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Waters Meet Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.8M

Waters Meet Foundation (formerly Empire Health Foundation)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.8 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Geographic Focus: Inland Northwest (7 counties in northeastern Washington and 3 Sovereign Tribal Nations)

Contact Details

Website: https://watersmeet.foundation Phone: (509) 315-1323 Email: communications@watersmeetc3.wpengine.com (media inquiries) Address: 1020 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

Overview

Waters Meet Foundation, originally established as Empire Health Foundation in 2008 from the sale of Deaconess and Valley Medical Centers, represents a transformative force in health equity work throughout the Inland Northwest. With total assets of approximately $88 million and annual giving of $8.8 million in 2023, the foundation underwent a significant strategic shift in 2020-2022, culminating in its rebrand to Waters Meet Foundation in 2025. The foundation has evolved from traditional prescriptive grantmaking to a community-centered approach that prioritizes historically marginalized communities. Their new 10-Year Strategic Direction (2025-2034) commits to "walking alongside" communities most impacted by systemic inequities, recognizing that these communities hold the solutions and expertise needed for transformational change.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Waters Meet operates several funding streams:

  • Operating Grants: Support for ongoing organizational operations
  • Capital Leverage Fund: $2.5M Waters Meet funding that leveraged $28M in third-party funding (supported 9 partners in 2023)
  • Special Initiatives: Including $2 million spending initiative over 3 years for capital projects in underserved communities
  • State-Administered Funds: Managed $7M in state funding for housing initiatives since 2022

Priority Areas

  • Community power building and grassroots advocacy
  • Health equity and racial justice
  • Housing stability and homelessness prevention
  • Perinatal and maternal health support
  • Youth resiliency and engagement
  • Indigenous health and sovereignty
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ community support
  • Rural community development

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus on equity-centered work suggests limited support for organizations that don't center marginalized communities or address systemic inequities.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership includes:

  • Thomas E Smith: President
  • Leroy Eadie: Vice President
  • Laura Martin: Vice President

The foundation operates with five key roles in the community: Grantmaker and Investor, Community Convener, Cross-Sector Convener, Bridge-Builder, and Amplifier.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Based on available information, Waters Meet Foundation appears to work through invitation-only grants, relationship-based funding, and strategic partnerships. They focus on identifying and supporting organizations already embedded in the communities they serve, particularly those led by and serving BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, low-income, and rural communities.

Getting on Their Radar

Waters Meet's "Building Connections Initiative" suggests they actively identify and cultivate relationships with community organizations. Organizations working in their priority areas should consider:

  • Participating in community convenings they host
  • Building relationships with current grantees who may make introductions
  • Demonstrating deep community roots and leadership from impacted communities
  • Showing alignment with their Equity Healing Framework and guiding principles

The foundation emphasizes "Listening Deeply" and "Building Connections" as core principles, suggesting they value sustained relationship-building over transactional grant applications.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified

Success Rates

In 2023, they supported 74 grantees with $8.8 million in total grants

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

Based on Waters Meet's stated values and funding patterns:

  • Community Leadership: 83% of 2023 grants went to BIPOC organizations and communities, with 37% to American Indian & Alaska Native communities
  • Demonstrated Impact: Focus on organizations already embedded in and trusted by their communities
  • Systemic Change Orientation: Priority for efforts addressing root causes of health inequities rather than symptoms
  • Collaborative Approach: Value placed on organizations that work in partnership and build community power
  • Cultural Relevance: Strong emphasis on culturally-specific approaches and Indigenous sovereignty

Waters Meet explicitly centers "communities most impacted by inequities" and believes these communities "have the solutions and expertise" - organizations should demonstrate authentic community leadership and grassroots connections.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Waters Meet Foundation operates through relationship-based, invitation-only funding rather than open applications
  • Strong preference for BIPOC-led organizations (83% of 2023 funding)
  • Focus on transformational systemic change rather than programmatic band-aids
  • Emphasis on community power-building and addressing historical injustices
  • Geographic focus limited to Inland Northwest region (northeastern Washington and Tribal Nations)
  • Capital projects can leverage significant matching funds through their Capital Leverage Fund
  • Organizations should focus on building relationships and demonstrating deep community roots rather than seeking direct applications

References

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