College Spark Washington is a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington, dedicated to supporting the postsecondary dreams of students and their communities through grantmaking focused on dismantling racism in the education system. The organization works to remove unfair barriers and make education systems work better for everyone by building an anti-racist education system and supporting leaders who advance this mission.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$123.2M
+11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.7M
+2.7% YoY
Grant Count
48
-11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$76K
+15.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: College Spark Washington supports the postsecondary dreams of students and their communities through grantmaking focused on dismantling racism in the education system. The foundation envisions an education system that encourages learners to be their authentic selves and is equipped to guide them toward realizing their dreams.
Core Values: The organization's work is rooted in love for community and justice. College Spark demonstrates this commitment by:
- Believing in the wisdom of students and their communities, recognizing that solutions come from those most directly affected by racist systems
- Actively seeking opportunities to support students, communities, and allies in devising and implementing educational solutions
- Operating with humility and collaborating with others to leverage collective insight, experience, networks, and resources
- Forging authentic relationships with communities and allies through openness, transparency, and responsiveness
- Embracing continuous improvement and new ways of thinking to enhance impact and effectiveness
- Maintaining a steady, relentless approach to lasting change
Primary Funding Areas:
- Education Equity Fund: Supports schools, colleges, and organizations working toward antiracist practices in education
- LEADER Initiative: Increases community representation in teaching and supports equitable educator preparation programs
- College Readiness Initiative: Focuses on improving college readiness and access for students, especially those from underserved communities
- Rural Education Support: Funds initiatives to improve education in rural areas, including partnerships with local schools
The foundation gives to organizations with a staffed and physical presence in Washington State that can demonstrate successful experience in reaching and serving low-income students. Students are considered low-income if they are eligible for Pell Grants or Washington State Need Grants, or from families eligible for public assistance programs including Food Stamps, Free and Reduced Price Lunch, or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.
Grantmaking
Detailed requests-for-proposals are available at www.collegespark.org, which set forth requirements for consideration of grant proposals, including eligibility criteria. The foundation is open to new applicants.
Grant Range
s:**
Average Grant
$65,900–$77,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with College Spark Washington?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
College Spark Washington primarily funds organizations in Washington State. The foundation also supports educational projects in California, Michigan, Oregon, and Texas, with grantmaking concentrated in Washington, Oregon, and Texas, which account for 99% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across five states.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $123.2 million (as of 2024)
- Annual revenue: $6.3 million–$10.1 million
- Total expenses: $5.9 million–$6.4 million
- Annual income: $74.3 million
Staffing:
- 5–6 employees
Organization Details:
- EIN: 91-1215725
- Founded: 1983 (IRS ruling year)
- Type: Independent private foundation, 501(c)(3)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $123,240,352 | $110,816,990 | $104,693,147 |
| Revenue | $10,092,041 | $6,304,711 | $3,230,019 |
| Expenses | $6,424,323 | $5,903,930 | $5,132,768 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,540,871 | $5,285,416 | $5,050,896 |
| Net Investment Income | $11,846,217 | $5,842,890 | $3,580,307 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,388,867 | $5,447,231 | $5,981,584 |
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
244 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from College Spark Washington
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Warren Brown, Ed.D. – Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
- Annual compensation: $273,734
Sandy Brewster – Chief Financial Officer
The foundation's leadership team includes numerous trustees, most of whom serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WARREN BROWN | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $286,731 |
| KRIS LAMBRIGHT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 20 | $97,372 |
| JOSEPH ACCUARDI-GILLIAM | TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| AMY ANDERSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ALLISON FITZGERALD BROMLEY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ANTHONY CRAIG | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| KARIN EDWARDS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ERIN JONES | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| LUPE MARES-ROJAS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LINDA MCDERMOTT | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SID PARAKH | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 4 | — |
| PRAKASH RAMOUTAR | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SUSANA REYES | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| FRANCICSO RIOS | TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| OMAR SANTOY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DENISE STIFFARM | TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| JEFF WAGNITZ | CHAIR/TREASURER | 4 | — |
| LIN ZHOU | CHAIR ELECT | 4 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
College Spark Washington has announced several significant grants and initiatives:
Investing in the Future of School Leadership: College Spark Awards ...**Washington STEM:** $360,000 grant for Community-Centered, School-Based Improvement (2024)
**Technology Access Foundation (TAF):** $300,000 grant for LEADER Implementation (2024)
**OneAmerica:** $150,000 grant for Building A Pipeline for Multiracial School Board Leadership (2024)
Investing in the Future of School Leadership: College Spark Awards ...**Washington State University:** $220,000 grant for investing in the future of school leadership
Investing in the Future of School Leadership: College Spark Awards ...**Five Washington Colleges:** $2.5 million in grants to implement guided pathways
Five Washington Colleges Awarded $2.5 Million in Grants to Implement GuidedThe foundation continues to actively award Education Equity Fund grants to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations working to remove barriers to equity for high-need students.
College Spark Awards $75K Grant Igniting Educational Equity in ...Contact Information
Website: www.collegespark.org
Address: 210 S Hudson St # 322, Seattle, WA 98134-2417
Phone: 206-461-7248
Email: info@collegespark.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Thurgood Marshall PTA
SEATTLE, WA
Assets
$186K
Grants
1
Total Given
$224K
The Hare Bnb Rescue Spa and Boutique
LACEY, WA
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$400
Cmr Foundation
STANWOOD, WA
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
2
Total Given
$1.5M
Sequim Masonic Lodge Foundation
CARLSBORG, WA
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$30K
Foundation House at Northgate
GIG HARBOR, WA
Assets
$223K
Grants
16
Total Given
$159K
Women of Wisdom Wow Tricities
RICHLAND, WA
Assets
$91K
Grants
1
Total Given
$25K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with College Spark Washington on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities