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The Norcliffe Foundation

Annual Giving
$23.5M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.6M
Decision Time
4mo

The Norcliffe Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $23,470,065 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (receives 400+ requests, awards 500-800+ grants annually)
  • Decision Time: Typically 4 months from complete application
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,636,970 (60% of grants are $15,000 or less)
  • Geographic Focus: 11-county Puget Sound region of Washington State
  • Application Method: Rolling basis, no deadlines
  • Registered Charity Number: 91-6029352

Contact Details

Address: 600 University Street, Suite 2003, Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: (206) 682-4820

Website: www.norcliffefoundation.org

Application Portal: E-Grant System (accessed through website)

Pre-Application Support: Foundation staff are responsive and welcome calls to discuss project ideas and application details

Overview

The Norcliffe Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1952 by Paul Pigott, president of the Pacific Car and Foundry Company. After Paul's death, his wife Theiline Pigott McCone led the foundation for decades, and it continues to be managed by succeeding generations of the Pigott family. With assets of approximately $20.4 million, the foundation distributes over $23 million annually through 500-800+ grants, making it one of the more active funders in the Puget Sound region. The foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for all people in the Puget Sound community, supporting nonprofits across five key areas: Arts & Culture, Civic & Community, Education, Healthcare & Research, and Human & Social Services. The foundation takes a collaborative approach to philanthropy, preferring to join communities of funders rather than serve as a lead donor.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Norcliffe Foundation operates two application tracks:

  • Standard Application: For requests of $50,000 or less (submitted through general E-Grant System access)
  • Special Application: For requests over $50,000 (requires password - contact foundation for access)

Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis with no calendar deadlines. Trustees meet throughout the year and consider completed applications in the order they were received.

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture: Supporting cultural institutions, arts programs, and cultural access throughout the Puget Sound region.

Civic & Community: Funding civic engagement projects, community development, and environmental initiatives that strengthen communities.

Education: Supporting educational institutions, programs, and initiatives from K-12 through higher education.

Healthcare & Research: Funding medical research, healthcare access, and health-related programs. Major recent support includes Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Foundation ($2.1M for neurosciences, autism, and mental health initiatives).

Human & Social Services: Supporting basic needs services, social programs, and organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Types of Support

  • Capital and Infrastructure projects
  • General Operating support
  • Program Support
  • Capacity Building
  • Challenge or Matching Grants (occasional multi-year gifts, though not typical)

Geographic Focus

The foundation serves 11 counties in the Puget Sound region of Washington State: Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom.

What They Don't Fund

  • Deficit financing or debt reduction
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Organizations operating outside the 11-county Puget Sound region

Capital Campaign Guidelines

For capital campaigns specifically, the foundation will consider requests up to 10% of the campaign's private philanthropic goal. The foundation prefers not to be relied upon as a lead donor and emphasizes joining a community of funders.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

  • Lisa Anderson, President - Also serves as President of the Moccasin Lake Foundation and on the Leadership Council for Conservation International
  • Susan W. Pohl, Vice President
  • James C. Pigott, Treasurer
  • Jennifer Beatty, Secretary

Board of Trustees

  • Ann P. Wyckoff (granddaughter of PACCAR founder William Pigott)
  • Charles M. Pigott
  • David Wright
  • James C. Hughes
  • John Pigott
  • Lauren Wyckoff
  • Mary Pigott
  • Jeff Wright (Director)

The foundation operates as a family foundation with decisions made by trustees based on their personal interests as well as the overall portfolio of requests at any given time.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Take the Eligibility Quiz: Before applying, organizations are encouraged to complete the online eligibility quiz on the foundation's website to confirm they meet basic requirements.

  2. Review Guidelines and FAQs: Thoroughly review the foundation's guidelines and FAQs to understand priorities and requirements.

  3. Preview Sample Application: The foundation provides sample application questions on their website to help organizations prepare.

  4. Create an E-Grant Account: Access the E-Grant System through the foundation's website at www.norcliffefoundation.org.

  5. Complete Online Application: All applications must be submitted through the E-Grant System. The foundation does not accept paper applications or letters of inquiry.

  6. Upload Fundraising Plan: Include a fundraising plan for your organization or specific project.

  7. Submit Application: Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis with no deadlines.

Required Documentation

  • Complete online application through E-Grant System
  • Fundraising plan for the organization or project
  • Organizations with fiscal sponsors must provide a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor agreement

Decision Timeline

  • Review Process: Trustees consider completed applications in the order received
  • Decision Timeframe: Typically within 4 months of receiving a complete application
  • Site Visits: May be scheduled for some applications
  • Notification: Applicants are notified of decisions through the E-Grant System

Success Rates

The foundation receives over 400 requests each year and makes between 500-800+ grants annually (806 in 2023, 588 in 2022, 519 in 2021). While specific approval percentages are not publicly disclosed, the high number of grants relative to applications suggests a reasonable success rate. However, nonprofits report that grants are often awarded at lower levels than requested, so organizations should plan accordingly.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has specific waiting periods based on previous outcomes:

