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The Foster Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.2M
Grant Range
$6K - $0.3M
Decision Time
4mo

The Foster Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 911265474
  • Annual Giving: $2,180,096 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $50,018,756
  • Grant Range: $6,000 - $300,000
  • Number of Grants: 62 grants awarded in 2023
  • Geographic Focus: Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska) with most giving in Seattle area
  • Application Method: Invitation only (by invitation since 2017)

Contact Details

Address: 13 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033

Phone: 206-419-8623

Email: info@thefosterfoundation.org

Website: http://www.thefosterfoundation.org

For Application Questions: Karen Okamura Rowe, Executive Director/Corporate Secretary/Treasurer at 206-726-1815

Overview

The Foster Foundation was established in 1984 by Albert O. Foster (founder of Foster & Marshall stock brokerage firm in 1938), his wife Evelyn, and their son Michael to provide ongoing support for the people and communities of the Pacific Northwest. Although all three founding members have passed away—Albert in 1986, Evelyn in 2002, and Michael in 2003—their philanthropic legacy continues. Since 1984, the foundation has invested over $100 million in nonprofit organizations throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. In 2007, the foundation made headlines with a $36.5 million gift to the University of Washington, bringing their total contributions to the university to $50 million and resulting in the naming of the Michael G. Foster School of Business. The foundation takes a proactive, invitation-only approach to grantmaking, focusing on innovative and collaborative approaches that meet critical needs and produce measurable outcomes for underserved populations, especially children, women, and seniors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foster Foundation operates a single invitation-only grant program with the following characteristics:

  • Grant Range: $6,000 - $300,000 (typical awards $5,000 - $500,000)
  • Application Window: Organization Information Forms accepted January 1 - August 31
  • Decision Timeline: Final decisions announced in December, with funds transmitted for use in the next calendar year
  • Application Method: Invitation only via online portal

Priority Areas

The Foster Foundation prioritizes funding in four main areas:

1. Education Supports innovative programs that improve literacy, learning, and academic success for all ages, including training, tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment programs. The foundation's strategy includes both direct support for public and private schools and districts, and partnerships with youth- and education-related nonprofits working to improve educational outcomes for underserved students. Sample grantees include Hamlin Robinson School for special needs students, Rainier Scholars, Youth Eastside Services, Bellevue Schools, Prospect Enrichment Preschool, and Seattle Urban Academy. Higher education funding mainly supports the University of Washington.

2. Public Health/Healthcare Prioritizes research to aid in the understanding, treatment, and prevention of diseases, along with hospice care and HIV/AIDS research and education. Most giving in this area stays in the Seattle area, where large hospitals and medical research organizations receive ongoing support.

3. Social Services/Human Welfare Funds emergency and critical human services that support people and families in need, including food, emergency/transitional housing, job/life skills training, counseling, and other resources that build economic self-reliance. Past support has included new shower facilities and enhanced security at a women's shelter, large capacity passenger vans for a homeless mission, and updated computer systems at an after-school activity center.

4. Community Engagement Nurtures the spirit and well-being of Northwest communities by supporting cultural, artistic, and recreational activities that engage all ages and populations.

The foundation places special emphasis on meeting the needs of underserved and disadvantaged segments of the population, especially children, women, and seniors. Priority is given to funding innovative and collaborative approaches to meeting critical needs that result in improved services, increased impact, and positive outcomes.

Geographic Focus

Organizations must be located in or serve populations of the Pacific Northwest, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. While the foundation names this five-state giving area, most of its giving stays in the Seattle area.

What They Fund

The foundation has a history of funding tangible, hands-on needs of organizations that directly serve constituents, such as books for preschools or beds and food for shelters.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors/Governors:

  • Michael G. Foster Jr. - President
  • Karen O. Rowe (Karen Okamura Rowe) - Corporate Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Director
  • Todd Patrick - Director
  • J. Bradford Smith - Director

The foundation operates with a lean governance structure, with the leadership team working closely with trustees to make final funding decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Foster Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Beginning with their 2017 funding cycle, the foundation moved to an invitation-only application process.

Step 1: Submit Organization Information Form (January 1 - August 31)

  • All grant seekers, including prior grantees and organizations who have submitted proposals in the past, must complete an Organization Information Form
  • This form allows the foundation to review your goals and mission to determine if you qualify for partner status
  • Organizations can submit this form through the foundation's online system

Step 2: Wait for Invitation

  • The foundation reviews submissions to identify potential partner organizations
  • If the foundation determines your organization is a good match to their funding strategies, they will notify you to confirm your status as a partner organization and invite you to submit a full proposal
  • Networking may expedite this process

Step 3: Submit Full Grant Request (if invited)

  • Invited organizations submit a complete Grant Request proposal online
  • The foundation reviews each request for completeness against their stated requirements and funding priorities
  • If additional information is required, they may contact you or conduct a site visit

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must have current 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service
  • Must be located in or serve populations of the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska)
  • Must address one of the foundation's Priority Issues as your mission or project intent
  • Must not have any delinquent final reports due to the foundation from previous grant cycles

Critical Note: Organizations delinquent in reporting about their prior grant will not be eligible for funding in the next grant cycle.

