The Russell Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,237,599 (2023)
• Total Assets: $77.3 million
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $600,000
• Total Grants: 124 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Western Washington (Puget Sound region, Pierce County and surrounding counties)
• Application Type: Primarily invitation-only (except Jane's Fellowship)

Contact Details

Address: 3025 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Phone: 253-858-5050

Email: info@trff.org

Website: https://trff.org

Grants and Operations Manager: Britta Francesconi - Britta@trff.org

Grant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=russell

Overview

The Russell Family Foundation was established in 1999 by Jane and George Russell using proceeds from the sale of Frank Russell Company to Northwestern Mutual Life. George pioneered the business of pension fund consulting while Jane served as the company's architect of corporate culture. The foundation, with $77.3 million in assets, made 124 grants totaling $1,237,599 in 2023. Over its history, the foundation has awarded more than 800 grants totaling $41 million for Puget Sound protection and restoration alone. The foundation's mission is to "invest in people and places to advance environmental sustainability and address the climate crisis," with a vision for "a thriving, equitable, and sustainable Earth." In recent years, the foundation has reimagined its focus to center on addressing the climate crisis while prioritizing equity, justice, and belonging. CEO Kathleen Simpson states the foundation is "fully committed to engaging with and being a resource for partners to drive towards meaningful change."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Catalytic Climate Finance (CCF): This program deploys both grants ($200,000-$275,000 annually) and investments ($19-$20 million annually) to advance climate solutions. Recent grants have ranged from general operating support grants to organizations across Western Washington. The foundation announced $19.5 million in CCF grants and investments in 2025.

Environmental Education: Provides outdoor environmental education experiences for middle and high school students. The foundation has awarded 662 grants totaling $19.6 million since inception. Recent annual rounds have awarded $700,000-$819,000 to 26-32 organizations. Individual grants typically range from $25,000-$45,000. Application by invitation only.

Food for Climate Solutions: Supports organizations increasing sustainability of local farm businesses, strengthening the regional food system, and promoting climate-resilient, organic, and regenerative farming practices. Grants range from $3,000-$65,000. All grants prioritize organizations serving historically excluded communities given systemic barriers to land access.

Jane's Fellowship Program: A 12-month leadership development program for Pierce County residents (24+ years old). Brings together up to 15 grassroots leaders annually. Fellows receive an $8,500 stipend plus up to $2,500 for additional coaching/training. Since 2004, 144 grassroots leaders have graduated across 12 classes. This program accepts public applications.

Priority Areas

• Accelerating greenhouse gas emission reductions through investments
• Providing early-stage funding for grassroots climate movements
• Collaborative climate action
• Promoting just transition to Net Zero carbon future
• Experiential environmental education for youth
• Sustainable and regenerative farming practices
• Farmland stewardship
• Regional food system infrastructure
• Grassroots leadership development in Pierce County

What They Don't Fund

• Overhead/indirect costs for colleges and universities (though itemized administrative costs directly related to projects may be considered)
• Unsolicited requests for emergency funding
• They "rarely fund 100 percent of a project budget"
• Funding aims to "complement, rather than replace, the public sector"

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

• Sarah Cavanaugh, President
• Chris Rurik, Vice President
• Tim Cavanaugh, Treasurer
• Dion Rurik, Secretary, Grants & Jane's Fellowship Committees Chair
• Sarah Cleveland, Investment & Audit Committee Chair
• Josh Cavanaugh, Board Member
• Mimi Chau, Board Member
• Evlyn Andrade, Board Member (joined 2024) - Executive Director of EarthCorps, passionate advocate for racial equity and environmental justice
• Rashad Morris, Board Member (joined 2024) - Principal and Founder of Impact Donor Strategies with 20+ years in politics, policy, advocacy, and nonprofit governance

Key Staff

• Kathleen Simpson, Chief Executive Officer - Appointed CEO in 2020, guides strategic planning and oversees impact investing
• Britta Francesconi, Grants & Operations Manager
• Fabiola Greenawalt, Senior Program Lead
• Katherine Pace, Director of Finance
• Terrance McGehee, Fellowship Program Lead
• Nicollette Roe, Program Associate
• Alegra Bauder, Administrative Assistant

Leadership Quotes

Kathleen Simpson, CEO: "We reimagined our focus, vision, and values to center on addressing the climate crisis while prioritizing equity, justice, and belonging in all that we do."

Kathleen Simpson on stewardship: "As stewards of our environment, we believe that a healthy planet hinges on our ability address the climate crisis. The Russell Family Foundation is fully committed to engaging with and being a resource for partners to drive towards meaningful change."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Most Programs - Invitation Only: The Russell Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications for most programs including Environmental Education, Food for Climate Solutions, and Catalytic Climate Finance. According to their website, they "proactively identify and engage with potential recipients whose goals align with our mission."

