Laird Norton Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.3 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Seattle/Pacific Northwest region

Contact Details

• Website: www.lairdnorton.org
• Phone: 206.464.5245
• Email: lnffstaff@lairdnorton.org
• Address: 801 2nd Avenue, Suite 1700, Seattle, WA 98104

Overview

The Laird Norton Family Foundation (LNFF) is a private family foundation established in 1992 and based in Seattle, Washington. With total assets of approximately $45.8 million and annual charitable disbursements of $2.3 million (2024), the foundation serves as a vehicle for the Laird Norton family's philanthropic activities. The foundation's mission is to "honor and reflect the family's shared values through giving" while strengthening connections among the eighth-generation family's 500+ living members worldwide. The foundation operates through Fund Advisory Committees comprised of family members, with professional staff supporting grantmaking efforts and maintaining community relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Arts in Education: Supporting arts education initiatives (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Climate Change: Environmental and climate action programs (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Human Services: Social service organizations (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Watershed Stewardship: Environmental conservation focused on watersheds (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Sapling Fund: Youth grantmaking program engaging younger family members (specific amounts not disclosed)

Priority Areas

• Organizations aligned with family members' shared interests
• Local and regional nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest
• Long-term funding relationships preferred over one-time grants
• Community-based organizations with demonstrated impact

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Scholarships
• Endowments
• Capital campaigns
• For-profit organizations
• Unincorporated associations
• International organizations
• Religious institutions (for religious purposes)
• Publications, documentaries, or media projects

Governance and Leadership

Managing Director: Katie Briggs Current Board Chair: Lindsay Hall Previous Board Chair: David Kane Program Officer: Cadence Miller Program Associate: Karyn McKelvey

The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of Laird Norton family members who approve grant recommendations made by Fund Advisory Committees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states they "do not accept unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry." Grants are made through pre-established relationships and at the invitation of the foundation. Organizations may send a brief email description to lnffstaff@lairdnorton.org, but the foundation notes they rarely make grants from initial email inquiries and will only respond if interested in learning more.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed - decisions are made by family member committees and approved by the Board of Directors on an ongoing basis.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation works through established relationships and does not have an open application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's closed application process, success factors focus on relationship building:

• The foundation explicitly states they have "limited capacity to explore new grant partners annually"
• They "prefer longer-term funding relationships" over one-time grants
• Fund Advisory Committees led by family members drive grant recommendations
• Professional staff maintain community relationships and support grantmaking
• Alignment with the foundation's five specific program areas is essential
• Organizations must be properly incorporated nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder with no open application process
• Email inquiries are accepted but rarely result in grants
• Focus is on long-term partnerships rather than one-time support
• Strong preference for Pacific Northwest organizations
• Family member involvement is central to all grant decisions
• Annual giving of approximately $1.5-2.3 million suggests moderate-sized grants
• Best approach is through existing relationships or connections with board members

References

• Laird Norton Family Foundation official website (www.lairdnorton.org), accessed January 2026
• GuideStar Profile for Laird Norton Endowment Foundation (EIN 91-6339917), accessed January 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Laird Norton Family Foundation 2024 Filing, accessed January 2026
• Foundation "How We Work" page (www.lairdnorton.org/how-we-work), accessed January 2026