Marks Family Foundation (Bainbridge Island, WA)

Quick Stats

• EIN: 46-1352263
• Annual Awards: 8-15 grants per year
• Founded: 2013 (IRS Ruling Year)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Geographic Focus: Pacific Northwest/Washington State
• Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: 11000 NE Country Club Rd, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Note: This is a private foundation that operates on an invitation-only basis.

Overview

The Marks Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2013 and based in Bainbridge Island, Washington (also referenced as Seattle, WA in some records). This foundation operates as a family philanthropic vehicle that makes grants exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. Unlike many private foundations, the Marks Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and operates through trustee discretion in identifying and selecting grantees.

The foundation has demonstrated a consistent pattern of grantmaking, awarding between 8-15 grants annually in recent years (8 awards in 2023, 15 awards in 2022, and 14 awards in 2021). Known grantees include prominent Pacific Northwest cultural institutions such as Seattle Opera, indicating a focus on supporting established organizations in the arts, education, and health sectors serving underrepresented populations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines or application cycles. All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees to organizations they have preselected.

Priority Areas

Based on available information, the foundation appears to support:

• Arts and Culture: Known support for organizations like Seattle Opera
• Education: Programs focused on youth and underrepresented populations
• Health: Services for underrepresented communities
• Youth Development: Organizations providing access and opportunity for young people

Geographic Focus

• Primary focus on Pacific Northwest region, particularly Washington State
• Concentration on greater Seattle/Puget Sound area organizations

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, they effectively do not fund organizations that:

• Are not already known to the trustees
• Have not been preselected through the foundation's internal processes
• Submit unsolicited proposals or applications

Governance and Leadership

The Marks Family Foundation operates as a private independent foundation (NTEE code T22) and is required to file IRS Form 990-PF annually.

Leadership details are maintained privately, consistent with the foundation's selective grantmaking approach. The foundation represents a family's philanthropic interests and operates through trustee discretion.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Marks Family Foundation explicitly states that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organizations cannot apply for grants through any formal application process, portal, or submission system.

All grantmaking decisions are made internally by the foundation's trustees, who identify and select recipient organizations based on their own research, networks, and philanthropic priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on its own internal timeline for identifying and funding organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable for external applicants. The foundation awards 8-15 grants annually to organizations selected by trustees.

Reapplication Policy

As there is no application process, there is no reapplication policy. Organizations previously funded may receive ongoing support at the trustees' discretion.

Application Success Factors

For organizations seeking to be noticed by this foundation:

Since the Marks Family Foundation does not accept applications, the traditional concept of "application success factors" does not apply. However, understanding their giving patterns can help organizations determine if they might align with the foundation's interests:

1. Established Organizations: The foundation appears to support well-established institutions like Seattle Opera, suggesting they favor organizations with proven track records
2. Pacific Northwest Focus: Geographic proximity to the foundation's Bainbridge Island location appears to be a factor
3. Arts, Education, and Health: Their known grantees and stated interests align with these sectors
4. Service to Underrepresented Populations: Organizations focusing on youth and underrepresented communities align with their mission
5. Trustee Connections: As with most private foundations operating without public applications, personal knowledge and trustee connections appear to be the primary pathway to funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Application Process: Do not attempt to submit grant proposals to this foundation - they will not be considered
• Preselected Recipients Only: The foundation funds only organizations they have identified through their own processes
• Small Grant Portfolio: With 8-15 grants per year, this is a highly selective funder
• Pacific Northwest Geographic Focus: Known grantees are in the Washington State region
• Arts and Culture Interest: Support for Seattle Opera indicates appreciation for established cultural institutions
• Private Family Foundation: This is a personal philanthropic vehicle operating at the trustees' discretion
• Alternative Funding Sources: Organizations seeking grants should focus efforts on foundations with public application processes rather than investing time trying to reach this foundation

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Marks Family Foundation (EIN 46-1352263): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/461352263 (Accessed February 2026)
2. GuideStar Profile - Marks Family Foundation (EIN 46-1352263): https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-1352263 (Accessed February 2026)
3. Grantmakers.io Profile - Marks Family Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/461352263-marks-family-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)
4. Cause IQ - Marks Family Foundation, Seattle, WA: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/marks-family-foundation,461352263/ (Accessed February 2026)
5. IRS Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2021-2023 (available through ProPublica and GuideStar)

Note: This foundation should not be confused with the Marks Family Foundation in Buffalo, NY (EIN 77-0500312), which has a different mission and does accept public grant applications through their website at marksfamilyfoundation.org.