Grousemont Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 91-1276047 · since 1985grousemontfoundation.org·British Columbia, Oregon, Washington·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$10.2M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$2,500 to $100k

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$25,000

Typical grant (median)

179 grants in the latest filing

Invitation only

Unsolicited applications are not accepted

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.

Key takeaways

Grousemont Foundation funds health, wellbeing and connection work across the Cascadia region, with portfolios covering arts, education, environment, health, human services, affordable housing and civic projects, and it particularly focuses on communities most impacted by inequities, including BIPOC community-rooted organisations and work on climate and environmental justice.
It does not accept unsolicited applications, so a grant writer cannot simply submit a proposal; the foundation says it actively seeks out organisations itself and builds relationships beyond paperwork, so the practical route is to become visible and connected within its fields and region rather than to apply cold.
About eight in ten of its grants to organisations fall between $2,500 and $100,000, and half of its grants were $25,000 or less, so a modest request in that range is realistic for most applicants, though its largest grant, some $2,550,000, went to Seattle Foundation, an organisation it funds every year as a regranting intermediary.
Most of its grant dollars, 73%, went to organisations it had already funded in the previous two years' filings, suggesting it leans towards sustaining existing relationships rather than funding many brand-new partners each year.
Given the invitation-only process, small charities new to the foundation should focus on building a relationship and profile in its areas of work rather than preparing a formal application.

Overview

Grousemont Foundation is a US private foundation based in Seattle, 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 Grousemont Foundation supports organisations advancing health, wellbeing and connection in communities across the Cascadia region, particularly those most impacted by inequities. Its Community Partner portfolio spans arts, education, environment, health and human services, often at their intersections, and offers multi-year support. Its Social Impact portfolio backs BIPOC community-rooted organisations leading transformative change, including work on housing and homelessness, affordable housing development and first-time homeownership, as well as responses to emergent needs. Its Climate & Environmental Justice programme supports action on environmental injustices and climate impacts affecting marginalised communities, including work on water and air quality, climate mitigation and adaptation, and toxics exposure. Its Civic Impact portfolio supports Cascadia-based capital and civic projects that strengthen community bonds.

Themes

Arts
Education
Environment
Health
Human services
Affordable housing
Civic projects

Geographic Focus

Priority: Cascadia region.

How to apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. It actively seeks organisations that align with its mission and values, fostering relationships beyond paperwork and formalities.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 73% 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 478 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

The foundation looks for community partners who understand their challenges and can effectively use its support within their communities.
The foundation prioritises agility and responsiveness, trusting those closest to the issues to act with wisdom, urgency and accountability.

Where grants go

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

Grant dollars by state

Washington90%

District of Columbia3%

California2%

Connecticut2%

Massachusetts1%

New York<1%

6 other states: 2%

The largest single recipient received 17% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 73% of grant dollars went to organisations Grousemont Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
18% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

179 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $25,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 179 grants in tax year 2024 by size

Under $1k3%

$1k–$2.5k2%

$2.5k–$5k8%

$5k–$10k9%

$10k–$25k23%

$25k–$50k18%

$50k–$100k25%

$100k–$250k7%

$250k–$500k3%

$500k–$1M1%

$1M and over1%

Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)

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

Seattle Center Foundation · Memorial stadium project
$1,250,0002024 tax year
Seattle Center Foundation · Memorial stadium project
$1,250,0002024 tax year
Uw Brotherhoodsisterhood Initiative (No Regrets) · Campaign for expansion
$500,0002024 tax year
Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition · General & unrestricted
$300,0002024 tax year
Seattle Center Foundation · Shaping our future campaign
$300,0002024 tax year
Washington Conservation Action Education Fund · General & unrestricted
$300,0002024 tax year
Woodland Park Zoological Society · General & unrestricted
$250,0002024 tax year
Tubman Center for Health & Freedom · Capital campaign
$250,0002024 tax year

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

Officers and directors

Sarah Hopper — Executive Director
Lauren Rolfe — Director
Sally Wright — Director / Treasurer
Korynne Wright — Director / Secretary
Kate Janeway — Director
Kyle Rolfe — President / Director

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$10,584,913	$9,439,667	$182,433,625	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$11,836,427	$10,829,333	$229,906,451	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$17,425,497	$10,205,500	$240,495,782	Filing 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.