Firstenburg Foundation
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $1,739,692 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: $50,000 - $65,000 (based on available data)
- Geographic Focus: Vancouver, WA and surrounding Southwest Washington region
Contact Details
- Address: 1220 Main Street, Suite 203, Vancouver, WA 98660-2960
- Website: No public website available
- Phone: Not publicly available
- Email: Not publicly available
Overview
The Firstenburg Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2004 in Vancouver, Washington. With total assets of approximately $42.8 million (2024), the foundation distributes approximately $1.7 million annually in charitable grants. The foundation is operated by the Firstenburg family and maintains a low public profile with no public website or published grant guidelines. As a private grantmaking foundation, they focus on supporting educational and community organizations in the Southwest Washington region, particularly in Vancouver and Clark County.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Based on available grant data, the foundation supports:
- Capacity Building Grants: $50,000 - $65,000 (strengthening organizational infrastructure)
- Program Support: $50,000+ (direct program funding)
- Educational Support: Various amounts for schools and educational programs
Priority Areas
- Education and schools (particularly Vancouver-area schools)
- Social services and community support organizations
- Capacity building for local nonprofits
- Youth and family programs
- Homeless services and housing support
What They Don't Fund
No explicit exclusions are publicly documented
Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by members of the Firstenburg family:
- Executive Director: Jennifer Rhoads
- Board Members: Jeffrey Wayne Firstenburg, William Firstenburg, Bruce Firstenburg, and other Firstenburg family members
The foundation operates with minimal staff (1 employee reported) and appears to be managed primarily by family trustees.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and existing relationships with organizations in the Vancouver, WA area. Organizations receiving funding typically have established connections with the foundation or have been identified by trustees as meeting the foundation's charitable objectives.
Decision Timeline
Not publicly available - decisions appear to be made at the discretion of the board
Success Rates
No public data available on application numbers or success rates
Reapplication Policy
No public information available
Application Success Factors
Based on the pattern of grants awarded:
- Strong local presence in Vancouver, WA or Clark County
- Focus on capacity building and organizational strengthening
- Demonstrated community impact in education or social services
- Established track record of effective program delivery
- Alignment with foundation's focus on education and community support
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The Firstenburg Foundation is a private family foundation without a public application process
- Grants are made at trustee discretion to organizations in the Vancouver, WA area
- Focus is primarily on education, social services, and capacity building
- Building relationships with foundation trustees or staff may be necessary for consideration
- Organizations currently funded include established local nonprofits with strong community presence
- Grant amounts typically range from $50,000 to $65,000 based on available data
- The foundation maintains a low public profile with minimal public information available
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Firstenburg Foundation Profile (accessed December 2024)
- GuideStar Profile for EIN 68-0525464 (accessed December 2024)
- Charity Navigator Organization Profile (accessed December 2024)
- CauseIQ Foundation Profile and Grant Recipients (accessed December 2024)
- IRS Form 990-PF filing data (2024)