Cedarmere Foundation is a private family foundation based in Seattle, Washington. Established in 2005 and tax-exempt since February 2006, the foundation operated for 18 years with a focus on strengthening the nonprofit sector through capacity building support. The foundation sunset in 2024.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
+1172.3% YoY
Grant Count
13
-53.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$130K
+2640.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cedarmere Foundation reported a distributable amount of $44K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Cedarmere Foundation supports the development and sustainability of effective governance and leadership in small nonprofit organizations that focus on education, health, and human services in the Puget Sound region of Washington State.
The foundation's primary grantmaking strategy centered on capacity building—equipping nonprofit leaders with vital resources to invest in people and infrastructure. In 2020, the foundation's trustees directed future grants toward capacity-building organizations whose missions center on building the capacity of other nonprofit organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Cedarmere Foundation primarily funded nonprofit organizations in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, with some giving in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving:
- 2024: Total assets $0; Total expenses $1,900,000
- 2023: Total assets $1,900,000
- 2022: Total assets $2,100,000
Revenue:
- 2024: $19,900
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $1,877,891 | $2,082,243 |
| Revenue | $19,920 | $86,210 | $-267,234 |
| Expenses | $1,895,798 | $292,298 | $330,028 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,895,798 | $289,395 | $294,646 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,920 | $85,241 | $24,906 |
| Distributable Amount | $44,399 | $98,937 | $100,397 |
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
122 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Byrd Barr Place ($1,000,000), Byrd Barr Place ($90,000), Communities Rise ($90,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Byrd Barr Place Seattle, WA | General Support for BIPOC ED Coalition | $1,000,000 |
| Byrd Barr Place Seattle, WA | Capacity Building | $90,000 |
| Common Future San Francisco, CA | Capacity Building | $12,000 |
| Communities Rise Seattle, WA | Capacity Building | $90,000 |
| Front And Centered Seattle, WA | Capacity Building | $90,000 |
| Latino Community Fund Seattle, WA | Capacity Building | $90,000 |
| Na'Ah Illahee Fund Seattle, WA | Capacity Building | $90,000 |
| OneAmerica Washington Seattle, WA | Quick Response Training Grant & Capacity Building | $12,000 |
| RVC Seattle Seattle, WA | Capacity Building | $90,000 |
| Sound Child Care Solutions Seattle, WA | Capacity Building | $12,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Cedarmere Foundation was founded by Kathy and George Edwards, who brought their personal and professional backgrounds together to create a family foundation merging their desires to strengthen the nonprofit community and engage with their family through philanthropy.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melanie Matthews | Executive Director - thru 11/30/24 | 20 | $62,442 |
| Kathleen D Edwards | President | 15 | — |
| George O Edwards | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Amy Zimerman | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Robert D Watt III | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Beto Yarce | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Sarah Tran | Trustee | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Cedarmere Foundation sunset in 2024, concluding its 18-year journey of capacity building grantmaking. Prior to closure, the foundation published a comprehensive legacy document detailing lessons learned about the power of capacity building support for nonprofits. The foundation's work emphasized that capacity building support is one of the most important and effective strategies a foundation can use to make organizations more effective, sustainable, and resilient.
The Walter Cerf Community Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation AnnouncesSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cedarmere Foundation fund?
The Cedarmere Foundation supports the development and sustainability of effective governance and leadership in small nonprofit organizations that focus on education, health, and human services in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. The foundation's primary grantmaking strategy centered on capacity building—equipping nonprofit leaders with vital resources to invest in people and infrastructure. In 2020, the foundation's trustees directed future grants toward capacity-building organizatio…
How do I apply for a grant from Cedarmere Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • 2024: 13 grants totaling $1,684,224 (median grant $90,000; range $6,000–$1,000,000) • 2023: 20 grants totaling $128,000 (median grant $2,000) • 2022: 20 grants totaling $183,000 (median grant $15,000) **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only. **Grantee Support:** From 2007 to 2023, the foundation supported 51 nonprofit organizations headquartered in the Puget Sound region with capacity building grant…
Where does Cedarmere Foundation make grants?
The Cedarmere Foundation primarily funded nonprofit organizations in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, with some giving in California.
What size grants does Cedarmere Foundation award?
In 2024, Cedarmere Foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $130K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cedarmere Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cedarmere Foundation reported a distributable amount of $44K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cedarmere Foundation's EIN?
Cedarmere Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3811488. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cedarmere 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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