Apex Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1999 and based in Bellevue, Washington. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with approximately $127 million in assets. It functions as a family foundation and is among the largest foundations in Washington state.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$147.8M
+16.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.7M
-6.7% YoY
Grant Count
202
+2.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-8.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Apex Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
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.
Primary funding areas include:
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Health and Well-Being
- Social & Human Services
- Disability Services
- Poverty Alleviation
- Diseases and Conditions
- Community Development
- Mental Health
- Research
- Youth Development
- Faith-Based Initiatives
- Animals
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$40,000–$100,000
Average Grant
amount: $30,891–$31,000
Invitation Only
** Invitation only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation identifies and develops priorities, projects, and initiatives, then seeks out appropriate organizations to implement them.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Approximately 72% of grants remain in Washington state. The foundation also provides significant support to organizations in New York, California, Virginia, and South Carolina. Top grant-receiving cities include Seattle (57 grants), Bellevue (13 grants), Washington DC (10 grants), and New York (8 grants).
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $126.9–$127 million
- Total Revenues: $13.9 million
- Total Expenses: $9.6 million
- Total Liabilities: −$602
- Annual Giving: $6.1 million
Five-Year Growth: 12% total growth with steady year-over-year increases
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $147,826,665 | $126,969,748 | $122,720,517 |
| Revenue | $29,489,742 | $13,856,269 | $6,595,370 |
| Expenses | $8,634,963 | $9,604,073 | $10,242,811 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,816,697 | $7,134,180 | $7,530,768 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,125,206 | $5,396,393 | $5,296,081 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,961,797 | $6,852,840 | $7,086,531 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason ($750,000), Aopa Foundation ($100,000), Congressional Medal of Honor Society ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A FUTURE & A HOPE RENTON, WA | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT - COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AEROSPACE MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA MCCLELLAN, CA | EDUCATION AND YOUTH SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES & ALUMNI WASHINGTON, DC | ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC SEATTLE, WA | HEALTH PROMOTION AND MEDICAL RESEARCH | $25,000 |
| ANGEL FLIGHT WEST SANTA MONICA, CA | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ANGEL FLIGHT WEST SANTA MONICA, CA | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AOPA FOUNDATION FREDERICK, MD | EDUCATION AND YOUTH SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ATLAS FREE KIRKLAND, WA | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT - COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $500 |
| AURELIA INSTITUTE CAMBRIDGE, MA | ARTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY | $25,000 |
| BATS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL AUSTIN, TX | EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT - COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Bruce R. McCaw – Co-chair, Vice President
- Jolene M. McCaw – Co-chair, Vice President
- Craig W. Stewart – President
- Aurelie McKinstry – Executive Director
- Ryan Porter – Treasurer
The McCaw family received Seattle's First Citizens Award in 2004 in recognition of their community contributions.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRAIG W STEWART | PRESIDENT | 30 | $262,498 |
| JOLENE M MCCAW | CO-VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| BRUCE R MCCAW | CO-VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| RYAN PORTER | TREASURER | 20 | $202,630 |
| AURELIE MCKINSTRY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 40 | $207,885 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program with consistent annual distributions. Historical grant data shows that 36% of giving supports Arts & Culture, 19% supports Education, and 12% supports Social & Human Services. Recent grants have included support for cultural institutions, educational organizations, health research, and community service organizations across multiple states.
Apex Digital Solutions Awards $45,000 in Technology Empowerment Grants toSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Apex Foundation fund?
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. Primary funding areas include: • Arts & Culture • Education • Health and Well-Being • Social & Human Services • Disability Services • Poverty Alleviation • Diseases and Conditions • Community Development • Mental Health • Research • Youth Development • Faith-Based Initiatives • Animals
How do I apply for a grant from Apex Foundation?
**Application Process:** Invitation only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation identifies and develops priorities, projects, and initiatives, then seeks out appropriate organizations to implement them. **Grant Activity (2023):** • Total grants distributed: $6.1 million • Number of grants awarded: 192–206 grants • Average grant amount: $30,891–$31,000 • Typical grant range: $40,000–$100,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • Benaroya Research Institute at Virgini…
Where does Apex Foundation make grants?
Approximately 72% of grants remain in Washington state. The foundation also provides significant support to organizations in New York, California, Virginia, and South Carolina. Top grant-receiving cities include Seattle (57 grants), Bellevue (13 grants), Washington DC (10 grants), and New York (8 grants).
What size grants does Apex Foundation award?
In 2024, Apex Foundation awarded 202 grants totaling $5.7M — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Apex Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Apex Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Apex Foundation's EIN?
Apex Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1950397. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Apex Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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