The Campion Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2005 and based in Seattle, Washington. It is a 501(c)(3) organization that takes a rigorous and highly focused approach to philanthropy, making targeted investments in high-impact public charities, leaders, and partnerships across three primary program areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.8M
-3.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-55.7% YoY
Grant Count
40
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
-66.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Campion Foundation reported a distributable amount of $844K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Campion Foundation focuses on three core program areas:
Public Lands & Climate Action
Efforts are focused on the protection of large, intact ecosystems in America's Arctic and across the United States as a solution to the climate crisis. The foundation believes that conserving public lands and waters is essential to addressing climate change.
Ending Homelessness
The foundation works at local, state, and federal levels to end homelessness. Primary priorities include preventing youth homelessness and ensuring access to safe, affordable housing for all.
Nonprofit Impact
The foundation recognizes that the 1.7 million nonprofits in the United States serve individuals and shape policy in every community. It supports efforts to strengthen the capacity of the nonprofit sector, viewing this as essential to strengthening democracy.
Grantmaking
Based on 2023 data, the foundation made 43 grants totaling approximately $2,490,000. Notable recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Washington, the District of Columbia, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (Most Recent Data)
- Total Assets (2024): $16,777,725
- Total Revenue (2024): $1,476,423
- Total Expenses (2024): $1,857,864
- Net Income (2024): -$381,441
Historical Financial Data (2023)
- Total Assets: $17,420,595
- Total Revenue: $2,064,532
- Total Expenses: $3,726,066
The foundation operates as a private foundation with no employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,777,725 | $17,420,595 | $18,800,043 |
| Revenue | $1,476,423 | $2,064,532 | $478,526 |
| Expenses | $1,857,864 | $3,726,066 | $5,103,446 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,793,324 | $3,650,013 | $5,026,325 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,214,936 | $1,632,106 | $178,538 |
| Distributable Amount | $843,820 | $864,701 | $1,105,178 |
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
183 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Seattle Foundation ($225,000), Center for American Progress ($150,000), Community Solutions International Inc ($112,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALASKA COMMUNITY ACTION ON TOXICS ANCHORAGE, AR | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $15,000 |
| ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $100,000 |
| AUDUBON ALASKA NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $100,000 |
| BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS MISSOULA, MT | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $25,000 |
| BRAIDED RIVER SEATTLE, WA | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $20,000 |
| CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $150,000 |
| CONSERVATION LANDS FOUNDATION DURANGO, CO | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $40,000 |
| NATIVE MOVEMENT FAIRBANKS, AK | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $85,000 |
| NEW VENTURE FUND WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $100,000 |
| SITKA CONSERVATION SOCIETY SITKA, AK | SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founder/President: Sonya Campion
The foundation was created and funded by Tom and Sonya Campion.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOM CAMPION | FOUNDING TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| SONYA CAMPION | FOUNDING TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JASON PAULSEN | STRATEGIC ADVISOR & TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| CARRIE SAVAGE | COO | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active presence through its affiliated Campion Advocacy Fund, which shares aligned mission areas but operates separately. Recent news items include:
**April 2, 2025:** "Your Advocacy for Homeless Youth is Working!" announcement
More WA foster, homeless youth to get tuition help | The Seattle Times**March 26, 2025:** "Remembering Frank Chopp, Leader and Friend"
**January 17, 2025:** "Let's continue the work Carter started in Alaska" (Public Lands & Climate focus)
The foundation emphasizes that its grantmaking success depends on the leadership and determination of its grantee organizations.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Campion Foundation fund?
The Campion Foundation focuses on three core program areas: Efforts are focused on the protection of large, intact ecosystems in America's Arctic and across the United States as a solution to the climate crisis. The foundation believes that conserving public lands and waters is essential to addressing climate change. The foundation works at local, state, and federal levels to end homelessness. Primary priorities include preventing youth homelessness and ensuring access to safe, affordable housi…
How do I apply for a grant from Campion Foundation?
• **Typical award range:** $5,000–$1,225,000 • **Grant approach:** By invitation only. The foundation makes the majority of its grants to organizations it has identified and does not accept unsolicited proposals. • **Strategy:** Grantmaking is grounded in strategy and targeted for maximum leverage. Based on 2023 data, the foundation made 43 grants totaling approximately $2,490,000. Notable recent grants include: • Seattle Foundation: $485,000 (Support for Project Homeless and Protection of Publ…
Where does Campion Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Washington, the District of Columbia, and New York.
What size grants does Campion Foundation award?
In 2024, Campion Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $38K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Campion Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Campion Foundation reported a distributable amount of $844K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Campion Foundation's EIN?
Campion Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3421717. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Campion 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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