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Raikes Foundation

Annual Giving
$21.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $2.0M

Raikes Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21.1 million (2023)
  • Total Given Since Inception: $201 million
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,000,000 (majority under $500,000)
  • Average Grant Size: $85,610
  • Assets: $90.4 million
  • Geographic Focus: National with significant focus on Washington State
  • Application Type: Invitation-only (does not accept unsolicited proposals)

Contact Details

Address: 2157 N. Northlake Way, Suite 220, Seattle, WA 98103

Phone: (206) 801-9500

Email:

Website: https://www.raikesfoundation.org

Visitor Information: Complimentary parking available along N. Northlake Way. Dial 220 on the directory phone at the front door to be greeted by foundation staff. Suite is located on the second floor.

Overview

The Raikes Foundation was established in 2002 by Jeff and Tricia Raikes, who met while working at Microsoft in the early 1980s. Jeff later served as CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation before focusing on their own philanthropic work. Since its founding, the foundation has distributed over $201 million toward building "a fair and just society where all young people have the support they need to achieve their full potential." With current assets of $90.4 million and annual giving of approximately $21 million (247 awards in 2023), the foundation employs a proactive, invitation-only funding approach that emphasizes systems-level change, collaboration, and centering the voices of young people and communities with lived experience. In 2023, the foundation received the "Changing Course" Impact Award from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, and co-founder Tricia Raikes was named among the 50 Most Powerful Women in Philanthropy and Education Funder of the Year by Inside Philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Raikes Foundation makes grants in four core areas:

1. Education ($20 million annually overseen by portfolio leadership)

  • Supports K-12 and post-secondary public education systems
  • Works with youth, educators, and policymakers to "reimagine and redesign our public education system"
  • Focus on ensuring all young people have excellent education regardless of background
  • Past grantees include: National Public Education Support Fund, New Schools Fund, Education Leaders of Color, East Harlem Tutorial Program, Student Experience Project
  • The foundation has catalyzed $322 million in funding toward equitable education systems since 2016

2. Housing Stability for Youth

  • Addresses youth and young adult homelessness through prevention and response services
  • More than half of funding stays in Washington State
  • Four focus areas:
    • Preventing youth homelessness (transitions from foster care, behavioral health, youth justice)
    • School partnerships for housing placement
    • Immediate access to stable housing
    • Youth advocacy and policy education
  • Key initiative: HOPE (Housing Our People Equity) Initiative - learns from and partners with young people with lived experience in grantmaking and leadership development
  • Grantee partners include: A Way Home Washington, Building Changes, Community Solutions, National Center for Youth Law, SchoolHouse Connection, Education Leads Home
  • Achievement: 40% reduction in unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness in Washington State (2016-2022)

3. Resourcing Equity & Democracy

  • Newest portfolio launched in 2023
  • Supports organizations building "a thriving, multiracial democracy"
  • Focuses on building lasting civic power in historically marginalized communities
  • Invests in organizations working year-round with community-rooted approaches
  • Multi-year support and state alignment tables that coordinate across organizations
  • 2025 state grantees: Washington Power Building Table, Michigan Alignment Table, Carolina Federation Fund, Somos Siembra, We Are Down Home
  • National partners include: Alliance for Youth Organizing, Black Voters Matter, Center for Popular Democracy, Equality Federation, Faith in Action, and 13 others

4. Impact-Driven Philanthropy

  • Supports individual donors in distributing more money with fewer restrictions
  • Prioritizes organizations serving and led by underrepresented groups
  • 86% of grant dollars distributed to organizations led by people of color through this initiative
  • Grantees include: National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Donors of Color Network, Solidaire, Center for Effective Philanthropy, Philanthropy Northwest
  • Incubated and launched Giving Compass to connect donors to resources for effective giving

Note: Grant awards include both direct Raikes Foundation funding and funding via the Raikes Foundation Donor Advised Fund hosted by Seattle Foundation.

Priority Areas

  • Systems-level change rather than individual programs
  • Youth voice and lived experience centered in all work
  • Racial equity and dismantling structural inequity
  • Multi-sector collaboration and coalition-building
  • Community agency and community-rooted solutions
  • Organizations led by people of color and marginalized communities
  • Evidence-based approaches with data to support impact claims

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Governance and Leadership

Co-Founders & Trustees:

  • Jeff Raikes: Co-founder and Trustee; former President of Microsoft's business division and former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; currently serves as Chair of the Stanford University Board of Trustees
  • Tricia Raikes: Co-founder and Trustee; named among 50 Most Powerful Women in Philanthropy (Inside Philanthropy); stated: "We believe it's possible and necessary to shift attention (and dollars) away from fear and divisiveness and toward shared values and collective aspirations."

Executive Leadership:

  • Dr. Zoë Stemm-Calderon: Incoming Executive Director (assumes role January 1, 2026); previously Senior Director of Youth Serving Systems at the foundation, overseeing $20 million in annual investments; former Assistant Superintendent at Houston ISD; Gates Foundation Fellow; doctorate in education leadership from Harvard University; with the foundation since 2015

Senior Leadership Team:

  • Maria De La Cruz: Senior Director, Resourcing Equity & Democracy Portfolio
  • Gini Pupo-Walker: Director, National Education Strategy (oversees K-12 and post-secondary public education efforts)
  • Stephanie Gillis: Director, Impact Driven Philanthropy Initiative
  • Yesenia Garcia: Senior Director, Communications
  • Lindsay Hill: Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (foundation's first DEI director)

Foundation Philosophy (from leadership): Jeff and Tricia Raikes emphasize: "Together, we can achieve lasting change" through collaboration and system-level approaches. The foundation believes that "when we work together and center the voices of young people, we can build a fair society for all."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Raikes Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation employs an invitation-only grant application process and does not accept unsolicited proposals. They make the majority of their grants to organizations they have proactively identified and invited to apply.

