The Bamford Foundation
Historical FunderTacoma, Washington · EIN 91-1504193 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$1.7M
Organizations funded140
Typical grant$8,000
Total assets$24.3M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $12,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | HOLLY BAMFORD |
|---|---|
| Address | PO BOX 1135, TACOMA WA 98401 |
| Phone | 2539057614 |
| HOLLY@BAMFORDFOUNDATION.ORG | |
| Form and materials | THE BAMFORD FOUNDATION HAS NOW ADOPTED AN ONLINE GRANTS PORTAL THROUGH WHICH ORGANIZATIONS MAY SUBMIT A LETTER OF INQUIRY. WWW.GRANTINTERFACE.COM. SEE WWW.BAMFORDFOUNDATION.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
| Deadlines | FOR 2025, GRANT CYCLES WILL OCCUR DURING THE WINTER, SPRING, AND SUMMER QUARTERS. |
| Restrictions | FOR 2025, THE FOUNDATION WILL FOCUS ON LEVERAGING THE IMPACT OF SMALL (LESS THAN 15,000) SIZE GRANTS WITH BOTH NEW AND EXISTING GRANT PARTNERS. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO MAKE GRANTS ALIGNED WITH FOUR PRIORITY GIVING AREAS, PRIMARILY WITHIN THE GREATER TACOMA AND PIERCE COUNTY, IN THE SPIRT OF OUR FOUNDERS' MISSION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITIES. OUR FOUR GIVING PRIORITIES: BASIC NEEDS, EARLY LEARNING AND PARENT SUPPORT, EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, POST-SECONDARY ED & JOB TRAINING. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
1% of grants went outside Washington.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties | Tacoma, WA | Pearl street y campaign support | $166,666 |
| Foundation for Tacoma Students | Tacoma, WA | General support | $82,500 |
| Asia Pacific Cultural Center | Tacoma, WA | Education and mentoring programs. | $65,000 |
| First 5 Fundamentals | Tacoma, WA | General support | $50,264 |
| Greater Tacoma Community Foundation | Tacoma, WA | General support | $50,000 |
| Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center | Tacoma, WA | General support | $50,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Tacoma | Tacoma, WA | Program support | $48,000 |
| Brightspark Early Learning Services | Renton, WA | Advocacy grant | $40,000 |
| Foss Waterway Seaport Museum | Tacoma, WA | Program support | $35,000 |
| Goodwill of the Olympics and Ranier | Tacoma, WA | Postsecondary pathways - general support | $25,000 |
| Tacomapierce County Habitat for Humanity | Tacoma, WA | Basic needs - general support | $25,000 |
| The Trust for Public Land | Tacoma, WA | Basic needs | $25,000 |
| Comprehensive Life Resources | Tacoma, WA | Program support | $20,000 |
| Goodroots Northwest | Bonney Lake, WA | General support | $20,000 |
| Tacoma Parks Foundation | Tacoma, WA | General support | $20,000 |
| The Big Homie Program | Tacoma, WA | Expanded learning opp. | $20,000 |
| University of Washington Foundation (Uw-Tacoma) | Seattle, WA | Milgard hall campaign and iige support | $20,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA | Program support | $18,000 |
| American Leadership Forum | Tacoma, WA | General support | $17,000 |
| Oasis Youth Center | Tacoma, WA | Expanded learning opportunities - general support | $16,000 |
| Tacid | Tacoma, WA | Job training for individuals with disabilities | $15,500 |
| Amara | Tacoma, WA | Program support | $15,000 |
| Associated Ministries | Tacoma, WA | Access 4 point housing and outreach support. | $15,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound | Seattle, WA | General support | $15,000 |
| Emergency Food Network of Tacoma | Tacoma, WA | Access to postsecondary edu. | $15,000 |
| Making a Difference Foundation | Tacoma, WA | General program support | $15,000 |
| Metropolitan Development Council | Tacoma, WA | Program and general support | $15,000 |
| Rainers Scholars | Tacoma, WA | Postsecondary pathways - general support | $15,000 |
| Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County | Tacoma, WA | General program support | $15,000 |
| Schools Out Washington | Seattle, WA | General support | $15,000 |
| Start Early Washington | Chicago, IL | General support | $15,000 |
| Symphony Tacoma | Tacoma, WA | Program support - family concert series | $15,000 |
| Tacoma Arts Live | Tacoma, WA | Program and general support | $15,000 |
| Tacoma Community Boat Builders | Tacoma, WA | General operations support | $15,000 |
| Tra Medical Imaging Foundation | Tacoma, WA | Scholarship fund | $15,000 |
| Degrees of Change | Tacoma, WA | General support | $12,000 |
| Friends of the Children | Tacoma, WA | Program and general support | $12,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Washington | Seattle, WA | Biztown scholarships program support | $12,000 |
| Northwest Education Access | Seattle, WA | Program support - pierce county student postsecondary access | $12,000 |
| Raising Girls | Tacoma, WA | Program and general support | $12,000 |
| Reach Out and Read Northwest | Tacoma, WA | Early learning - general support | $12,000 |
| Tacoma Community House | Tacoma, WA | Capital campaign | $12,000 |
| Arts Impact | Federal Way, WA | Tacoma creative impact | $10,000 |
| Bryant Neighborhood Center | Tacoma, WA | General support | $10,000 |
| Cjk Community Homes | Tacoma, WA | Program support | $10,000 |
| Consejo Counseling and Referral Service | Tacoma, WA | Expanded learning opp. | $10,000 |
| Girl Scouts of Western Washington | Seattle, WA | General support | $10,000 |
| Harbor Hope Center | Gig Harbor, WA | General support | $10,000 |
| Journeymen Institute | Vashon, WA | Basic needs | $10,000 |
| Look Listen and Learn | Tukwila, WA | Early learning - general support | $10,000 |
| No More Under | Seattle, WA | Expanded learning opportunities - general support | $10,000 |
| Open Doors for Multicultural Families | Tacoma, WA | Early learning - general support | $10,000 |
| Our Sister's House | Tacoma, WA | Program support - dv housing and wraparound support | $10,000 |
| Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program | Tacoma, WA | Basic needs | $10,000 |
| Peace Works United Inc | Lakewood, WA | Youth media program support | $10,000 |
| Psesd Learning Communities Foundation | Tacoma, WA | Basic needs | $10,000 |
| Push for Dreams | Tacoma, WA | General support youth programs | $10,000 |
| Tacoma Urban League | Tacoma, WA | Youth program support | $10,000 |
| Tacoma Youth Chorus | Tacoma, WA | General support | $10,000 |
| Washington Women in Need | Kirkland, WA | General support | $10,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 140 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,712,705 | 140 |
| 2024 | $1,534,718 | 156 |
| 2023 | $35,000 | 3 |
| 2022 | $2,031,233 | 97 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Jun 26, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611779349100106
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 91-1504193
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.