Decision Timeline

  • Submission Window: January 1 - August 31 (Organization Information Forms)
  • Review Process: Foundation staff reviews submissions and may conduct site visits
  • Trustee Meetings: Foundation staff meets with trustees to make final funding decisions
  • Final Decisions: Announced in December
  • Fund Distribution: Organizations awarded grants are notified by letter transmitting the funds in December for use in the next calendar year

Site Visits

The foundation may conduct site visits as part of the evaluation process. They prefer to keep site visits as informal as possible, viewing them as an opportunity to witness the organization's mission statement in action. No special preparation or presentation is required—their goal is to have meaningful conversations about the work with key staff and program participants.

Success Rates

  • 2023: 62 grants awarded
  • 2022: 61 grants awarded
  • Total Annual Giving: Approximately $2 million annually

Specific application-to-award success rate data is not publicly available, as the invitation-only process naturally pre-screens applicants.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly specify a waiting period for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations that have been reviewed and rejected will not be able to login or submit a proposal for funding in that cycle. However, organizations may resubmit Organization Information Forms in subsequent years. For specific guidance on reapplication, contact Executive Director Karen Okamura Rowe at 206-726-1815.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach, the following factors appear most important for success:

1. Alignment with Priority Issues Organizations must clearly address one of the four priority areas (Education, Public Health/Healthcare, Social Services/Human Welfare, or Community Engagement) as their core mission or project intent. The foundation emphasizes innovative and collaborative approaches that result in measurable outcomes.

2. Focus on Underserved Populations The foundation places special emphasis on meeting the needs of underserved and disadvantaged segments of the population, especially children, women, and seniors. Applications should clearly demonstrate how they serve these populations.

3. Tangible, Direct Service The foundation has a history of funding tangible, hands-on needs that directly serve constituents. Examples include books for preschools, beds and food for shelters, shower facilities for women's shelters, passenger vans for homeless missions, and computer systems for after-school centers. Projects should demonstrate direct impact on beneficiaries.

4. Geographic Connection to Pacific Northwest While the foundation accepts applications from five states, most giving stays in the Seattle area. Organizations with strong roots in the Pacific Northwest and those serving local communities appear to have an advantage.

5. Organizational Accountability The foundation takes reporting requirements seriously. Organizations must stay current on all reporting obligations from prior grants to remain eligible. This demonstrates operational competence and respect for funder accountability.

6. Mission-Driven Authenticity During site visits, the foundation wants to witness "the organization's mission statement in action" in an informal setting. This suggests they value authentic, mission-driven organizations over those focused on impressive presentations. Be prepared to have genuine conversations about your work with staff and participants.

7. Collaborative and Innovative Approaches The foundation explicitly prioritizes "innovative and collaborative approaches to meeting critical needs that result in improved services, increased impact and positive outcomes." Applications should highlight partnerships, novel solutions, and measurable impact.

8. Economic Self-Reliance Focus (for Human Services) For social services funding, the foundation emphasizes "resources and opportunities that build economic self-reliance," not just emergency aid. Programs should demonstrate how they help people achieve long-term stability.

9. Relationship Building The foundation notes that "networking may expedite this process" of being invited to submit a proposal. Building relationships with foundation staff and board members through professional networks and sector connections can help organizations get on their radar.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process: You cannot submit an unsolicited proposal. Submit an Organization Information Form between January 1-August 31 and wait to be invited. This is a two-stage process requiring patience.

  • Seattle-area advantage: While five states are eligible, most funding stays in the Seattle area. Organizations outside the greater Seattle region should clearly demonstrate how their work serves Pacific Northwest communities.

  • Tangible needs get funded: The foundation prefers concrete, hands-on needs (equipment, facilities, materials) over abstract program development. Be specific about what you need and how it directly serves constituents.

  • Report on time, every time: Delinquent reports disqualify you from future funding. This is non-negotiable and demonstrates the foundation's emphasis on accountability.

  • Network strategically: With an invitation-only process, being known to foundation staff and trustees matters. Attend relevant philanthropic and nonprofit events in the Pacific Northwest where foundation representatives may be present.

  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes: The foundation prioritizes approaches that result in "improved services, increased impact and positive outcomes." Include concrete metrics and evaluation plans.

  • Serve the underserved: Special emphasis on children, women, and seniors who are disadvantaged or underserved. Clearly articulate who you serve and why they need support.

References

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