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Oscar T and Olivann Hokold Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.8M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,823,895 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $169 million
  • Grant Median: $50,000
  • Grant Count: 31-37 grants annually
  • Geographic Focus: Washington State (primarily Pierce County region)
  • Application Process: Invitation only / Preselected organizations

Contact Details

Address: 2514 92nd St S, Lakewood, WA 98499
Phone: (253) 240-4771
EIN: 20-4298535

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or email listed.

Overview

The Oscar T and Olivann Hokold Foundation is a private family foundation established in August 2006 in Lakewood, Washington. Named after its founders (Oscar T. Hokold passed away in 2013), the foundation has grown to hold approximately $169 million in assets with annual charitable distributions exceeding $2.8 million. The foundation focuses on supporting charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational organizations "for the betterment of all mankind," with a strong emphasis on health, human services, and community development within Washington State. The foundation operates with a staff of two key personnel and maintains a concentrated grantmaking approach, typically awarding 31-37 grants annually to organizations primarily located in Pierce County and surrounding areas including Tacoma, Lakewood, Bellevue, Kent, Puyallup, Spanaway, Bonney Lake, Bremerton, and Seattle.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates with a single discretionary grantmaking program focused on general operating support. There are no formal grant programs or categories.

Typical Grant Range: While the median grant is $50,000, the foundation has distributed approximately $2.8 million across 31-37 organizations annually, suggesting a range that likely spans from smaller grants of $10,000-$25,000 to larger institutional grants potentially exceeding $100,000.

Application Method: The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. There is no formal application document or deadline system.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Children and Youth Services: Including organizations like Mary Bridge Children's Foundation and Boys and Girls Clubs
  • Human Services: Including Emergency Food Network and Rescue Mission
  • Community Development: Supporting organizations like Tacoma Community House and The Coffee Oasis
  • Health and Disease Prevention: With a stated focus on health and diseases/conditions
  • General Operating Support: The majority of grants are unrestricted operational funding

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's practice indicates:

  • Organizations outside Washington State
  • Organizations not registered as 501(c)(3) charities
  • Unsolicited grant requests (though they may be considered)

Governance and Leadership

Jean M. Patterson
President of the Foundation & CEO of Hokold
Compensation: $251,044 (40 hours/week)
Ms. Patterson serves as the primary decision-maker for the foundation's grantmaking activities.

Millie Schulz
Secretary/Treasurer of the Foundation & COO of Hokold
Compensation: $437,115 (40 hours/week)
Ms. Schulz manages the financial and operational aspects of the foundation.

The foundation operates with a lean administrative structure, with these two key personnel managing the foundation's substantial assets and grantmaking portfolio.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation's official policy states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

However, the foundation also notes that "presently, there is no formal application document in place" and that "requests may be made directly to the foundation." This suggests a somewhat flexible approach where organizations may contact the foundation directly, though there is no guarantee of consideration.

If you wish to contact the foundation:

  • Direct requests may be made by phone: (253) 240-4771
  • Mail: 2514 92nd St S, Lakewood, WA 98499
  • No formal application materials are required

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) organization
  • Must serve charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes
  • Must operate in alignment with the foundation's mission "for the betterment of all mankind"

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline is published. Given the preselected nature of grantmaking and the absence of formal deadlines, decisions are likely made on a rolling basis throughout the year as trustees identify and approve suitable organizations.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given that the foundation only awards 31-37 grants annually from a preselected pool, the opportunity for new organizations to receive funding is limited.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified. Organizations that have previously received funding appear to receive continued support, suggesting the foundation values ongoing relationships with proven grantees.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's preselected and invitation-only approach, traditional application success factors are less relevant. However, organizations that receive funding share these characteristics:

  • Geographic proximity: Nearly all funded organizations serve Pierce County or the greater Tacoma/Lakewood area
  • Established track record: Recipients appear to be well-established organizations with proven impact in their communities
  • Focus on vulnerable populations: Many funded organizations serve children, families in crisis, or individuals experiencing poverty
  • General operating support needs: The foundation appears to prefer providing flexible, unrestricted funding
  • Connection to the foundation's values: Organizations aligned with health, human services, and community betterment

Recent grant recipients that exemplify the foundation's priorities include:

  • Mary Bridge Children's Foundation (pediatric health)
  • The Coffee Oasis (youth homelessness prevention)
  • Emergency Food Network (food security)
  • Boys and Girls Clubs (youth development)
  • Tacoma Community House (immigrant and refugee services)
  • Rescue Mission (homeless services)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder: Do not expect to submit a formal grant application. The foundation identifies and selects organizations proactively.
  • Focus on relationship building: Given the preselected model, getting on the foundation's radar through board connections, community visibility, and reputation is essential.
  • Geographic specificity matters: If your organization doesn't serve Pierce County or surrounding areas in Washington State, this foundation is not a match.
  • Demonstrate operational excellence: With a median grant of $50,000 and support for general operations, the foundation appears to invest in organizations with strong infrastructure.
  • Patience is required: With only 31-37 grants made annually from a $169 million endowment, the foundation is highly selective.
  • Lean toward established organizations: Recent recipients are well-known community institutions, not emerging nonprofits.
  • Consider making a direct inquiry: While the foundation states it doesn't accept unsolicited requests, they also note requests can be made directly—a careful, professional inquiry may be worthwhile for organizations strongly aligned with their mission.

References

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