Giles W & Elise G Mead Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1-10 million (varies by year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 5-6 months (from LOI to decision)
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $100,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, Northern CA, AK)

Contact Details

• Website: http://www.gileswmeadfoundation.org
• Phone: 206-452-1425
• Email: meadgroup@seattlebank.com
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1728, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Overview

The Giles W. and Elise G. Mead Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1961 with assets of approximately $19.9 million. Founded by the family of Giles W. Mead Jr., a distinguished Harvard ichthyologist and former director of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the foundation reflects his scientific legacy through its environmental focus. The foundation provides targeted grant support primarily for environmental conservation in the Pacific Northwest and medical research related to endocrine disorders. Annual giving varies significantly, ranging from $1 million to $10 million depending on the year, with 3-18 grants awarded annually. As a family foundation with limited accessibility, it operates primarily through relationships with preselected organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with two annual funding cycles:

• Typical grants: $50,000 - $100,000
• Application via Letter of Interest, followed by invitation-only full proposal
• Board meetings in May and October determine funding decisions

Priority Areas

Environmental Conservation (Primary Focus)

• Forestry, fisheries, and sustainable use of natural resources
• Geographic restriction: Western North America (Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska)

Medical/Scientific Research

• The endocrine system, particularly diabetes and its complications
• Scientific and medical research organizations

Limited Additional Areas

• Science, education, and arts (only through board member-initiated proposals)

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• General operating expenses
• Organizations outside their geographic and programmatic focus areas
• Unsolicited requests (works with preselected organizations)

Governance and Leadership

Current Officers:

• President: Richard Mackay
• Vice President: Parry Murray (Parry W. Mead Murray)
• Vice President: Jane Mead
• CFO & Treasurer: Calder Mackay (Calder M. Mackay)
• Secretary: Giles W. (family member)

The foundation maintains strong family involvement, with descendants of founder Giles W. Mead Jr. serving in leadership roles alongside close associates.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Despite this, they maintain a formal application process:

1. Letter of Interest (LOI) - Initial submission (timing critical)
2. Full Proposal - By invitation only if LOI approved

Deadlines:

• April 1: Full proposals for May board meeting
• September 1: Full proposals for October board meeting
• LOI should be submitted approximately 5 months before board meetings

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation works with "preselected organizations," relationship-building is critical:

• The foundation's board members have strong ties to Pacific Northwest conservation organizations
• Given the founder's background as director of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and Harvard professor, connections through academic and museum networks may be valuable
• Board member-initiated proposals in science, education, and arts suggest cultivating relationships with individual board members is essential

Decision Timeline

• 5-6 months from initial LOI submission to board decision
• Board meets twice annually (May and October)
• Notification method not specified

Success Rates

Not publicly available. With only 3-18 grants awarded annually from a foundation that works with "preselected organizations," competition is extremely limited.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available documentation.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's history and stated preferences:

• Geographic alignment is critical: Must operate in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, or Alaska for environmental work
• Scientific rigor matters: Given the founder's background as a Harvard scientist, demonstrate strong scientific methodology
• Project-specific funding: Since they don't fund operations, proposals must be for discrete projects with clear outcomes
• Relationship requirement: The "preselected organizations" language indicates cold applications likely face insurmountable barriers
• Board connection advantage: With limited grants and board-initiated funding in some areas, having a champion on the board appears essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is effectively a closed foundation that works with preselected organizations despite maintaining formal application procedures
• Focus on relationship-building before any application attempt - cold applications are explicitly discouraged
• Environmental organizations in the Pacific Northwest with forestry or fisheries focus are the best fit
• Medical researchers working on diabetes/endocrine disorders may have opportunities
• With only 3-18 grants annually and $50,000-100,000 typical amounts, this is a selective, moderate-sized funder
• The 5-6 month decision timeline requires advance planning
• Consider this foundation only if you have existing relationships or clear pathways to board connections

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings and financial data (accessed March 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Grant-making patterns and foundation profile (accessed March 2026)
• GuideStar Profile for EIN 95-6040921 - Tax filings and organizational details (accessed March 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Grant statistics and timeline information (accessed March 2026)
• Giles W & Elise G Mead Foundation Official Website (http://www.gileswmeadfoundation.org) - Mission and application information (accessed March 2026)
• Society for Nonprofits Funding Alert - Application process and deadlines (accessed March 2026)
• Wikipedia: Giles W. Mead - Biographical information on founder (accessed March 2026)