Grousemont Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $10.8 million (2023)
Number of Awards: 154 grants (2023)
Grant Range: $500 - $250,000+
Geographic Focus: Washington State, primarily Seattle/King County area
Application Method: Invitation only - no unsolicited applications accepted
Grant Structure: Multi-year partnerships (typically 3 years)

Contact Details

Address: Seattle, WA
EIN: 91-1276047
Website: https://www.grousemontfoundation.org/

Key Staff:

Sarah Hopper, Chief Executive Officer
Tony Rosendo, Chief Operating Officer
Rosa Gimson, Director of Grantmaking

Overview

Established in 1984 by Howard S. Wright, whose family company built Seattle's landmark Space Needle, the Grousemont Foundation extends a philanthropic legacy dating back to 1885. As a private family foundation with assets exceeding $50 million, the foundation's mission is to serve as "a family of stewards resourcing communities to build a healthy and equitable Cascadia region." In 2023, the foundation distributed $10,829,333 through 154 grants.

The foundation operates through an invitation-only model, having recently transitioned away from accepting unsolicited applications. Instead, they maintain ongoing relationships with approximately 40 nonprofit partners in Washington State, providing them with unrestricted, multi-year funding. This approach reflects their commitment to relational, trust-based philanthropy that removes burdensome fundraising practices and enables partners to be nimble and responsive to direct community needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Partner Grants Three-year grants supporting organizations demonstrating excellence in arts, education, environment, health, and human services. The foundation seeks organizations "setting the bar high" in their respective fields.

Social Impact Grants Multi-year grants embodying relational, trust-based philanthropy, specifically supporting BIPOC community-rooted organizations leading transformative change. These grants emphasize partnership over traditional funder-grantee dynamics.

Climate & Environmental Justice Grants Funding for projects addressing environmental injustices and climate impacts experienced by marginalized communities in the Cascadia region.

Civic Impact Grants Support for capital projects and catalytic programs that transform Seattle into a better place for the community, honoring the Wright family's historic civic commitment to the region.

Priority Areas

Education & Youth Development: Programs supporting young people, particularly youth of color, and alternatives to incarceration for young adults

Arts & Culture: Major Seattle cultural institutions and community-based arts programs (past recipients include Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Museum of Pop Culture, Arts Corps)

Environmental Justice: Community-led environmental solutions and organizations elevating voices impacted by environmental pollution and climate change

Health & Human Services: Organizations serving community health and social service needs

Civic Infrastructure: Community facilities and transformative public spaces

Racial Justice: BIPOC-led organizations working toward systemic change and community empowerment

Recent Grant Recipients (Examples)

EarthLab: Developing innovative, just, and equitable solutions to environmental challenges and climate action
Duwamish River Community Coalition (DRCC): Elevating voices impacted by Duwamish River pollution and environmental injustices
Brotherhood and Sisterhood Initiatives at University of Washington: Empowering young men and women of color through holistic, cohort-based programs
Community Passageways: Creating alternatives to incarceration for youth and young adults
Byrd Barr Place: $250,000 grant (2021) - significant investment in BIPOC-serving organization
Memorial Stadium Redevelopment Project: Transforming the stadium into a state-of-the-art community space
Seattle cultural institutions: Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Parks Foundation, Friends of the Seattle Waterfront, Pacific Science Center

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

Sarah Hopper, Chief Executive Officer: Provides long-range planning and strategic vision to the foundation, overseeing overall grantmaking and operations
Tony Rosendo, Chief Operating Officer: Manages operational functions
Rosa Gimson, Director of Grantmaking: Leads grantmaking strategy, activities, and operations
Steve Hill, Operations Coordinator: Supports data systems, reporting, and administrative functions
Nora Kim, Client Services Manager: Supports administrative and grantmaking activities
Rashad Morris, Advisor: Advises on Climate and Environmental Justice grants program

Board of Trustees (partial listing):

Kate Janeway, Trustee
Korynne Wright, Trustee (extensive philanthropic experience in Seattle area)

The foundation is rooted in the Wright family's commitment to civic engagement and operates as a family foundation with professional staff managing day-to-day operations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Grousemont Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited letters of interest, proposals, or grant applications.

The foundation transitioned to this invitation-only model to focus on building deeper, trust-based relationships with a core group of approximately 40 community partners. All current funding partnerships are established through the foundation's proactive outreach and relationship-building efforts.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation practices relational philanthropy based on trust, collaboration, and shared values. Rather than accepting direct applications, they actively seek out organizations that align with their mission and values.

