Tom And Meg Names Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,806,071 (2023)
• Total Assets: $28.6 million (2024)
• Decision Time: Board reviews in April, June, and September
• Grant Range: Varies widely (from smaller grants to multi-million dollar commitments)
• Geographic Focus: Puget Sound region, Washington State
• Number of Awards: 21 grants (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 1019 Regents BLVD Suite 201, Fircrest, WA 98466

Phone: 253-566-7000 ext. 15

Email: tommegnamesfoundation@gmail.com

Website: https://www.tomandmegnamesfoundation.org/

Grants & Program Manager: Contact at lsauer@namesfoundation.org or 253-566-7000, Ext 11

Overview

The Tom and Meg Names Family Foundation was established in 2015 in honor of Tom '59 and Anna "Meg" '56 Names, both University of Puget Sound alumni who passed away in 2016. Led by their daughters, Erin Shagren (President) and Monica Names King (Secretary/Treasurer), the foundation maintains assets of $28.6 million and distributed $4.8 million in grants across 21 awards in 2023. The foundation is dedicated to working in collaboration with health, wellness, and athletic nonprofits to create a brighter future for the youth of the Puget Sound region. Their grantmaking focuses on sports programs that foster physical development and character, initiatives providing access to nutrition, fitness, and affordable healthcare, and support for hospitals, cancer research, child development, and youth sports organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation supports various nonprofit organizations throughout the Puget Sound region with grants ranging from smaller awards to multi-million dollar commitments. Notable recent grants include:

• Major Institutional Support: $10 million commitment to University of Puget Sound Athletics (largest single gift in the university's 134-year history)
• Community Infrastructure: $725,000 to Lake Chelan Community Center
• Healthcare: First supporter of the New Mary Bridge Children's Hospital

Application process uses a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) system with board reviews occurring three times annually (April, June, and September).

Priority Areas

• Youth Athletics: Sports programs that foster physical development, build character, and nurture fair play
• Health & Wellness: Access to good nutrition, physical fitness opportunities, and affordable healthcare
• Healthcare Institutions: Hospital programs, particularly children's healthcare
• Cancer Research: Cancer-related research and support programs
• Child Development: Programs supporting youth development and well-being
• Community Facilities: Athletic and recreational facilities serving youth

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's focus is clearly on youth-serving health, wellness, and athletic programs in the Puget Sound region.

Governance and Leadership

President: Erin Shagren '88, P'17

• Also serves as director and treasurer of the Names Family Foundation
• University of Puget Sound alumna with Elementary Education teaching certificate
• Former trustee (2014-23), held positions including chair of the Committee on Trusteeship and co-chair of the Campaign Steering Committee
• Mother of a Puget Sound alumnus ('17)

Secretary/Treasurer: Monica Names King

• Co-founder of the foundation with her sister Erin following their parents' deaths in 2016

Leadership Perspective

Erin Shagren emphasizes the importance of athletics in youth development: "Student-athletes gain experience in collaboration, leadership, creative problem-solving, and the pursuit of excellence through hard work and dedication."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a two-stage Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process:

1. Submit Letter of Inquiry: Applications are submitted through an online grant interface

   • First-time applicants must establish an organizational account
   • LOI can be saved and completed over multiple sessions
   • LOI submission deadline: August 31st annually
   • Confirmation email sent upon submission

2. Full Proposal Invitation: If your LOI is accepted, you will be invited to submit a full proposal

3. Board Review: Board reviews proposals three times per year in April, June, and September

Decision Timeline

• LOI deadline: August 31st
• Board meetings: April, June, and September
• Applicants should expect decisions following board review cycles

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made 21 grants totaling $4,806,071. The foundation has been relatively consistent in grant numbers: 24 awards (2019), 19 awards (2020), 19 awards (2021), and 20 awards (2022).

Post-Award Requirements

• Grant recipients must complete and sign an agreement
• Submit a report to the Foundation at project completion
• Some recipients may have additional reporting requirements

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Contact the Grants & Program Manager for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment: The foundation specifically focuses on "the youth of the Puget Sound" region. Organizations outside this area are unlikely to receive funding.

Mission Fit with Founders' Legacy: Tom and Meg Names were deeply involved in athletics and community service in the Tacoma/Fircrest area. Tom served on the local Rotary Club and as president of Fircrest Golf Club. Meg was involved in the Mary Bridge Brigade. Projects that align with these interests—youth athletics, community facilities, children's healthcare—are most likely to resonate.

Youth Impact Focus: All funded programs should clearly demonstrate impact on young people. As Erin Shagren notes, the foundation values programs where "student-athletes gain experience in collaboration, leadership, creative problem-solving, and the pursuit of excellence through hard work and dedication."

Long-term Relationship Building: The foundation has made multiple grants to organizations like University of Puget Sound (endowed funds established in 2009, enhanced in 2022, $10 million commitment in 2022) and Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, suggesting they value sustained partnerships over one-time grants.

Institutional Capacity: While the foundation makes grants of varying sizes, their major commitments (e.g., $10 million to Puget Sound, $725,000 to Lake Chelan Community Center) go to established institutions with strong community ties and proven track records.

Specific Program Elements: Successful grants have supported athletic facilities (Logger Club, Athletics and Aquatics Center, Lower Baker Field renovations), endowments for ongoing program support, student athlete wellness programs (PS2 Program), and community infrastructure combining athletics and wellness.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geography is crucial: Focus exclusively on the Puget Sound region; this is a local family foundation honoring local residents who dedicated their lives to the Tacoma/Fircrest community
• Youth must be central: Every proposal should clearly articulate impact on young people's physical, emotional, or health development
• Athletics as character-building: The foundation views sports as a vehicle for developing collaboration, leadership, problem-solving, and excellence—frame athletic programs accordingly
• Think long-term: The foundation values endowments and sustainable programs over one-time projects; demonstrate how funding will create lasting impact
• Community facilities favored: Projects creating physical spaces where youth gather for athletics, wellness, and community engagement align with their support of Puget Sound facilities and Lake Chelan Community Center
• Healthcare for children: Strong interest in children's healthcare, particularly Mary Bridge Children's Hospital; pediatric health programs are a priority
• Relationship-driven: While they accept public applications, the foundation has deep ties to specific institutions; building authentic connections with the board members' networks (University of Puget Sound, Tacoma/Fircrest community organizations) may strengthen proposals

References

• Tom and Meg Names Family Foundation official website: https://www.tomandmegnamesfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Tom And Meg Names Family Foundation (EIN 47-4742634): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/474742634 (Accessed January 2026)
• University of Puget Sound, "Tom and Meg Names Family Foundation Commits $10 Million to Puget Sound Athletics": https://loggerathletics.com/news/2022/10/18/baseball-tom-and-meg-names-family-foundation-commits-10-million-to-puget-sound-athletics.aspx (Accessed January 2026)
• University of Puget Sound, "A 'Transformational' Gift for Puget Sound Athletic Programs": https://www.pugetsound.edu/stories/transformational-gift-puget-sound-athletic-programs (Accessed January 2026)
• University of Puget Sound, "Names Family Foundation Makes $250,000 Gift to Puget Sound Athletics": https://www.pugetsound.edu/news/names-family-foundation-makes-250000-gift-puget-sound-athletics (Accessed January 2026)
• Philanthropy News Digest, "Lake Chelan Community Center achieves $2 million match challenge": https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/lake-chelan-community-center-achieves-2-million-match-challenge (Accessed January 2026)
• Tom and Meg Names Family Foundation Form 990 filings (2020-2024) via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (Accessed January 2026)