Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Contact information:
P.O. Box 16630
Missoula, MT 59808
Phone: 406-523-1300
Website: http://www.dpwfoundation.org/contact.php
Type of foundation: Funded by donations from The Washington Companies and the Washington family.
Types of grants: Project, scholarship, general.
Description: The Washington Companies, founded by industrialist and entrepreneur Dennis R. Washington, are privately held companies active in the core industries of rail and marine transportation, aviation, environmental remediation and restoration services, real estate, heavy equipment sales and service and mining. The companies are headquartered throughout Montana, the Pacific Northwest and western Canada and conduct business internationally. Dennis Washington also formed Washington Group International, a public global construction and engineering company, and served as its chairman prior to its acquisition by URS in 2008.
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. Primary funding for the Foundation comes from the profits of The Washington Companies and personal contributions from the Washington Family.
The Foundation makes grants in the areas of education, health/human services, arts/culture and community service. The Foundation prefers to support organizations that provide direct services to economically and socially disadvantaged youth and their families, at-risk or troubled youth and individuals with special needs. It prefers organizations with "no or low" administrative costs. It also prefers to support organizations that have substantial financial support from their community, constituent groups or other funders. The Foundation encourages organizations with similar goals to form partnerships.
Sample grants:
- $200,000 challenge grant in support of the National Folk Festival's return to Butte July 9-11. In 2008, the Foundation sponsored the Family Area of the Festival. In 2009, it funded the Main Stage with a $100,000 contribution (2009).
- $50,000 to Missoula Community Performing Arts (2007).
- $2,500 to Helena Civic TV (2007).
Fit for public broadcasting: There is some evidence of support for public media. There may be more opportunities for projects that clearly support the Foundation's primary interest areas and/or involve partnerships for greater impact.
Eligibility: To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be classified as tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). Preference is given to organizations in The Washington Companies' areas of operation within Montana and other states where The Washington Companies are located. The Foundation will not support:
- Loans, debt retirement or operational deficits.
- Individuals, unless under an approved educational scholarship program.
- Travel expenses or trips.
- Most capital and equipment campaigns.
- Operation expenses of tax-supported groups.
- Sponsorships including auctions, dinners, tickets, advertising or annual fundraising events.
Deadline: None, but see How to apply (below). There is about a 90-day window to submit a full application.
How to apply: The first step is to complete the online eligibility review. The next step is to submit the online Preliminary Application Form. If the Foundation is interested in a full proposal, it will provide by e-mail a link to the online Full Application Form. The link to the Full Application Form will be valid for 90 days only. Applicants must submit the full application within these 90 days, or their request will be voided and they will be ineligible to submit any other request for the remainder of the calendar year. All applications must be submitted via the online application process.
Giving range: As high as $250,000. Most grants are under $25,000.
Assets: $193,413,843 (2007)
Total giving: $1,590,161 (2007)
