moines organizations in their latest filings; 15 of the 40 that say either way accept applications.
48 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Des Moines around $5,000. 19 of these funders are based in Washington; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 40
- Accept applications
- 15
- of 40 that state a policy
- Dollars to Des Moines
- $760K
- latest filings
- Grants
- 48
- Typical median grant
- $5,000
- Based in WA
- 48%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Des Moines organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Herbert Jones Foundation C/O Keybank Private Bank Trust Officer | Seattle, WA | 1 | $277K | $277K | Preselected only | Grant for entrepreneurship program |
| Dscw Kennedy Foundation | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | For ocean animals |
| Head & Heart Foundation Tr 12319 | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | General support |
| Two Herons Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $40K | $40K | Preselected only | Support rescue of marine animals in need of vital meals and… |
| The Vernoy Family Foundation | Las Vegas, NV | 1 | $35K | $35K | Preselected only | Program support |
| Cross Charitable Foundation Attn John R Clark | Bozeman, MT | 1 | $30K | $30K | Yes | General fund |
| The Dean Witter Foundation C/O Kramer Blum and Associates | San Rafael, CA | 1 | $30K | $30K | Yes | To rescue and protect marine mammals in the pacific northwe… |
| Wardle Family Foundation | Charlottesville, VA | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Contribution for youth development in haiti |
| The Jem Project | Tiburon, CA | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | Delivering life-saving care to orphaned seals, fueling emer… |
| The Norcliffe Foundation | Seattle, WA | 2 | $15K | $7,500 | Yes | Mental health first aid training; General operating |
| Mms Giving Foundation | Burien, WA | 2 | $12K | $6,000 | Yes | Mast center; In furtherance of 501(c)(3) charitable purpose |
| Edward F Limato Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Program support |
| Patagoniaorg | Ventura, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | To support environmental projects. |
| The Winton Charitable Trust | Des Moines, WA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General donation |
| The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | Environmental protection |
| Bnsf Railway Foundation | Fort Worth, TX | 3 | $9,200 | $3,000 | Yes | Matching gifts 1 |
| Hickman Leona Educational Trust | Eagan, MN | 1 | $6,269 | $6,269 | Yes | Scholarships |
| Ellison Foundation | Bellevue, WA | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Yes | Education |
| Eberle Vivian Foundation | Auburn, WA | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Preselected only | First charitable purpose |
| Puget Sound Energy Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 2 | $5,125 | $2,562 | Preselected only | Puget sound energy foundation 'powerful scholars' scholarsh…; General & unrestricted |
| Alaska Airlines Foundation | Anchorage, AK | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | SR3's SeaLife Rescue Center is the only place in the Pacifi… |
| Gates Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Washington state education and human service needs |
| Hillsdale Fund | Greensboro, NC | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exem… |
| Arizala Foundation | Ann Arbor, MI | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Rent to prevent eviction |
| Keith & Mary Kay McCaw Family Found | Seattle, WA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Sealife rehab and research |
| Reuben's Brews Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $4,631 | $4,631 | Yes | 501c3 organization - social |
| Victor Dipietro Family Foundation | Tukwila, WA | 2 | $4,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Education; Annual catholic appeal |
| Wags and Menace Make a Difference Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 3 | $4,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | emergency medical care fund; In support of medical fund; In support of emergency medical care and medical supplies |
| The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $3,350 | $3,350 | Yes | Human services |
| Kimley-Horn Foundation | Raleigh, NC | 1 | $2,700 | $2,700 | Preselected only | Shop with a cop |
| Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation Trust | Wilsonville, OR | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Yes | General operating (rose grant) |
| SOS Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Charitable gift |
| Willman-Crowley Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | Support for non-profit eldercare community |
| George Washington Foundation | Yakima, WA | 1 | $1,050 | $1,050 | Preselected only | Scholarships |
| Laird Norton Family Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Employee matching donation |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | Educational institutions and related activities |
| Live Like Raija | Seattle, WA | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | Travel and educational grant |
| McKinstry Charitable Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | Food Security |
| The Martin Family Foundation | Ocean Shores, WA | 1 | — | Preselected only | Scholarships | |
| The Institute for Spiritual Research Inc | Sedona, AZ | 1 | — | Preselected only | Charitable |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Des Moines, Washington?
The Herbert Jones Foundation C/O Keybank Private Bank Trust Officer, Dscw Kennedy Foundation, Head & Heart Foundation Tr 12319, Two Herons Foundation, The Vernoy Family Foundation and 35 others reported grants to Des Moines organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Des Moines. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.