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Apex Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.1M
000

Apex Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,116,422 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 192 (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: $30,891
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified (invitation-only)
  • Assets: $127 million (approximate)
  • Geographic Focus: National (focuses on multiple states including California, Texas, Washington)
  • Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 245, Bellevue, WA 98009-0245
Phone: 425-460-2500
Website: www.theapexfoundation.org
Email: info@theapexfoundation.org

Overview

The Apex Foundation was established in 1999 in Bellevue, Washington, as the family foundation of Bruce and Jolene McCaw. With assets totaling approximately $127 million, the foundation distributed over $6.1 million in grants during 2023 across 192 awards. The foundation's mission is to make the world a better place by investing in organizations and programs that improve lives, strengthen communities, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential. Bruce and Jolene McCaw serve as co-chairs of Apex, which has been described as the seventh largest foundation in Washington state according to the Foundation Center. The foundation focuses particularly on helping people in poverty or with disabilities. The McCaw family received Seattle's First Citizens Award in 2004, recognizing their contributions to the community.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Apex Foundation focuses on funding initiatives across several key sectors:

  • Arts and Culture: Including performing arts organizations
  • Education: Particularly early childhood development and educational research
  • Health: Including support for medical research and health-related organizations
  • Diseases and Conditions: Programs addressing specific health conditions
  • Poverty Alleviation: Programs helping people living in poverty
  • Disability Services: Programs supporting individuals with disabilities

Geographic Reach

The foundation supports organizations across the United States, including major urban centers like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities. It operates in numerous states, with particular emphasis on California, Texas, and Washington.

Notable Past Initiative

The foundation created and fully funded the Talaris Research Institute (founded in 2000), a pioneering nonprofit focused on childhood development research. Talaris sought to bridge the gap between what scientists know about early childhood development and what parents practice. The institute was later sold to Teaching Strategies in 2012.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly specify exclusions, but their invitation-only model means they only fund organizations they have identified as aligned with their strategic priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Principal Officer/President: Craig Stewart

Co-Chairs: Bruce R. McCaw (Vice President) and Jolene M. McCaw (Vice President)

Bruce McCaw is a telecommunications entrepreneur and member of the McCaw family known for their significant business and philanthropic activities in the Seattle area. He currently serves as a board member of the Seattle Opera, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. Bruce and Jolene have three children and are deeply committed to community impact through strategic philanthropy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Apex Foundation explicitly does not consider unsolicited proposals. Instead, the foundation internally identifies and develops priorities, projects, and initiatives and then proactively seeks out appropriate organizations that can best implement them. This is a trustee-driven, invitation-only grant-making model.

Organizations cannot apply directly to this foundation. The foundation initiates contact with organizations that align with their strategic priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation does not provide specific guidance on how organizations can get on their radar. Given the private nature of their grant-making approach, potential pathways may include:

  • Sector Leadership: The foundation appears to identify organizations through their reputation and leadership in fields aligned with foundation priorities (arts, education, health, poverty alleviation, disability services)
  • Board and Staff Networks: As Bruce McCaw serves on boards of major organizations including Seattle Opera and national institutions, the foundation likely becomes aware of organizations through these professional networks
  • Regional Presence: With Washington state roots, organizations with strong track records in the Pacific Northwest or national reach may be more visible to the foundation
  • Direct Inquiry: Organizations may contact info@theapexfoundation.org for inquiries, though this does not constitute an application process

The foundation requests that current grantees and partners contact Foundation staff directly with questions regarding public recognition of Foundation grants, indicating they manage relationships with existing grantees carefully.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only model, the foundation operates on its own internal timeline for identifying priorities and reaching out to potential grantee organizations.

Success Rates

With 192 grants awarded in 2023 from an invitation-only process, success rates are not applicable in the traditional sense, as organizations do not submit competitive applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications or unsolicited proposals.

Application Success Factors

Since the Apex Foundation operates an invitation-only model, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that align with the following characteristics may be more likely to be identified by the foundation:

  • Mission Alignment: Strong alignment with foundation priorities in arts and culture, education (especially early childhood), health, poverty alleviation, or disability services
  • Proven Track Record: The foundation appears to seek established organizations with demonstrated capacity to implement programs effectively
  • Innovation in Service Delivery: The foundation's history of creating Talaris Research Institute suggests interest in innovative approaches that bridge research and practice
  • Community Impact: Focus on programs that improve lives, strengthen communities, and empower individuals - language that directly reflects the foundation's mission
  • National or Regional Significance: Support across multiple states suggests interest in organizations with broader reach or replicable models
  • Implementation Capacity: The foundation seeks organizations that can "best implement" their identified priorities, suggesting emphasis on operational excellence

The foundation notes it is "not affiliated with the Gupta Family Foundation," indicating they have needed to distinguish themselves, so organizations should ensure they are contacting the correct foundation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Model: You cannot apply to this foundation - they must reach out to you. Focus on building your organization's visibility and reputation in your field rather than preparing an application
  • Strategic Alignment: The foundation focuses on arts and culture, education, health, poverty, and disabilities. Demonstrating strong outcomes in these areas may increase your organization's profile
  • Average Grant Size: With an average grant of approximately $30,891 across 192 grants in 2023, the foundation makes numerous smaller to mid-size grants rather than a few large awards
  • Family Foundation Character: As the McCaw family foundation, grant-making decisions appear to be driven by the family's values and interests, particularly in poverty alleviation and disability services
  • Limited Public Information: The foundation maintains a low public profile and does not extensively publicize its grant-making activities or recipients
  • Regional Connection: While they fund nationally, their Washington state base and the McCaw family's Seattle connections may create opportunities for Pacific Northwest organizations to gain visibility
  • No Unsolicited Contact Recommended: Respect the foundation's clear statement that they do not consider unsolicited proposals - unsolicited applications will not be reviewed

References

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