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Tew Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $3.2M

Tew Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.0 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A (Invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Trustee discretion
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,195,000
  • Geographic Focus: Washington (primarily Seattle), with some Tennessee and Pennsylvania

Contact Details

Address: 1809 7th Ave, Suite 409, Seattle, WA 98101-1341
Phone: 206-487-4300
Website: None
Email: Not available
EIN: 91-1817398

Overview

The Tew Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1998 by the late T. Evans Wyckoff (1925-1999) and his wife Ann Pigott Wyckoff (1927-2026). With assets of $22.78 million, the foundation distributes approximately $3 million annually in grants to preselected charitable organizations. Named using T. Evans Wyckoff's initials, TEW Foundation represents the philanthropic legacy of one of Seattle's prominent business and civic families. The foundation operates as an invitation-only grantmaker, focusing on education, arts and culture, environment, religion, and human services primarily in the Seattle area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific programs but makes discretionary grants ranging from $5,000 to over $3 million based on trustee decisions.

Priority Areas

  • Education: Elementary through university level institutions
  • Arts and Culture: Museums, performing arts, cultural institutions
  • Environment: Conservation and environmental protection
  • Religion: Christian and Catholic organizations
  • Human Services: Social service organizations
  • Philanthropy: Support for grantmaking and volunteerism

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and only funds preselected charitable organizations chosen by the board of trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • President: Sheila Wyckoff Dickey
  • Vice President: Susan Pohl
  • Secretary: Daniel M. Asher
  • Directors: Martha Wyckoff, Alison Milliman

The foundation is governed entirely by Wyckoff family members and close associates. All officers serve without compensation, maintaining the foundation's character as a family philanthropic vehicle. The late Ann Pigott Wyckoff, who passed away on January 1, 2026, was a prominent Seattle philanthropist who supported major institutions including Seattle University, Seattle Art Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Tew Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations they have identified and chosen to support.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's invitation-only status and lack of public information about specific networking opportunities, organizations cannot directly apply. The foundation's giving patterns suggest they support:

  • Organizations where family members have board involvement or personal connections
  • Major Seattle cultural and educational institutions
  • Organizations aligned with the Wyckoff family's longstanding philanthropic interests
  • Established nonprofits with strong reputations in their priority areas

Decision Timeline

Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the board throughout the year, with no public timeline available.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only.

Application Success Factors

Since the Tew Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, analysis of their giving patterns shows they favor:

  • Established institutions: Major universities, museums, and cultural organizations
  • Geographic alignment: Strong preference for Seattle-area organizations
  • Mission alignment: Clear connection to education, arts, environment, or faith-based work
  • Scale and impact: Both small ($5,000) and very large ($3+ million) grants, suggesting they support both community organizations and major capital campaigns
  • Long-term relationships: Pattern suggests ongoing support for select organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Tew Foundation is strictly invitation-only with no public application process
  • With $3 million in annual giving and grants ranging from $5,000 to over $3 million, they are a significant funder in the Seattle philanthropic landscape
  • Focus areas include education, arts, environment, religion, and human services
  • Strong geographic preference for Washington state, particularly Seattle area
  • Family foundation structure means personal relationships and trustee connections are essential
  • Organizations cannot directly apply but may benefit from understanding the foundation's priorities when engaging with Seattle philanthropic networks
  • The passing of Ann Pigott Wyckoff in 2026 may lead to strategic changes in the foundation's giving

References

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