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Waters Meet Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.5M

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Waters Meet Foundation (formerly Empire Health Foundation)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.5 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: Varies by programme
  • 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@watersmeet.foundation 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 Centres, represents a transformative force in health equity work throughout the Inland Northwest. With total assets of approximately $84.3 million and annual giving of $3.5 million in 2023 (per 990-PF filing), 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-centred approach that prioritises historically marginalised communities. Their new 10-Year Strategic Direction (2025-2034), adopted by the board in May 2024, commits to "walking alongside" communities most impacted by systemic inequities, recognising that these communities hold the solutions and expertise needed for transformational change.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Waters Meet operates several funding streams:

  • Operating Grants: Support for ongoing organisational operations
  • Building Connections Initiative: Five-year cohort of 20 organisations receiving $50,000 annually, with opportunities for additional technical assistance and capacity building support
  • Special Initiatives: Capital projects and community-led initiatives

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

Whilst not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus on equity-centred work suggests limited support for organisations that don't centre marginalised 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 organisations 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 organisations. Organisations 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 emphasises "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

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 organisations and communities, with 37% to American Indian & Alaska Native communities
  • Demonstrated Impact: Focus on organisations 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 organisations that work in partnership and build community power
  • Cultural Relevance: Strong emphasis on culturally-specific approaches and Indigenous sovereignty

Waters Meet explicitly centres "communities most impacted by inequities" and believes these communities "have the solutions and expertise" - organisations 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 organisations (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)
  • Organisations should focus on building relationships and demonstrating deep community roots rather than seeking direct applications
  • The Building Connections Initiative represents their core grantmaking strategy, providing multi-year general operating support to grassroots, by-and-for organisations

References

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