Building Changes
Building Changes is a public charity based in Seattle, Washington. It advances equitable responses to homelessness in Washington, focusing on children, youth, families, and the systems that serve them. Its work includes grantmaking, capacity building, research, advocacy, and support for community-led housing stability strategies.
Building Changes at a glance
In short: Building Changes gave $5.2M across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $179K), mostly in Washington. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,202,859
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- +93.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $179,409
- -46.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $167,400
- Total assets
- $7,587,049
- -14.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (10 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Building Changes
- How to Apply
-
Review the Requests for Proposals and related application materials for projects serving families or youth and young adults. The listed eligible applicant types are nonprofit community- or neighborhood-based organizations, regional and statewide nonprofit housing assistance organizations, federally recognized Indian Tribes, local housing authorities, and public development authorities.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1200 12Th Ave S 1200, Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: (206) 805-6100
Website: https://buildingchanges.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Building Changes
Centralized Diversion Fund (CDF)
Building Changes
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP)
Building Changes
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Homelessness Prevention & Diversion Fund (HPDF)
Building Changes
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Building Changes funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Africatown International ($835K). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($12,142), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
341 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 280 grants of 341 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Building Changes’ mission and funding opportunities focus on Washington State. In 2024, 98% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Washington and 2% to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Building Changes open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 28 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $153K; repeat grants $204K. How we count
Medians: $167K first-time, $178K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2021) to $7.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Africatown International Seattle, WA | Centralized diversion flex fund - day 1 families fund | $834,799 |
| Panorama Global Seattle, WA | Wai Transfer Funds - Fiscal Sponsorship | $685,615 |
| Comprehensive Mental Health of Tacoma - Pierce County Tacoma, WA | Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project | $343,692 |
| Mother Nation Bothell, WA | Waantuwan Program | $334,500 |
| Freedom Project Renton, WA | Housing for Families | $222,761 |
| Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho Spokane, WA | Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project | $220,395 |
| Council for the Homeless Vancouver, WA | Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project | $208,867 |
| Together Tumwater, WA | Host Homes | $191,767 |
| Triumph Teen Life Center Mount Vernon, WA | Triumph Resources Center and Food Bank, Serving Families | $189,476 |
| Mujeres in Action Spokane, WA | Puerto seguro: housing advocacy and healing services for survivors facing homelessness | $183,328 |
Ready to take the next step with Building Changes?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,587,049 | $7,741,301 | $8,687,132 | $5,202,859 | 29 | $175,862 |
| 2023 | $8,878,191 | $8,507,241 | $11,573,134 | $5,015,254 | 15 | $196,530 |
| 2022 | $13,088,342 | $10,191,780 | $12,213,624 | $7,415,458 | 15 | $142,719 |
| 2021 | $14,145,989 | $7,573,307 | $4,930,978 | $1,673,554 | 67 | $128,360 |
| 2020 | $11,471,961 | $7,307,507 | $8,240,891 | $4,343,376 | 215 | $368,903 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Building Changes’ mission is to advance equitable responses to homelessness in Washington State, with a focus on children, youth, and families. Its stated work spans housing, education, and health systems and includes efforts to promote racial equity and lasting solutions to homelessness.
Its work includes the Washington Youth & Families Fund (WYFF), the Homeless Student Stability Program, the Homelessness Prevention & Diversion Fund, and the Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project. These initiatives address housing stability, homelessness prevention and diversion, school–housing partnerships, and support for youth and families.
Building Changes’ 2024 funding opportunity information identifies eligible applicants as nonprofit community- or neighborhood-based organizations, regional and statewide nonprofit housing assistance organizations, federally recognized Indian Tribes, local housing authorities, and public development authorities. The organization encourages culturally specific organizations and smaller organizations led and staffed by people of color that primarily serve communities of color to apply, including those not currently providing homelessness or housing services.
Examples of funded organizations include Council for the Homeless, which describes its mission as providing community leadership, advocacy, and practical solutions to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County, Washington. Mujeres in Action describes its mission as advocating for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Together describes its mission as advancing the health and well-being of young people.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Building Changes reported 29 grants totaling $5,202,859. Grants ranged from $6,071 to $834,799, with a median of $167,400. The largest listed grants included $834,799 to Africatown International for the Centralized Diversion Flex Fund – Day 1 Families Fund; $685,615 to Panorama Global for WAI transfer funds and fiscal sponsorship; and $343,692 to Comprehensive Mental Health of Tacoma–Pierce County for the Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project.
Other notable 2024 grants included $334,500 to Mother Nation for its WAANTUWAN program, $222,761 to Freedom Project for housing for families, and $220,395 to Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho for the Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project.
