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Stolte Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$9.2M

Stolte Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9.19 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $65.6 million
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Washington State (primarily King, Pierce, Snohomish counties) and Michigan

Contact Details

Overview

The Stolte Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2015 and based in Seattle, Washington. With total assets of $65.6 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $9.19 million (2024), the foundation champions an equitable and thriving future by partnering with organizations advancing solutions in education, climate, and civic engagement. The foundation operates with a strategic, invitation-only approach to grantmaking, working closely with community partners and advisors to identify and support high-impact organizations in their focus areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation organizes its grantmaking around three core pillars:

Education Program

  • Focus on closing opportunity gaps
  • Support for home-visiting programs
  • Parent leadership initiatives
  • Family engagement in education policy
  • Geographic focus: King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington

Climate Program

  • Accelerating clean energy transition
  • Technology innovation in clean energy
  • Implementation of clean energy solutions
  • Geographic focus: Washington and Michigan

Civic Engagement Program

  • Building democratic participation
  • Cultivating strong candidates
  • Strengthening voter communications
  • Supporting multicultural rural communities

Priority Areas

  • Early childhood education and family support
  • Clean energy innovation and implementation
  • Democratic participation and civic leadership
  • Equity-focused initiatives across all program areas

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited grant proposals
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
  • Projects outside their three core program areas

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors and Key Staff:

  • Heidi Stolte - Director, President
  • Christopher Stolte - Director, Secretary, Treasurer
  • Kim Wright - Director
  • Brianna Jackson - Education Program Officer
  • Karen Laughlin - Climate Program Director

The foundation appears to be family-led with professional program staff managing specific focus areas.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states they are not accepting Letters of Inquiry and work on an invitation-only basis. Grants are awarded through:

  • Pre-identification of organizations by foundation staff
  • Recommendations from community partners and advisors
  • Strategic outreach by the foundation's program officers

Getting on Their Radar

Given the invitation-only nature of their grantmaking, organizations seeking support should:

  • Contact the foundation through info@stoltefamilyfoundation.org for general inquiries
  • Build relationships with organizations already in their network
  • Engage with the foundation's program officers at relevant sector events
  • Demonstrate excellence and impact in education, climate, or civic engagement work in Washington or Michigan

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only process

Application Success Factors

Since the Stolte Family Foundation operates by invitation only, organizations cannot directly apply. However, to increase visibility and potential for invitation:

  • Demonstrate clear alignment with one of their three pillars: education (particularly early childhood and family engagement), climate (clean energy innovation), or civic engagement (democratic participation)
  • Have a strong presence in their geographic focus areas: Washington State (especially King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties) or Michigan for climate work
  • Show measurable impact in closing opportunity gaps or advancing equity
  • Build relationships with current grantees and community partners in their network
  • Maintain excellence in your field to attract attention from their program officers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Stolte Family Foundation is a significant funder ($9.19M annually) but operates exclusively by invitation - no unsolicited proposals accepted • Focus areas are highly specific: education (family engagement), climate (clean energy), and civic engagement (democratic participation) • Geographic restrictions are strict - primarily Washington State with some Michigan climate work • With professional program officers for each area, the foundation takes a strategic, proactive approach to identifying grantees • Organizations should focus on excellence in their work and sector visibility rather than direct application strategies • General inquiries can be sent to info@stoltefamilyfoundation.org to establish initial contact • Building relationships with current grantees and advisors in their network may increase visibility

References

  • ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Stolte Family Foundation Profile (accessed December 31, 2025)
  • Stolte Family Foundation Official Website - www.stoltefamilyfoundation.org (accessed December 31, 2025)
  • GuideStar Profile - EIN 47-1545801 (accessed December 31, 2025)
  • IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Database - Foundation established 2015
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