Grant awards are made on a rolling basis throughout the year as the foundation identifies organizations aligned with their strategic priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

According to Inside Philanthropy's research on the foundation, organizations seeking to be noticed by the Raikes Foundation should focus on:

1. Network with Current Stakeholders

  • Build relationships with foundation staff through sector events and conferences
  • Connect with past grantees who can provide introductions or referrals
  • Leverage current funder relationships - ask existing foundation supporters to provide warm introductions

2. Build Visibility and Credibility

  • Develop a strong media presence showcasing your work
  • Ensure your organization has robust data and evidence backing impact claims
  • Demonstrate expertise in systems-level change approaches
  • Highlight leadership by people of color or those with lived experience

3. Align with Foundation Values

  • Show commitment to centering youth voice and lived experience
  • Demonstrate collaborative approaches with multi-sector partners
  • Focus on dismantling root causes of inequity, not just symptoms
  • Emphasize community-rooted solutions and community agency

4. Geographic Considerations

  • While the foundation funds nationally, a significant portion stays in Washington State
  • Organizations working in Washington, Michigan, and North Carolina may have additional opportunities through state alignment tables

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder with a proactive approach, timelines vary based on when the foundation identifies and approaches potential grantees. The foundation made 247 awards in 2023 and 289 awards in 2022, suggesting regular grantmaking throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The invitation-only model means traditional success rates are not applicable.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only model. The foundation maintains ongoing relationships with grantees and determines funding on a case-by-case basis aligned with strategic priorities.

Application Success Factors

Because the Raikes Foundation uses an invitation-only model, traditional application success factors differ from open-application funders. Based on the foundation's documented priorities and funded organizations, key alignment factors include:

1. Systems-Level Approach The foundation explicitly states they focus on "improving systems that serve young people, not limiting their focus to specific programs or organizations." They seek "high-leverage opportunities for impact where private philanthropy can play a catalytic role." Organizations should demonstrate how their work changes systems, not just serves individuals.

2. Centering Lived Experience The foundation uses "scientific research and data to inform their work while also proactively seeking out the insights and expertise of people with lived experience from the communities they serve, especially young people." The HOPE Initiative exemplifies this by learning from young people with lived experience of homelessness and partnering with them in grantmaking and leadership development. Organizations that embed lived experience expertise in leadership and program design align with this value.

3. Collaborative and Multi-Sector Approaches The foundation believes "systems-level change doesn't happen without collaboration and deep engagement with the communities the systems serve." They invest in state alignment tables that coordinate across organizations and support year-round community-rooted work rather than short-term campaigns. Demonstrate partnerships and coalition participation.

4. Leadership by People of Color Through their Impact-Driven Philanthropy initiative, 86% of grant dollars go to organizations led by people of color. This reflects a clear priority for supporting and resourcing leaders from marginalized communities.

5. Evidence and Data Inside Philanthropy notes that organizations must "provide data that backs your claims." The foundation values both quantitative evidence and qualitative insights from communities. Be prepared to demonstrate measurable impact.

6. Focus on Root Causes The foundation supports organizations working to "dismantle the root causes of inequity and transform the systems that created them." Surface-level interventions are less likely to align than work addressing structural barriers.

7. Youth-Centered All four portfolio areas ultimately connect to supporting young people. The foundation's mission is building "a fair society for all" with specific focus on ensuring "all young people have the support they need to achieve their full potential."

Recent Funded Examples:

  • Democracy Work: Washington Power Building Table (partnership of six community-based organizations: Firelands, OneAmerica, Latino Community Fund, The Washington Bus, Washington Community Action Network, Working Washington)
  • Education: Student Experience Project (equity-centered approaches in post-secondary education)
  • Philanthropy: Donors of Color Network, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
  • Youth Homelessness: A Way Home Washington, Building Changes, SchoolHouse Connection

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: You cannot submit an unsolicited proposal. Focus on building visibility, credibility, and relationships to get on their radar
  • Systems over programs: The foundation funds systems-level change, not individual programs. Frame your work in terms of how it transforms systems serving young people
  • Center lived experience: Organizations that embed youth voice and lived experience expertise - particularly from young people of color and LGBTQ+ youth - align strongly with foundation values
  • Be collaborative: Demonstrate multi-sector partnerships, coalition participation, or coordination with other organizations. The foundation values collective impact over isolated interventions
  • Evidence matters: Have robust data and research backing your impact claims. The foundation balances scientific evidence with community knowledge
  • Leadership representation: Organizations led by people of color receive the majority of funding. Leadership diversity is a strong alignment factor
  • Geographic focus: While the foundation funds nationally, Washington State receives significant attention, with emerging focus on Michigan and North Carolina through democracy work
  • Multi-year relationships: The foundation appears to build long-term partnerships with grantees rather than one-off grants. Position your organization for sustained collaboration
  • Media presence helps: According to Inside Philanthropy, having visibility through media coverage and thought leadership increases chances of being noticed
  • Think big: With grants ranging up to $2 million and an average of $85,610, the foundation supports substantial initiatives. Don't undersell your systems-change vision

References

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