The website’s application page lists Requests for Proposals for projects serving families and projects serving youth and young adults. For youth and young adult projects, it describes approximately $250,000–$500,000 in total funding for organizations advancing diversion-first approaches to prevent and resolve youth homelessness. The page says applicants may seek funding, technical assistance, and capacity-building support for up to three years per project. No deadline is stated in the available application information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Daniel Zavala as executive director; Mehret Tekle-Awarun as managing director of strategic initiatives and PAR; Natasha West-Baker as director of people and culture; Jaclyn Pueyo as director of finance; and Terra Chen as director of communications.
The filing also lists David Wertheimer as secretary and co-chair, Rogers Weed as interim treasurer, Judge Wesley Saint Clair as president and co-chair, Senator T’Wina Nobles as vice president, and Erica Wiley as a voting member.
Building Changes is led by Daniel Zavala, Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel Zavala
Executive Director
Director of Policy → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$125K (2020) → $159K (2024)
Judge Wesley Saint Clair
President & Co-Chair
President → President & Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mehret Tekle-Awarun
Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives & Par
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$122K (2024)
Terra Chen
Director of Communications
Strategic Communications Lead → Director of Communications, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$107K (2021) → $100K (2024)
Jaclyn Pueyo
Director of Finance
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$118K (2024)
Natasha West-Baker
Director of People & Culture
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$116K (2024)
Chad Swaney
Voting Member
Secretary → Voting Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Wertheimer
Secretary & Co-Chair
Board Member → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Secretary & Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Brown
Voting Member
Immediate Past President → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Voting Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rogers Weed
Interim Treasurer
Treasurer → Immediate Past President, 2022
Immediate Past President → Interim Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Hilliard
Voting Member
Board Member → Voting Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Travis Walter
Voting Member
Board Member → Voting Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rhonda Hauff
Voting Member
Board Member → Voting Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lupe Mares
Voting Member
Board Member → Voting Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Senator T'wina Nobles
Vice President
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Lee
Voting Member
On filings since 2023
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erica Wiley
Voting Member
On filings since 2023
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Malena Fairlight Pinkham
Voting Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Chris Bruno (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Dilip Wagle (2020–2023) — Voting Member
- Former: Liza Burell (2020–2023) — Managing Director & Programs
- Former: Lee Murdock (2021–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Felicia Salcedo (2022–2023) — Managing Director of We Are in
- Former: Erik Houser (2023) — Director of Outreach
- Former: Margaret Woley (2023) — Director of We Are in
- Former: Melissa Espinoza (2023) — Director of We Are in
- Former: Matthew Lemon (2021–2022) — Director of Research & Evaluation
- Former: Armilito Pangilinan (2020–2021) — CFO
- Former: D'Artagnan Caliman (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: T'wina Nobles (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Wesley Saint Clair (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Annie Pennucci (2020) — Director of Research & Evaluation
- Former: Lori Kaiser (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Robert Davis (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Saara Romu (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $159K, to Daniel Zavala (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Building Changes
How much does Building Changes give each year?
Building Changes gave $5.2M across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.0M across 15 grants.
What is Building Changes's typical grant size?
Building Changes's median grant in 2024 was $167,400, and its average grant was $179,409, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Building Changes that year got $153K on average.
Where does Building Changes give grants?
Building Changes gives mostly in Washington: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (6 grants), Spokane, WA (2 grants) and Bellingham, WA (2 grants).
Does Building Changes give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 29 grants with a stated purpose on Building Changes's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project" (6 grants) and "Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness ABC Tool" (6 grants).
Who are Building Changes's largest grantees?
Building Changes's largest 2024 grantees include Africatown International ($834,799), Panorama Global ($685,615) and Comprehensive Mental Health of Tacoma - Pierce County ($343,692), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($12,142), which are not listed by name. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Building Changes?
Building Changes reported $7.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.7M.
What does Building Changes fund?
Building Changes’ mission is to advance equitable responses to homelessness in Washington State, with a focus on children, youth, and families. Its stated work spans housing, education, and health systems and includes efforts to promote racial equity and lasting solutions to homelessness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Building Changes?
Review the Requests for Proposals and related application materials for projects serving families or youth and young adults. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Building Changes's EIN?
Building Changes's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1410450. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Building Changes's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Building Changes funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/building-changes-morg_44c7031c6437439c87d11ba025064497
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911410450_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Building Changes funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/building-changes-morg_44c7031c6437439c87d11ba025064497},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Building Changes's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Building Changes down — hundreds of funders to go?