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Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation

Annual Giving
$47.9M
Grant Range
$0K - $22.5M
Decision Time
3mo

Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $47,892,018 (2023)
  • Foundation Assets: $1,052,645,253
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 90 days
  • Grant Range: $150 - $22,500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Vancouver/Victoria, British Columbia (areas where Washington Companies operate)
  • Total Giving Since 1988: $523+ million

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 16630, Missoula, MT 59808

Website: https://www.dpwfoundation.org

Application Portal: Available through website (online applications only)

Overview

The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation was established in 1988 by Dennis and Phyllis Washington as the primary philanthropic arm of The Washington Companies and the Washington family. With foundation assets exceeding $1 billion and over $523 million distributed since inception, the foundation represents one of the most significant private philanthropic entities in the Northwest. The foundation's mission—"Investing in People to Improve the Quality of Their Lives"—reflects Dennis Washington's belief that "every person will get a break at some time in their life, but not everyone will recognize it or have the ability to use it." Funded annually by contributions from the Washington family and The Washington Companies (10 business entities across rail, marine, mining, aviation, and environmental sectors), the foundation has touched over 250,000 lives through direct service programs supporting economically and socially disadvantaged individuals, at-risk youth, and individuals with special needs. The foundation prioritizes education, having awarded 245+ scholarships annually and established multiple endowed scholarship programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses on four primary areas:

Education: Higher education scholarships (900+ Montana undergraduates annually through Horatio Alger partnership; 100+ graduate scholarships since 2008 through Dennis R. Washington Leadership Graduate Scholarship); technical training programs; educational infrastructure. Grant range: $150 - $22,500,000

Health and Human Services: Healthcare access for vulnerable populations; basic needs support; special needs services. Recent example: $372,000 distributed to 98 basic needs organizations across Montana

Arts and Culture: Creative programs that bring communities together; cultural preservation and access

Community Service: Local improvement initiatives; youth development programs; direct service organizations

Application Method: Rolling basis via online portal only; eligibility review required before full application

Priority Areas

The foundation explicitly prioritizes:

  • Direct service programs serving economically and socially disadvantaged individuals and families
  • At-risk youth programs providing educational and life skills development
  • Individuals with special needs and their families
  • Low-income, rural, and underserved communities in Washington Companies operating areas
  • Programs that build recipient life skills and fulfill community needs
  • Organizations with demonstrated community support and partnerships
  • Projects that leverage additional private or public funding sources

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Most capital campaigns and equipment purchases
  • Event sponsorships (auctions, fundraising dinners, galas)
  • Organizations with discriminatory policies
  • Religious organizations serving primarily their own members
  • Loans, debt paydown, or operational deficits
  • Individual applicants (except approved scholarship programs)
  • Research projects or curriculum development
  • Political advocacy groups
  • Sports teams, games, or senior class events
  • Film/media production and marketing

Governance and Leadership

Chairperson: Phyllis Washington (Co-founder; also serves as Kennedy Center Trustee)

Executive Director: Jon Bennion (appointed by Foundation Board; succeeded Mike Halligan who retired in 2024 after 22 years of service)

Founder: Dennis R. Washington (Horatio Alger Association member)

Dennis Washington stated: "We started our Foundation to give back to the people and the communities that have been important to our success. Our goal was to create opportunities and open doors for youth and individuals that simply need a hand up." He emphasizes that "we primarily invest in education to give people the tools they need to achieve success" and believes "by reaching out to young people in their formative years, and by presenting opportunity to the disadvantaged, our society will see great benefit."

The foundation operates with Western values emphasizing community involvement and individual initiative.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Review Grant Guidelines — Thoroughly examine the four focus areas (Education, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, Community Service) and review ineligible categories. Any program falling within ineligible categories cannot be considered.

Step 2: Complete Eligibility Review — Submit a brief online eligibility assessment through the foundation's website. This preliminary review helps evaluate organizational fit. Only organizations passing this stage advance to the full application.

Step 3: Submit Full Application — Complete the formal application through the online system. Critical requirement: "The Foundation will only consider applications that are submitted through the online application process." Do not submit additional materials such as photographs, letters of support, or other printed materials.

Canadian Organizations: Must first submit a letter of inquiry (LOI) in the grants management system to be invited to apply. Canadian giving is currently limited to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia areas.

Decision Timeline

Review Period: Applicants are notified within 90 days of their application status.

Grant Reporting: When funds are expended or within one year of receipt, grantees must file a Grant Report through their online account.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose success rates, number of applications received, or percentage of awards made.

Reapplication Policy

One Application Per Year Rule: The foundation only accepts one application per nonprofit organization per year, unless prior authorization has been received from the Executive Director. Multiple grant requests from a single organization with overlapping grant periods, including fiscally sponsored projects, are rarely funded.

Note: The foundation describes itself as "not a long-term funder," indicating grants are designed for specific projects rather than ongoing operational support.

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the foundation directly for clarification.

Application Success Factors

The foundation evaluates applications based on these specific criteria:

Financial Health: Organizations must demonstrate:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with current IRS documentation
  • "Low administrative costs" with majority of funds supporting direct services
  • "Substantial financial support from the community, constituency groups, or other funding sources"
  • Financial stability and responsible fiscal management
  • Capability to sustain programs long-term

Organizational Capacity:

  • Adequate staffing levels
  • Appropriate facility infrastructure
  • Relevant partnerships and collaborations
  • Prevention of service duplication

Program Impact:

  • Demonstrable, measurable impact on served populations
  • Alignment with foundation mission: "Investing in People to Improve the Quality of Their Lives"
  • Focus on providing "tools" that enhance quality of life
  • Direct service delivery to target populations

Geographic Alignment: Organizations must serve individuals in Washington Companies operating areas: Montana, Idaho (Boise, Pocatello, Jerome), Washington (Kent, Spokane, Rochester), Oregon (Eugene, Portland), and British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria).

Community Support: Strong local fundraising efforts, co-funding from other sources, and documented community buy-in significantly strengthen applications.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Missoula Family YMCA: $2 million for new Childcare Center serving 2,700+ children annually
  • Montana Tech Foundation: $1.1 million for institutional support
  • 98 Montana basic needs organizations: $372,000 distributed
  • Montana Highlands College: Scholarship program for welding/automotive technology students

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic eligibility is critical: Verify your service area overlaps with Washington Companies operating regions before applying—this is a non-negotiable requirement
  • Emphasize direct service delivery: The foundation explicitly favors "direct service" programs over administrative, research, or capacity-building initiatives; demonstrate that funding directly reaches vulnerable populations
  • Document community support: Show substantial local fundraising, partnerships, and co-funding from other sources—the foundation values organizations with proven community buy-in
  • Prepare financial transparency: Have recent IRS Form 990s and determination letters ready; expect scrutiny of administrative cost ratios
  • One shot per year: You only get one application annually unless the Executive Director grants exception—make it count and ensure it's fully developed before submission
  • Focus on sustainability: Address long-term program viability since the foundation describes itself as "not a long-term funder"—show how the program will continue beyond their grant
  • No extras allowed: Applications submitted outside the online system or supplemented with unsolicited materials will not be considered—follow the process exactly as prescribed

References

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