Specific strategies for this funder:

Networking with current grantees: The foundation maintains relationships with approximately 40 community organizations. Building relationships with these existing partners may provide pathways to foundation awareness
Sector engagement: Foundation staff, including Director of Grantmaking Rosa Gimson and advisors like Rashad Morris (Climate & Environmental Justice), are active in Seattle's philanthropic community
Alignment with priorities: Organizations working in their priority areas (BIPOC-led transformative change, environmental justice, civic infrastructure, arts and culture) are more likely to be on the foundation's radar

The foundation emphasizes that by removing burdensome fundraising practices and committing to multi-year relationships with nonprofits engaged in deep community work, they enable partners to be nimble and responsive to direct community needs.

Grant Structure

Duration: Primarily multi-year commitments, with Community Partner Grants explicitly structured as three-year partnerships
Type: Unrestricted funding to support organizational flexibility and responsiveness
Renewal: Multi-year structure suggests ongoing relationships rather than annual reapplication

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of this funder, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values provides insight into organizations they seek as partners:

Foundation's Stated Values:

Excellence: Community Partner Grants go to organizations "setting the bar high for excellence" in their fields
Transformative Impact: The foundation seeks "catalytic programs" and organizations "leading transformative change"
Community-Rooted Leadership: Emphasis on BIPOC community-rooted organizations with authentic community connections
Trust-Based Relationships: The foundation describes their approach as "relational, trust-based philanthropy" founded on collaboration and shared values
Organizational Nimbleness: They value unrestricted funding because it enables partners to "be nimble and responsive to direct needs in the community"

Recent Funding Patterns:

Strong support for BIPOC-led organizations (evidenced by Social Impact program and grants like $250,000 to Byrd Barr Place)
Balance between established cultural institutions and grassroots community organizations
Focus on environmental justice, not just environmentalism
Support for alternatives to traditional systems (e.g., alternatives to incarceration)
Investment in civic infrastructure benefiting broad community use

Geographic Alignment: While the mission references the Cascadia region, grants are concentrated in Washington State, particularly the Seattle/King County area. Organizations outside this geography are unlikely to align with current priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Not accepting applications: This foundation has explicitly closed its doors to unsolicited proposals. Do not submit applications or letters of inquiry
Relationship-based model: The foundation operates on a partnership model with approximately 40 core organizations receiving multi-year unrestricted support
Multi-year, unrestricted funding: When the foundation does partner with organizations, they provide significant flexibility through unrestricted, multi-year grants
BIPOC leadership priority: The Social Impact program specifically centers BIPOC community-rooted organizations leading transformative change
Geographic focus: Despite Cascadia-wide mission language, grantmaking concentrates in Washington State, particularly greater Seattle area
Substantial investments: Grant amounts range significantly ($500 - $250,000+), with major investments in aligned organizations
Networking value: Given the invitation-only model, connections with current grantees, foundation staff, or board members may be the only pathway to foundation awareness
Values alignment critical: Excellence, transformative impact, community-rooted leadership, and commitment to equity are central to the foundation's identity

References

Grousemont Foundation Official Website. "Resourcing Cascadian Communities." https://www.grousemontfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 2024)
Grousemont Foundation. "Grants Programs." https://www.grousemontfoundation.org/grants/ (Accessed December 2024)
Grousemont Foundation. "About the Foundation." https://www.grousemontfoundation.org/about/ (Accessed December 2024)
Grousemont Foundation. "Grants Approved." https://www.grousemontfoundation.org/grants/grants-approved/ (Accessed December 2024)
Cause IQ. "Grousemont Foundation | Seattle, WA." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/grousemont-foundation,911276047/ (Accessed December 2024)
Inside Philanthropy. "Grousemont Foundation." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/washington-grants/grousemont-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Grousemont Foundation." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/911276047 (Accessed December 2024)
Instrumentl. "Grousemont Foundation | Seattle, WA | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/grousemont-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
Grousemont Foundation. "2023 Form 990-PF Public Disclosure." https://www.grousemontfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2023-Form-990PF-Public-Disclosure.pdf (Accessed December 2024)
Grantmakers.io. "Grousemont Foundation Profile." https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/911276047-grousemont-foundation/ (Accessed December 2024)