The Channel Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1998 and based in Seattle, Washington. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting women's human rights by funding intersecting streams of the global movement for gender equality. The foundation works through grantmaking, advocacy, and collaboration with an international network of women's rights organizations and funders.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.9M
+6.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$144K
-96.2% YoY
Grant Count
5
-90.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
-61.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Channel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $611K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Channel Foundation's mission is to promote leadership in women's human rights around the globe by supporting organizations engaged in combating gender inequality. Through its work, the foundation seeks to create opportunities to ensure that women's rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
Primary funding areas include:
- Women's human rights and gender equality
- Women's regional networks focused on peace and security experts from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India
- Indigenous women's human rights
- Women's rights and leadership in sub-Saharan Africa
- Feminist movements and crisis response initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation made 29 grants in its most recent reporting year. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations working globally, with documented support for initiatives in:
- Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India
- Guatemala
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Poland
- Ukraine
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $12,887,860
- Total Revenues: $1,104,502
- Total Expenses: $465,187
- Number of Employees: 1
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $12.1 million
- Revenue: $980,000
- Expenses: $4.09 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,887,860 | $12,141,720 | $14,594,975 |
| Revenue | $1,104,502 | $979,810 | $326,911 |
| Expenses | $465,187 | $4,086,387 | $2,247,954 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $393,281 | $4,001,362 | $2,153,174 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,018,764 | $880,297 | $181,123 |
| Distributable Amount | $611,446 | $635,655 | $844,725 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
181 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Women Win Foundation Inc ($50,000), Feminist Fund ($30,000), Fos Feminista ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FEMINIST FUND | TO SUPPORT FEMINIST MOVEMENTS IN POLAND AND CRISIS RESPONSE FOR REFUGEES FROM THE WAR IN UKRAINE | $30,000 |
| FOS FEMINISTA NEW YORK, NY | UKRAINE REFUGEE CRISIS | $25,000 |
| WOMEN'S EARTH AND CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK MILL VALLEY, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| WOMEN'S REGIONAL NETWORK DENVER, CO | REFUGEE WOMEN CRISIS | $13,500 |
| WOMEN WIN FOUNDATION INC BELLEAIR BLUFFS, FL | FISC SPON: CEECCNA COLLABORATIVE FUND - GENL OPER | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Channel Foundation was founded by Elaine Nonneman in 1998. Elaine Nonneman passed away in late 2024.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATRIN WILDE | TRUSTEE/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $140,192 |
| ELAINE NONNEMAN | TRUSTEE THRU 11/2024 | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program and publishes regular updates on grantee partner news and impact stories. The foundation's website features sections on current grantees organized by focus area and region, as well as archival information on past grantees and Women's Leadership Scholarship recipients. A memorial page honoring founder Elaine Nonneman was established following her passing in late 2024.
Global Grantees - Channel FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Channel Foundation fund?
The Channel Foundation's mission is to promote leadership in women's human rights around the globe by supporting organizations engaged in combating gender inequality. Through its work, the foundation seeks to create opportunities to ensure that women's rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. Primary funding areas include: • Women's human rights and gender equality • Women's regional networks focused on peace and security experts from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India • Indigenous women's…
How do I apply for a grant from Channel Foundation?
The foundation made 29 grants in its most recent reporting year. Recent grants include: • Feminist Health Fund: $30,000 (to support feminist movements in Poland and crisis response for refugees from the war in Ukraine) • Women's Earth and Climate Action Network: $25,000 (general operating support) • Fos Feminista (IPPF/WHR): $25,000 (Ukraine refugee crisis) The foundation has a history of supporting grassroots leadership (1999–2005) and previously administered the Women's Leadership Scholarship…
Where does Channel Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations working globally, with documented support for initiatives in: • Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India • Guatemala • Sub-Saharan Africa • Poland • Ukraine
What size grants does Channel Foundation award?
In 2024, Channel Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $144K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Channel Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Channel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $611K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Channel Foundation's EIN?
Channel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-6478055. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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