Jane's Fellowship Program - Public Application: This is the only program with a public application process. Applications open in summer/early fall each year with deadlines typically in September. Applications for Class 13 (2026) closed September 14, 2025. Next application cycle opens Summer 2026.

Grant Portal: For invited applicants, the foundation uses an online Grant Portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=russell with video tutorials available on the login page.

Letters of Inquiry: Separate project ideas should be submitted via separate Letters of Inquiry if invited to apply.

Pre-Application Meetings: Not required but optional. Applicants can contact the Grants and Operations Manager with questions.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Deadlines are generally set at 5pm Pacific Time, and the foundation accepts materials after the deadline unless otherwise noted.

Success Rates

The foundation made 124 awards in 2023 and 161 awards in 2022. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available given the invitation-only nature of most programs.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can apply for grants while having an active grant. Multiple applications for separate projects are accepted and should be submitted via separate Letters of Inquiry.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach, key success factors include:

Alignment with Climate Mission: The foundation seeks organizations that are "accountable, aligned with our goals, and have a history of success." Programs that address the climate crisis through practical, community-driven solutions are prioritized.

Multi-Program Alignment: "Programs that cover more than one focus area are also prioritized," according to foundation guidance.

Serving Excluded Communities: The foundation explicitly prioritizes "organizations serving historically excluded communities, given the systemic barriers they face to land access and sustainable farm enterprises."

Show Diverse Funding: The foundation "rarely funds 100 percent of a project budget" and expects applicants to demonstrate other funding sources.

Request Appropriately: "Ask for what you need within the range provided in the grant guidelines" - be realistic and justified in funding requests.

Prefer Unrestricted Support: The foundation prefers "unrestricted grants" that allow organizational flexibility, though they can support general operating expenses, salaries, and programs.

Community-Driven Impact: The foundation values "intentionally stewarding all resources toward collective, community-driven impact" and emphasizes partnerships with local organizations.

Track Record: The foundation looks for organizations with "a history of success" in their work.

Grassroots Approach: For Jane's Fellowship, ideal candidates work "at the grassroots level without formal positional power" and demonstrate "respect for diversity."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only for most programs: Do not submit unsolicited applications except for Jane's Fellowship. Focus on getting on their radar through aligned work in Western Washington climate and environmental sectors.
• Climate crisis is central: All programs now center on addressing climate change - frame your work through this lens if applying.
• Equity is non-negotiable: The foundation prioritizes organizations serving historically excluded communities across all programs.
• Think unrestricted: Request general operating support when possible rather than restrictive project grants.
• Show collaborative funding: Demonstrate other funding sources - they rarely provide 100% of budgets.
• Geographic specificity matters: Environmental Education serves specific counties (Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston, Jefferson, Mason, South King); Jane's Fellowship is Pierce County only; other programs focus on Western Washington.
• Multi-program synergy: If your work spans multiple program areas (e.g., environmental education + food systems), highlight these connections.
• Values alignment: Emphasize integrity, mutual trust, constructive communication, lifelong learning, and courage - the foundation's core values.

References

• The Russell Family Foundation official website: https://trff.org (accessed January 2026)
• The Russell Family Foundation, "Our History": https://trff.org/about/our-story/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Russell Family Foundation, "FAQ For Grantseekers": https://trff.org/grants/faq-for-grantseekers/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Russell Family Foundation, "Our Team": https://trff.org/about/our-people/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Russell Family Foundation, "Environmental Education": https://trff.org/programs/environmental-education/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Russell Family Foundation, "Jane's Fellowship": https://trff.org/programs/janes-fellowship/ (accessed January 2026)
• The Russell Family Foundation, "Catalytic Climate Finance": https://trff.org/catalytic-climate-finance/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, "The Russell Family Foundation" (EIN 91-1663336): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/911663336 (accessed January 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy, "Russell Family Foundation": https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/washington-grants/russell-family-foundation (accessed January 2026)
• PR Newswire, "The Russell Family Foundation Announces $19.5M in Catalytic Climate Finance Grants and Investments" (February 2025)
• PR Newswire, "The Russell Family Foundation Welcomes New Board and Grant Committee Members" (April 2024)
• PR Newswire, "The Russell Family Foundation Announces $3.5M in Climate Grants & Investments" (December 2023)
• PR Newswire, "The Russell Family Foundation Names Kathleen Simpson CEO" (2020)
• Gig Harbor Now, "Gig Harbor-based Russell Family Foundation commits to Net Zero" (2023)