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Aldarra Foundation

Annual Giving
$80.2M
Grant Range
$69K - $26.0M
00

Aldarra Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $80,225,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (preselected grantees)
  • Grant Range: $69,000 - $26,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Puget Sound region, Washington State
  • Foundation Type: Limited Life Foundation (closing 2025)

Contact Details

Address: 4020 E. Madison St., Suite 322, Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 455-1458
Email: tammy@aldarrafoundation.org
Website: https://www.aldarrafoundation.org/

Overview

The Aldarra Foundation was established in 2002 by William E. Boeing Jr. (son of aviation pioneer William E. Boeing) and his wife June A. Boeing, and began operations in 2003. Operating as a limited life foundation, the Aldarra Foundation is committed to fully spending its assets within 10 years of the founders' deaths, with final grants scheduled for 2025. The foundation contributed $80,225,000 in grants during 2023, supporting 14 carefully selected organizations. The foundation's mission is to support organizations that strengthen the enduring fabric of the Puget Sound region, with a focus on science education, advancements in healthcare, preservation of natural beauty, and compassion for animals. The "Aldarra" name holds deep significance in the Boeing family, referencing the 650-acre farm east of Seattle that William E. Boeing Sr. purchased during World War II.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Aldarra Foundation operates as a limited life foundation with preselected grantees. Grants made in 2023 totaled $80,225,000 across 21 awards. Individual grant amounts range from approximately $69,000 to $26,000,000, with notably large commitments including:

  • Museum of Flight Foundation: $40,800,000
  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: $2,000,000 for FLASH radiation research program (one of multiple grants)
  • Arboretum Foundation: Multi-project grant totaling over $500,000 for various initiatives

Application Method: Invitation only / No public application process

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four core areas within the Puget Sound region:

Science Education

  • STEM education programs
  • Educational access for underserved populations
  • Science literacy and engagement

Healthcare Advancements

  • Medical research and innovation
  • Patient care improvement
  • Healthcare access and equity

Preservation of Natural Beauty

  • Environmental conservation
  • Botanical and ecological preservation
  • Public spaces and natural habitats

Compassion for Animals

  • Animal welfare and rescue
  • Service animal programs
  • Humane treatment initiatives

Current Partner Organizations (14 Preselected Grantees)

  1. Arboretum Foundation
  2. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
  3. Medic One Foundation
  4. Pasado's Safe Haven
  5. University of Washington School of Medicine
  6. Canine Companions for Independence
  7. Hopelink
  8. Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
  9. Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation
  10. Union Gospel Mission
  11. Cascade Public Media (KCTS 9)
  12. Mary's Place
  13. The Museum of Flight Foundation
  14. Treehouse

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Tammy Miller

Tammy Miller has been helping families and foundations achieve their goals for more than 30 years. She retired as a Wealth Advisor from Wells Fargo Private Bank before becoming Executive Director of the Aldarra Foundation. She brings experience from previous roles at Wells Fargo Private Bank, Bank of America Private Bank, and AST Trust Company (Wilmington Trust).

President and Director: June A. Boeing (founder)

Key Leadership Quotes:

"An emphasis on perpetual giving can get in the way of people realizing their full philanthropic potential." — Tammy Miller

"There is magic in flipping the script. Instead of organizations asking us what we wanted to fund, we've been asking organizations, 'What do you need to do your best work? What will take your work to the next level? What barriers are preventing progress?'" — Tammy Miller

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Aldarra Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

All 14 partner organizations have been selected, and the foundation is in the process of winding down operations with final grants scheduled for 2025. The foundation's grantees were chosen by the founders, William E. Boeing Jr. and June A. Boeing, to reflect their long-standing commitment to the Puget Sound community.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. The foundation works directly with its 14 preselected partner organizations on a relationship basis rather than through competitive application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable for external applicants, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The foundation is closing in 2025 and has already selected its final cohort of grantees.

Application Success Factors

While the Aldarra Foundation does not accept new applications, its innovative approach to grantmaking offers valuable insights into transformative philanthropy:

Recipient-Centered Approach: The foundation inverts the traditional donor-grantee dynamic by proactively asking organizations what they need rather than dictating funding priorities. Miller's philosophy of asking "What do you need to do your best work? What will take your work to the next level? What barriers are preventing progress?" represents a partnership model.

Strategic vs. Urgent Funding: The foundation prioritizes funding that provides "a level of support to achieve strategic and sustained momentum toward an organization's vision" rather than responding to immediate crises. As Miller explains, "it wasn't so much about funding for the urgency of the moment because every moment is urgent."

Transformative Scale: Grant amounts are designed to be transformative rather than incremental. Examples include the $40.8 million grant to the Museum of Flight and the $2 million FLASH radiation research grant to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Long-Term Partnership: The foundation funds multiple projects over time with the same organizations, building on previous successes. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, for example, has received funding for more than 10 projects since 2021.

Bold Impact Through Limited Life: The spend-down model allows the foundation to make larger, more impactful grants now rather than preserving assets for perpetuity. Miller advocates that donors should "give more today" to achieve transformative impact and maintain research momentum.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not Accepting Applications: The Aldarra Foundation has selected its final cohort of 14 grantees and does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation is scheduled to close in 2025.

  • Limited Life Foundation Model: This foundation exemplifies the spend-down approach, distributing all assets within 10 years of the founders' deaths to maximize current impact rather than perpetual giving.

  • Transformative Funding Philosophy: When the foundation was actively selecting partners, it prioritized organizations where significant funding could create lasting momentum and transformation, not just address immediate needs.

  • Recipient-Led Grantmaking: The foundation's approach of asking organizations what they need to excel, rather than imposing funder-defined priorities, represents a partnership model that centers grantee expertise.

  • Puget Sound Legacy: The foundation reflects the Boeing family's deep, multi-generational commitment to strengthening the Puget Sound region across diverse sectors from healthcare to education to environment.

  • Multi-Year, Multi-Project Support: Partner organizations receive sustained support across multiple initiatives over time, enabling deeper impact than one-off grants.

  • Strategic Rather Than Reactive: The foundation values funding that builds strategic capacity and sustained momentum over emergency or short-term gap funding.

References

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