Seattle Foundation
Contact information:
1200 5th Avenue, Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98101-3151
Phone: 206-622-2294
Fax: 206-622-7673
E-mail: info@seattlefoundation.org
Website: http://www.seattlefoundation.org/
Type of foundation: Community foundation
Types of grants: Building/renovation, capital campaigns, equipment, general/operating support.
Description: Started in 1946, the Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in the state of Washington. After 60 years, the Foundation has grown into a central philanthropic resource, awarding more than $63 million to over 2,000 organizations and promising initiatives in King County and beyond. The Foundation is creating a healthy community through engaged philanthropy, community knowledge, and leadership. The Foundation has identified the following program areas:
- Anne V. Farrell Leadership Grant: A $100,000 grant is made annually to recognize an organization addressing a pressing community need in an innovative way. The topic of the grant changes each year to reflect the needs of the King County community.
- Arts and Culture: Organizations in this field may be working in areas including, but not limited to music, art and literature, drama, dance, cultural heritage and historical societies, community celebrations, public art and film.
- Basic Needs: Organizations in this field may be working in areas including, but not limited to hunger, affordable housing, homelessness and emergency housing, discrimination and legal services.
- Economy: Organizations in this field may be working in the areas including, but not limited to job training and apprenticeships, small business, micro-loans and micro-credit and technical assistance.
- Education: Organizations in this field may be working in the areas including, but not limited to support for school children, early learning, caregiver support, job training, continuing education, distance learning, libraries, public radio and television, ESL, after-school programs and youth development.
- Environment: Organizations in this field may be working in areas including, but not limited to clean air and water, preservation and access to parks and greenspace, environmental education, natural resource management/preservation and protection of wilderness and species.
- Health and Wellness: Organizations in this field may be working in areas including, but not limited to physical fitness, preventative care, mental health, alternative health, healthcare access, medical and dental care, long term care, domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, chronic illness, medical research and domestic animals.
- Neighborhoods and Communities: Organizations in this field may be working in areas including, but not limited to social support, safety, parks and recreation, neighborhood walkability and active living, civic participation, leadership development, capacity building, community development, neighborhood cohesion, networking, community gardens, mutual assistance and community service.
Sample grants:
- $750,000 to Jungle Aviation and Radio Service, Waxhaw, NC for Kodiak aircraft; Program development (2005).
- $225,000 to ETV Endowment of South Carolina, Spartanburg, SC for 'Poisoned Waters,' PBS Frontline documentary; ETV and ETV radio (2008).
- $51,000 to Visionaries, Stoughton, MA for production of Alaska Wilderness League episode to be used on public television (2005).
- $40,000 to KCTS Television, Seattle, WA for general operating support (2006).
- $30,000 to Washington Public Affairs TV Network, Olympia, WA for Campaign to Expand Access (2006).
- $30,000 to Bainbridge Island Television, Bainbridge Island, WA for purchase of community news-gathering vehicle (2009).
Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation has made multiple gifts for public media and has identified media as a specific area of interest. The Foundation has made 100 grants for radio/television projects over the past seven years, totaling more than $2 million.
Eligibility: Giving limited to King County, WA. No support for religious purposes. No grants for endowment funds, debt reduction, fundraising events, fundraising feasibility projects, conferences or seminars, film or video production, publications, or operating expenses for public or private elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities.
Deadline: February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15
How to apply: First-time applicants should call before submitting an application to learn if their organization is an appropriate fit for funding. Application forms and guidelines are available online. Applications must be received in both e-mail and postal service forms to be considered. Faxed applications are not accepted.
Giving range: The average gift for radio/television is approximately $20,000. The Foundation has made gifts as high as $5.2 million.
Assets: $506,949,751 (2008)
Total giving: $61,419,126 (2008)
View 2008 Annual Report [PDF].