  • After Denial: Wait 12 months from the decision date before reapplying
  • After Standard Application Grant: Wait 24 months from the final payment before reapplying
  • After Special Application Grant: Wait 4 years from the final payment before reapplying

Important Note: Organizations must submit a full proposal each time, even for repeat funding requests. Previous funding does not guarantee future support.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Based on the foundation's stated criteria, trustees give preference to requests that:

  1. Meet Critical Needs: Demonstrate clear community need and impact
  2. Employ Innovative and Effective Approaches: Show creative solutions and proven effectiveness
  3. Fill a Unique Niche: Provide services or programs not readily available elsewhere in the community
  4. Have a Diverse Funding Base: Demonstrate financial sustainability with multiple funding sources

Insights from Grantees

Nonprofits who have worked with the foundation report several key success factors:

Engage with Foundation Staff: The foundation manager is described as "very responsive and helpful, willing to talk about different project ideas and the details of what to include in your materials, and is supportive of helping to hone the idea." Organizations are explicitly encouraged to call with questions before applying.

Request Partial Project Funding: Grantees note that "the foundation likes to fund projects, specifically not the majority of the project cost." This suggests requesting a portion of project costs rather than the entire amount needed.

Build Relationships Over Time: Some nonprofits noted "it can be difficult to get 'in' but once you're established, you receive much more responsiveness and support." First-time applicants should be patient and persistent.

Be Prepared for Adjusted Awards: Multiple grantees reported "never having a proposal funded at the requested level," suggesting organizations should factor potential reductions into their planning and demonstrate flexibility.

Join a Community of Funders: The foundation explicitly prefers to "join a community of funders" rather than serve as a sole or lead funder. Applications should demonstrate other committed or potential funding partners.

Understand Trustee Interests: "Proposals are evaluated on trustees' personal interests as well as what the entire portfolio of requests is at any given time." Research the foundation's recent grants to understand current priorities and patterns.

Consider Organizational History: The foundation also "considers the organization's philanthropic history," suggesting that demonstrated track record matters.

Capital Campaign Specific Guidance

For capital campaigns, remember:

  • Maximum funding is typically 10% of the private philanthropic goal
  • Do not position Norcliffe as a lead donor
  • Demonstrate diverse fundraising support

Application Quality

  • Submit complete applications - incomplete applications slow the review process
  • Be clear and specific about project goals and impact
  • Include detailed budget information
  • Demonstrate community need and your organization's unique capacity to address it

Post-Award Relationship

The foundation has no formal reporting requirements but appreciates informal updates via email or the contact page on their website. One grantee praised this approach: "I wish more funders did this!" The foundation also discourages thank-you gifts, preferring that organizations spend their funding on programs instead.

Recent Grant Examples

Major 2023 Grants

  • Friends of Waterfront Seattle - $2,636,970 for Campaign for Waterfront Park
  • Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Foundation - $2,100,000 for "It Starts with Yes: Neurosciences Autism and Mental Health"
  • Western Washington University Foundation - $2,000,000 for Building Washington's Future Campaign (Bellingham)
  • Fulcrum Foundation - $1,100,000 for School Partnerships Program (Seattle)
  • Cascade Public Media - Funding for A New Home for Cascade Public Media (Seattle)

These examples demonstrate the foundation's range from major capital campaigns to program support, and their willingness to make transformational gifts while also maintaining a large portfolio of smaller grants (60% under $15,000).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Contact Staff Early: The foundation's staff are welcoming and helpful. Call (206) 682-4820 to discuss your project idea before applying - they can help you refine your approach and understand whether your request aligns with current priorities.

  2. Timing is Flexible: With rolling applications and no deadlines, you can apply when your organization is ready. Applications are reviewed in order received, typically within 4 months.

  3. Think Partnership, Not Lead Donor: Position your request as part of a diverse funding strategy. Show other funders (committed or prospective) and emphasize how Norcliffe's support complements other resources.

  4. Right-Size Your Request: With 60% of grants at $15,000 or less, don't assume bigger is better. Consider requesting partial project funding that represents 10% or less of total project costs, particularly for capital campaigns.

  5. Plan for Adjustment: Grantees report frequently receiving less than requested. Build flexibility into your project plans and budgets to accommodate potential reductions while still achieving meaningful impact.

  6. Location Matters Absolutely: You must serve the 11-county Puget Sound region. This is a hard requirement - organizations outside this area are not eligible.

  7. Build Long-Term Relationships: First-time applicants may face more challenges, but the foundation values ongoing relationships. Even if your first application is unsuccessful, maintain contact and reapply after the appropriate waiting period.

  8. Demonstrate Unique Value: Show how your organization fills a specific niche or addresses a need that isn't being met elsewhere. Innovation and effectiveness matter to trustees.

References

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