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Keller Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.8M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M

Keller Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $765,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $90.7 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $50,000
  • Average Number of Grants: 30 per year
  • Geographic Focus: Washington and Oregon (primary)
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 1701 SE Columbia River Drive, Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98661

Website: kellerfdn.org

Note: Specific phone and email contact information is not publicly available. Inquiries can be made through their website.

Overview

The Keller Foundation was established in 1997 from the estate of Richard and Ruthie Keller as a 501(c)(3) private foundation. Over its 28-year history, the foundation has awarded 708 grants totaling $9.7 million to nonprofit organizations. The foundation's mission is to "enrich the quality of life in Washington, Oregon, and other regions meaningful to the family by partnering with nonprofits in Education, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, and Children & Youth to support the long-term growth of their programs." With total assets of $90.7 million as of 2023, the foundation experienced exceptional growth that year with $86.2 million in revenue, primarily from a significant $72.9 million contribution. The foundation focuses on building thoughtful, long-term partnerships with nonprofits that need support most, with special attention to communities around the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Impact Grants: Multi-year grants (preference for three-year commitments) constituting 5%-50% of a program's budget. These grants help grantees plan for funding support long-term and are designed to support sustainable program growth.
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $50,000, with a median grant of $20,000
  • Annual Distribution: Approximately 30 grants per year totaling around $710,000-$765,000

Priority Areas

The foundation partners with nonprofits in four key sectors:

  • Education: Supporting educational programs and institutions
  • Health & Human Services: Funding health and social service programs
  • Arts & Culture: Supporting cultural enrichment programs
  • Children & Youth: Programs serving young people, with particular emphasis on children and families in vulnerable circumstances

Geographic Priority: Washington and Oregon are the foundation's home states and receive primary attention, with special interest in programs serving communities around the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's invitation-only model suggests a focused approach to grantmaking within their priority sectors and geographic areas.

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership (as of 2023):

  • Gary W. Stachlowski - President/Director and Board Chair (compensation: $9,500)
  • Peter F. Bechen - Vice President/Director (compensation: $6,300)
  • Kevin C. Kuch - Executive Director/Treasurer (compensation: $16,000)

Gary Stachlowski has emphasized the foundation's commitment to "supporting outstanding nonprofits in our community" and expanding efforts through "thoughtful partnerships."

The foundation operates with minimal overhead, maintaining low administrative costs relative to its asset base. Total employee salaries and benefits were approximately $30,300 in recent years, demonstrating an efficient operational model.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grant applications are by invitation only. However, the foundation may review inquiries from nonprofits working in their designated sectors (Education, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, and Children & Youth) who believe their organization aligns with Keller Foundation values.

Organizations interested in being considered should:

  1. Review the foundation's mission and priorities on their website (kellerfdn.org)
  2. Contact the foundation directly if there is strong alignment with their focus areas
  3. Be prepared to demonstrate how their program serves communities in Washington and Oregon

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, with the board identifying organizations that align with the foundation's mission and the legacy of Richard and Ruthie Keller.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has expressed interest in:

  • Geographic connection to Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy: Programs serving children and families in this community area appear to be of particular interest to the foundation.
  • Long-term partnership potential: The foundation prefers multi-year Impact Grants, suggesting they value sustained relationships with grantees rather than one-time funding.
  • Collaborative opportunities: The foundation mentions interest in leveraging resources of other funders and working with others to collaborate or influence change.

Organizations may increase their visibility by:

  • Operating established programs in Washington and Oregon with demonstrated impact
  • Working in communities that were meaningful to the Keller family
  • Demonstrating capacity for multi-year partnerships where funding represents 5%-50% of program budget

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. As an invitation-only foundation with a small board and low administrative overhead, decision-making likely occurs through regular board meetings throughout the year.

Success Rates

With approximately 30 grants awarded annually from an invitation-only pool, success rates for unsolicited inquiries are not documented. The foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking over 28 years, suggesting stable and predictable grant cycles.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's preference for three-year Impact Grants suggests they maintain ongoing relationships with grantees rather than requiring annual reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of this foundation, organizations seeking funding should consider:

  • Geographic alignment: Strong connection to Washington and Oregon, particularly communities around the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy
  • Sector fit: Clear alignment with one or more of their four priority areas (Education, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, Children & Youth)
  • Long-term program sustainability: Ability to accept multi-year funding that represents 5%-50% of program budget
  • Program maturity: The foundation's focus on "supporting the long-term growth of programs" suggests preference for established organizations with track records
  • Community enrichment: Programs that demonstrably "enrich the quality of life" in their communities
  • Partnership readiness: Capacity and willingness to engage in "thoughtful partnerships" with the foundation
  • Alignment with founders' values: Connection to causes and communities that were meaningful to Richard and Ruthie Keller

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: Do not submit unsolicited full applications; inquiries from aligned organizations may be reviewed
  • Multi-year commitment: The foundation prefers three-year Impact Grants, indicating they seek sustainable partnerships rather than one-time grants
  • Geographic priority: Washington and Oregon organizations, especially those serving communities around Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy, are preferred
  • Grant size consistency: Expect grants in the $2,500-$50,000 range with $20,000 being typical
  • Modest annual program: With only ~30 grants per year, competition for the small number of available slots is likely significant
  • Low overhead foundation: Small staff and board suggest streamlined decision-making but limited capacity to review large volumes of inquiries
  • Recent growth: The foundation's dramatic asset growth in 2023 (from ~$5 million to $90.7 million) may signal potential for expanded grantmaking in future years

References

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