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Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark (Ruth Foundation)

Annual Giving
$5.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.2M
Decision Time
6mo

Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark (Ruth Foundation)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,952,068 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 12-16 weeks per stage (LOI and full application)
  • Grant Range: $9,720 - $1,200,000
  • Geographic Focus: Pierce County, Washington (primarily)

Contact Details

Tacoma Office:

Overview

The Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark, operating as the Ruth Foundation, was established in 2016 when the original Gary E Milgard Family Foundation reorganized into four legacy foundations representing the individual passions of board members. Founded by Gary and Carol Milgard in 2000, the foundation originated from MGCAT, a community action giving program within the Milgard window business. The Ruth Foundation, with assets totaling over $112 million, made 37 grants in 2023 totaling nearly $5 million. The foundation focuses on animal welfare and marine life preservation in Pierce County, Washington, with some support for pre-selected youth and homelessness initiatives. The foundation's mission is to "support well-managed nonprofit projects and programs that improve quality of life and impact a positive change in the community."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Ruth Foundation operates a single grant program with a rolling application process through their online portal. Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope and organizational capacity.

2024 Funding Breakdown:

  • Animal welfare: 80%
  • Youth initiatives: 9%
  • Social services: 7%
  • Environment: 4%

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Animal welfare organizations providing direct services
  • Marine life preservation programs
  • Animal rescue and sanctuary operations
  • Humane societies and animal shelters

Secondary Focus:

  • Pre-selected youth development initiatives
  • Homelessness services (pre-selected organizations)
  • Environmental conservation projects

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-501(c)3 organizations
  • Annual fundraising events
  • Religious or political activities
  • Discriminatory organizations
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus (generally)

Governance and Leadership

Board Members:

  • Mark Milgard - President and CEO - Board Member Mark is one of three children of founders Gary and Carol Milgard who continue the family's philanthropic legacy.

  • Harold Berry - Executive Director

  • Jill Berry - Secretary

The foundation maintains strong ties to its original values established by Gary and Carol Milgard, with many staff members having long-standing family connections to the original Milgard Windows company.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Ruth Foundation accepts applications through an online portal with a two-stage process:

Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  1. Create an online account at the grant portal
  2. Complete an eligibility quiz to ensure proper foundation alignment
  3. Submit LOI with general organizational information and funding request
  4. Wait 12-16 weeks for review and email response

Stage 2: Full Application (if invited)

  1. Submit detailed application through the portal
  2. Foundation may schedule site visits
  3. Wait additional 12-16 weeks for decision
  4. Receive award letter and terms if approved

Key Application Features:

  • Applications can be saved and completed over multiple sessions
  • Only online applications accepted (no mailed or emailed applications)
  • Must have 501(c)3 tax-exempt status
  • Organizations generally limited to one grant per calendar year

Application Timing:

  • Rolling basis with no fixed deadlines
  • Foundation generally closes new applications by mid-November
  • Total process can take 3-4 months

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Review: 12-16 weeks
  • Full Application Review: 12-16 weeks
  • Total Process: 3-4 months from initial LOI submission
  • Notification Method: Email
  • Site Visits: May be scheduled after LOI approval

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the foundation made 37 awards in 2023 and 55 awards in 2022, indicating selective grantmaking focused on well-aligned organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations with declined LOIs can contact the foundation office for feedback about their application. The foundation limits organizations to one grant per calendar year, suggesting that successful applicants would need to wait at least a year before reapplying for additional funding.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and recent grantmaking:

Strong Alignment Indicators:

  • Organizations providing direct services in animal welfare or marine life preservation
  • Pierce County, Washington location or service area
  • Demonstrated track record of well-managed programs
  • Clear, measurable impact on community quality of life
  • Strong operational capacity to manage significant grants

Recent Successful Recipients (2024):

  • The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County: $1,200,000
  • Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound: $450,100
  • Pasado's Safe Haven: $405,900
  • Ginger's Pet Rescue: $250,000
  • Dog is My CoPilot: $175,000

Application Tips:

  • Complete the eligibility quiz carefully to ensure proper foundation match
  • Focus on direct service provision rather than awareness or advocacy
  • Emphasize organizational management capacity
  • Demonstrate clear community impact
  • Be specific about how funding will improve quality of life
  • Contact foundation office with questions before applying

Reporting Requirements:

  • Successful grantees must submit 6-month and annual online reports
  • Capital campaigns require 6-month status updates
  • Public recognition should thank "Gary Milgard Family"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Animal welfare focus: 80% of 2024 giving went to animal welfare organizations - this is the primary funding priority
  • Significant grant range: Awards vary dramatically from under $10,000 to $1.2 million, suggesting capacity-based funding
  • Geographic limitation: Strong preference for Pierce County, Washington organizations providing local services
  • Two-stage process: Plan for a 3-4 month process from LOI to funding decision
  • Well-managed organizations: Foundation explicitly seeks well-managed programs with proven track records
  • Direct services priority: Focus on organizations providing direct services rather than research, advocacy, or awareness campaigns
  • Limited annual grants: One grant per organization per year limits funding opportunities

References

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