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Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-Cari (Whisper Foundation)

Annual Giving
$5.3M
Grant Range
$6K - $0.2M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5.29M (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 12-16 weeks for Letter of Inquiry response; 3-4 months total process
  • Grant Range: $6,000 - $200,000
  • Median Grant: $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Pierce County, Washington (primary)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.garymilgardfamilyfoundation.org

Phone: (253) 274-0121

Address: 1701 Commerce St., Tacoma, WA 98402

Grant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=milgardfamilyfoundation

Key Staff:

  • Christine Zemanek, Executive Director
  • Dana Howerton, Grants Manager/Executive Assistant

Overview

The Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-Cari, operating as the Whisper Foundation, was established in 2016 when the original Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation (founded in 2000 by Gary and Carol Milgard) reorganized into four separate legacy foundations. With assets totaling $115.3 million, the foundation distributed $5.29 million in charitable grants in 2024. Led by Cari Milgard as President and CEO, along with her children Kasey and Kirby Milgard as program directors, the foundation supports well-managed organizations in Pierce County that work to improve quality of life and impact positive change. The foundation emphasizes flexibility in its focus areas, noting they "may change over time as we are committed to listening and learning about the evolving needs of our communities." The Whisper Foundation is one of four family foundations including the Ruth Foundation, Skylight Foundation, and Windows of Hope Foundation, all continuing the mission created by Gary, Carol, Cari, Lori, and Mark Milgard.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants Program: Rolling application basis through online portal; typically 13 grants awarded annually ranging from $6,000 to $200,000 with a median of $100,000.

Priority Areas (2025 Distribution)

The foundation's current giving breakdown demonstrates clear priorities:

  • Social Services (50%) - Organizations providing essential community services
  • Health and Wellness (29%) - Programs focusing on community health outcomes
  • Animal Welfare (12%) - Animal initiatives and welfare programs
  • Youth Programs (9%) - Youth development and support services

Recent grant recipients include:

  • Greater Tacoma Community Foundation - PenMet Parks Community Recreation Center ($200,000)
  • Nourish Pierce County - General Operating ($150,000)
  • Emergency Food Network of Tacoma-Pierce County - Co-op Food Purchasing Program ($100,000)
  • HopeSparks Family Services - Children's Mental Health ($100,000)
  • Making a Difference Foundation - Eloise's Cooking Pot program ($100,000)
  • PACK (People for Animal Care and Kindness)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
  • Annual funds, galas, or special events
  • Sectarian religious activities
  • Political lobbying or advocacy
  • Organizations that discriminate based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, political affiliation, or religious belief

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Cari Milgard, President and CEO - Leads the Whisper Foundation as part of the family's philanthropic legacy
  • Kasey Milgard, Vice President & Secretary, Program Director (Board Member)
  • Kirby Milgard, Vice President & Treasurer, Program Director (Board Member)
  • Christine Zemanek, Executive Director and Philanthropic Advisor
  • Dana Howerton, Grants Manager/Executive Assistant
  • Paul DeGoede, Director

The foundation operates with a multi-generational approach, with Cari Milgard's children actively involved as program directors and board members. The foundation embraces the saying often used by Gary and Carol Milgard: "It takes everybody pulling on the oar" to describe achieving a common goal - a philosophy that continues to guide their collaborative approach to community service.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Eligibility Quiz - Complete the online eligibility quiz covering:

  • State of operation
  • Focus area alignment
  • Grant amount requested
  • Whether the grant serves Pierce County, WA

Step 2: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) - Submit through the online grant portal providing general information about your organization and funding request to determine alignment with foundation priorities

Step 3: Full Grant Application - If LOI is approved, you'll receive an email invitation to submit a complete application

Step 4: Review Process - May include meeting or site visit with foundation board

Step 5: Grant Terms & Reporting - Approved grants require signed terms and follow-up reports at 6 months and 1 year

Application Portal: Applications must be submitted online at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=milgardfamilyfoundation

Organizations may apply to multiple Milgard family foundations if eligible for each, though access codes are one-time use and foundation-specific.

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Response Time: 12-16 weeks
  • Full Process: 3-4 months from initial LOI submission to final decision
  • Application Cycle: No fixed deadlines; rolling basis throughout the year
  • Annual Cutoff: New application submissions typically close by mid-November
  • Notification Method: Email communication for all decisions

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or percentage of applications funded. In 2024, the foundation made 13 grants totaling $1.1 million (based on earlier reporting), though total charitable disbursements reached $5.29 million, suggesting additional grants or multi-year commitments.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can generally apply once per calendar year unless otherwise approved by the foundation. If your LOI is declined, the foundation encourages applicants to contact their office for feedback on the reasons, which can help determine whether to reapply in the following year.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Pierce County: The foundation's primary geographic focus is Pierce County, Washington. Organizations serving this area demonstrate the strongest alignment with the foundation's mission.

Well-Managed Organizations: The foundation explicitly seeks "well managed non-profit projects and programs" and "well managed organizations." Strong organizational capacity, financial health, and operational effectiveness are key factors.

Direct Service Delivery: Recent grants show a preference for organizations providing direct services to community members, such as food programs, mental health services, and animal welfare initiatives rather than intermediary or advocacy organizations.

Community Impact Focus: The foundation values programs that "improve quality of life and impact positive change" with measurable outcomes. Applications should clearly articulate how the proposed program will benefit the community.

Current Priority Alignment: With 50% of 2025 giving allocated to social services, organizations in this sector have the strongest alignment. Health and wellness programs (29%) also represent a significant portion of the foundation's giving.

Flexibility and Learning: The foundation notes their focus areas "may change over time as we are committed to listening and learning about the evolving needs of our communities," suggesting responsiveness to current community needs is valued.

Multi-Year Relationships: The foundation appears to support organizations through general operating support and specific programs, suggesting they value building ongoing relationships with effective organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pierce County focus is essential - While the foundation has made grants outside the county, organizations serving Pierce County, WA have the strongest chance of success

  • Apply early in the year - New applications typically close by mid-November; submitting earlier in the calendar year allows more time for the multi-month review process

  • Emphasize organizational capacity - The foundation's repeated emphasis on "well managed" organizations means demonstrating strong governance, financial health, and operational effectiveness is critical

  • Social services and health/wellness programs are priorities - With 79% of 2025 giving allocated to these areas, organizations in these sectors should prioritize applying

  • Plan for a 3-4 month process - Build adequate lead time into your funding timeline, as the foundation's thorough review process takes 12-16 weeks for initial LOI response alone

  • Be prepared for follow-up reporting - The foundation requires reports at 6 months and one year, and failure to submit these reports disqualifies future grant opportunities - demonstrate your commitment to accountability

  • Consider applying to multiple Milgard foundations - If your organization aligns with more than one of the four family foundations' priorities, you can submit separate applications to each

References

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