The Foster Foundation
Historical FunderKirkland, Washington · EIN 91-1265474 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$2.3M
Organizations funded59
Typical grant$10,000
Total assets$58.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $20,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | KAREN ROWE |
|---|---|
| Address | 13 CENTRAL WAY, KIRKLAND WA 98033 |
| Phone | 2067261815 |
| Form and materials | GRANT MAKING CRITERIA: INQUIRIES FOR FUNDING OF PROJECTS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE FOUNDATION'S PURPOSE SHOULD BE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED IN LETTER FORM. INCLUDED IN THIS LETTER SHOULD BE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT & ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. IF THE INQUIRY IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE FOUNDATION, A FORMAL APPLICATION WILL BE REQUESTED. A DETAILED APPLICATION SHOULD THEN BE PRESENTED & MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING: NAME AND ADDRESS OF ORGANIZATION PROOF OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS A LIST OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS A BRIEF HISTORY & SUMMARY OF PROGRAM AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FINANCIAL REPORTS, INCLUDING BUDGET FOR THE CURRENT YEAR PROJECT PLAN, A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT TO BE FUNDED, DEFINING THE NEED OR PROBLEM, OBJECTIVES, METHODS FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES, & A METHOD TO EVALUATE RESULTS. IF THE PROJECT IS INTENDED TO BE ONGOING, METHODS FOR ONGOING SUPPORT MUST BE PROVIDED. A DETAILED BUDGET FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING TOTAL AMOUNT NEEDED, AMOUNTS REQUESTED FROM THIS FOUNDATION AND FROM OTHER SOURCES |
| Deadlines | NONE -- RESPONSE TO SUBMISSION USUALLY MADE WITHIN 90 DAYS |
| Restrictions | PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION: TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND ALASKA THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF QUALIFIED NEEDS IN AREA OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, EDUCATION, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, HEALTH, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. TYPES OF SUPPORT: GRANTS WILL BE AWARDED TO THE ORGANIZATIONS FOR ONE YEAR ONLY, GENERALLY IN THE FORM OF BUILDING FUNDS, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS, RESEARCH, MATCHING OR CHALLENGE GRANTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS. GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS WILL BE MADE AS SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS THROUGH A SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR UNIVERSITY. |
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 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uw Athletic Department | Seattle, WA | General | $750,000 |
| Swedish Medical Center Foundation | Seattle, WA | Medical | $260,000 |
| Montlake Futures | Seattle, WA | General | $160,000 |
| Overlake Medical Center Foundation | Bellevue, WA | Social services | $135,000 |
| Seattle Foundation | Seattle, WA | General | $127,792 |
| University of Washington - Foster School Building | Seattle, WA | Education | $100,000 |
| Northwest Harvest | Seattle, WA | Social services | $60,000 |
| Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center | Seattle, WA | Medical | $50,000 |
| Seattle Art Museum | Seattle, WA | General | $50,000 |
| Paws- Progressive Animal Welfare Society | Lynnwood, WA | Social services | $47,500 |
| Make-A-Wish | Seattle, WA | Social services | $35,000 |
| Overlake School | Redmond, WA | Social services | $25,000 |
| University of Washington - Tougher Together | Seattle, WA | Education | $22,500 |
| Seattle Children's Hospital | Seattle, WA | Medical | $20,000 |
| Youthcare | Seattle, WA | Social services | $20,000 |
| Akin | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Amara | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Bellevue Schools Foundation | Bellevue, WA | Education | $10,000 |
| Boyer Children's Clinic | Seattle, WA | Medical | $10,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue | Bellevue, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Camp Korey | Mount Vernon, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Cancer Lifeline | Seattle, WA | Medical | $10,000 |
| Compass Housing Alliance | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Downtown Emergency Service Center | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Evergreen Goodwill | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Farestart | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Hamlin Robinson School | Seattle, WA | Education | $10,000 |
| Healthpoint | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Hopelink | Redmond, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Jubilee Reach | Bellevue, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Jubilee Women's Center | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Kindering Center | Bellevue, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Lahai Health | Lynnwood, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Low Income Housing Institute | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Mary's Place Seattle | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Neighborcare Health | Seattle, WA | Medical | $10,000 |
| New Beginnings | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Northwest Center | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Outdoor for All Foundation | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Pacific Science Center Foundation | Seattle, WA | General | $10,000 |
| Providence Hospice of Seattle | Seattle, WA | Medical | $10,000 |
| Rainier Scholars | Seattle, WA | Education | $10,000 |
| Rise Above | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer | Seattle, WA | Medical | $10,000 |
| Ryther | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Seattle Opera | Seattle, WA | General | $10,000 |
| Sound Generations | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| St Martin de Porres Shelter | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| The Big Table | Spokane, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Tilth Alliance | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Together Center | Redmond, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Treehouse | Seattle, WA | Education | $10,000 |
| University of Washington Libraries | Seattle, WA | Education | $10,000 |
| Upower | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Wa Women in Need | Kirkland, WA | Education | $10,000 |
| Wellspring Family Services | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Seattle | Seattle, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Youth Eastside Services | Bellevue, WA | Social services | $10,000 |
| Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | Chicago, IL | Medical | $5,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,297,792 | 59 |
| 2023 | $2,180,096 | 62 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 15, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202503199349101030
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 91-1265474
- 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.