The Foster Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 91-1265474 · since 1984thefosterfoundation.org·Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$2.2M
Annual giving, 2024 tax year
From the Form 990-PF filing
$10,000 to $100k
Grant range
From grants in the 990-PF filings
$10,000
Typical grant (median)
59 grants in the latest filing
Open to applications
Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

  • If your organisation works in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana or Alaska, which is the foundation's stated geographic focus, and addresses one of its themes (social services, education, medical research and care, arts and culture, or sports and recreation), your work may fit.
  • A request of about $10,000 to $100,000 is realistic: about 8 in 10 of its grants to organisations fall in that typical band, and half are $10,000 or less, so a modest request suits most applicants.
  • Because 99% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had already funded in earlier filings, the foundation appears relationship-led, so start with an Organization Information Form, which it accepts from January 1 to August 31, and expect proposals, which are due August 31, only if it invites you.
  • New or previously unfunded organisations should not be put off, but they should show an effective track record and a sustainable business plan, which the foundation says it favours.
  • Organisations whose policies or practices discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sex, creed or sexual orientation, sectarian or religious organisations whose activities benefit only their members, and any applicant seeking loans or direct grants or scholarships for specific individuals should not apply.

Overview

The Foster Foundation is a US private foundation based in Kirkland, WA.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports nonprofit work to improve quality of life in Pacific Northwest communities. Its priorities include emergency and critical services for people and families, such as food, housing and skills training; programmes that advance literacy, learning and academic success; medical research, treatment and disease prevention; and cultural, artistic, sports and recreational activity. It seeks under-resourced opportunities and cultivates long-term partnerships with well-run nonprofits able to deliver. Eligible organisations must hold current 501(c)(3) status, be located in or serve Pacific Northwest populations, address a priority issue and have no delinquent final reports. The foundation reviews organisations and invites those that fit its strategies to submit proposals, favouring effective organisations with strong track records and sustainable business plans and innovative, collaborative approaches that improve services and outcomes.

Themes

  • Social services
  • Education
  • Medical research and care
  • Arts and culture
  • Sports and recreation

Geographic Focus

Washington; Oregon; Idaho; Montana; Alaska.

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct grants, scholarships or loans for the benefit of specific individuals
  • Projects of organizations whose policies or practices discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sex, creed or sexual orientation
  • Contributions or program support for sectarian or religious organizations whose activities benefit only their members
  • Loans

How to apply

Organisations submit an Organization Information Form so the foundation can review their mission and goals and decide whether to grant partner status and invite a proposal.

Deadlines:

  • Organization Information Form data is accepted from January 1 to August 31.
  • Grant Request proposals are due August 31.

Application success factors

  • Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 99% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
  • Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 182 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

  • The foundation looks for effective organisations with a strong track record and a sustainable business plan.
  • It gives priority to innovative and collaborative approaches that improve services, impact and outcomes for constituents.
  • Where possible, the foundation prefers fulfilling specific requests from its grantees.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Washington99%
Virginia<1%
Illinois<1%
  • The largest single recipient received 23% of grant dollars to organisations.
  • In tax year 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to organisations The Foster Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
  • No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
  • 6% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

59 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $10,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 59 grants in tax year 2024 by size

$5k–$10k2%
$10k–$25k78%
$25k–$50k5%
$50k–$100k5%
$100k–$250k7%
$250k–$500k2%
$500k–$1M2%

Median $10,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

  • Uw Athletic Department · General
    $750,0002024 tax year
  • Swedish Medical Center Foundation · Medical
    $260,0002024 tax year
  • Montlake Futures · General
    $160,0002024 tax year
  • Overlake Medical Center Foundation · Social services
    $135,0002024 tax year
  • Seattle Foundation · General
    $127,7922024 tax year
  • University of Washington Foster School Building · Education
    $100,0002024 tax year
  • Northwest Harvest · Social services
    $60,0002024 tax year
  • Seattle Art Museum · General
    $50,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

  • J Bradford Smith — Director
  • Todd Patrick — Director
  • Karen O Rowe — Corporate Secretary / Treasurer
  • Michael G Foster JR — President

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

YearTotal expensesGrants paidAssetsFiling document
2022 tax year$2,458,127$1,922,709$41,930,683Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year$2,178,365$2,180,096$44,741,516Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year$2,873,985$2,237,792$58,559,788Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.

Sources

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