College Spark Washington
College Spark Washington is a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington. It supports the postsecondary dreams of students and their communities through grantmaking focused on dismantling racism in the education system.
College Spark Washington at a glance
In short: College Spark Washington gave $3.9M across 50 grants in 2025 (avg $78K), mostly in Washington. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,876,544
- +6.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 50
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $77,531
- +1.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $123,668,498
- +0.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (8 of 39, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Washington (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to College Spark Washington
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2023 filing directs applicants to its website for application information and detailed requests for proposals. The filing says those requests set out eligibility criteria, including requirements for organizations with a staffed presence in Washington State, methods to ensure projects serve students in the target population, and expected outcomes. Program information for the Education Equity Fund describes a Letter of Interest process, with LOIs accepted on a rolling basis and no set deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to review an informational webinar; invited applicants are asked to submit a full proposal within 30 days, unless an extension is requested and approved.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Application contact: College Spark Washington
Mailing address: 210 S Hudson St Suite 322, Seattle, WA 98134
Phone: (206) 461-7248
Website: https://collegespark.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from College Spark Washington
College Spark Washington Education Equity Fund
College Spark Washington
Amount
$150,000-$180,000 per grant (multi-year)
Deadline
Deadline not published
College Spark Washington: Education Equity Fund Grant
College Spark Washington
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who College Spark Washington funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Puget Sound Education Service District 121 ($525K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
258 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 99 grants of 258 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
College Spark’s Education Equity Fund invites educational institutions and nonprofits in Washington to apply. Its 2025 grant dollars were reported as 93% for recipients in Washington, 5% in California, and 3% in Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
Cities
Is College Spark Washington open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 39 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $140K; repeat grants $89K. How we count
Medians: $75K first-time, $60K repeat.
- 69% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.5M (2022) to $6.1M (2020). In 2025 it made 50 grants totaling $3.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Education Service District 105 Yakima, WA | LEA2143 Leader Implementation | $300,000 |
| Technology Access Foundation Seattle, WA | LEA2144 Leader Implementation | $300,000 |
| Puget Sound Education Service District 121 Renton, WA | LEA2138 Leader Implementation | $275,000 |
| Puget Sound Education Service District 121 Renton, WA | LEA2138 Leader Implementation | $250,000 |
| Northeast Wa ESD 101 Spokane, WA | LEA2139 Leader Implementation | $175,000 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | LEA2145 Leader Implementation | $175,000 |
| Community Center for Education Results Renton, WA | EEF2152 Community Practice Partnerships | $164,000 |
| Oneamerica Seattle, WA | Eef2114 building a pipeline for multiracial school board leadership | $150,000 |
| Northwest Education Service District 189 Anacortes, WA | LEA2142 Leader Implementation | $133,584 |
| Education Service District #105 Yakima, WA | EEF2127 Equity and Voice Structures | $120,000 |
Ready to take the next step with College Spark Washington?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $123,668,498 | $6,069,179 | $6,792,306 | $3,876,544 | 50 | $5,618,564 | $6,261,561 | $5,963,785 |
| 2024 | $123,240,352 | $10,092,041 | $6,424,323 | $3,652,845 | 48 | $5,540,871 | $11,846,217 | $5,388,867 |
| 2023 | $110,816,990 | $6,304,711 | $5,903,930 | $3,557,471 | 54 | $5,285,416 | $5,842,890 | $5,447,231 |
| 2022 | $104,693,147 | $3,230,019 | $5,132,768 | $3,490,978 | 46 | $5,050,896 | $3,580,307 | $5,981,584 |
| 2021 | $130,056,108 | $4,688,033 | $4,980,375 | $4,245,177 | 60 | — | $4,799,683 | $6,017,674 |
| 2020 | $111,409,793 | $2,390,066 | $7,504,756 | $6,057,811 | 63 | — | $3,531,637 | $5,522,329 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, College Spark Washington reported a distributable amount of $6.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
College Spark’s stated mission is to support the postsecondary dreams of students and their communities through grantmaking focused on dismantling racism in the education system. It envisions an education system that encourages learners to be their authentic selves and is equipped to guide them toward realizing their dreams.
The Education Equity Fund supports schools, colleges, and community-based organizations working toward antiracist practices and systemic change. Its stated areas of interest include alternatives to exclusionary discipline in high school, more inclusive student services at two-year colleges, and changes to placement practices at community and technical colleges. The LEADER Initiative focuses on increasing community representation in teaching, supporting systems changes for educators and leaders, and advancing more equitable educator preparation programs.
Among the 2025 grantees, the Technology Access Foundation describes its mission as building relationships with public education to create access to transformative learning for students and teachers of color. The Community Center for Education Results says it drives education systems change by centering student experiences, research, and community partnerships. OneAmerica describes its work as building power within immigrant communities in collaboration with allies. These are grantee descriptions, not statements of College Spark’s own mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, College Spark reported 50 grants totaling $3,876,544. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $300,000, with a median of $60,000.
Notable 2025 grants included $300,000 each to Education Service District 105 for LEADER implementation and the Technology Access Foundation for LEADER implementation; $275,000 and $250,000 to Puget Sound Education Service District 121, both for LEADER implementation; and $175,000 to the University of Washington for LEADER implementation. Other grants included $164,000 to the Community Center for Education Results for community practice partnerships, $150,000 to OneAmerica for building a pipeline for multiracial school board leadership, and $100,000 to Community Initiatives for LEADER evaluation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Warren Brown as chief executive officer. Sandy Brewster was listed as CFO as of February 2025, and Kris Lambright as CFO through April 2025. Other listed officers and directors were Joseph Accuardi-Gilliam, vice-chair; Sid Parakh, treasurer/secretary; and trustees Allison Fitzgerald Bromley, Anthony Craig, Lupe Mares-Rojas, Linda McDermott, and Prakash Ramoutar.
College Spark Washington is led by Warren Brown, Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Warren Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Director → Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$123K (2020) → $301K (2025)
Lin Zhou
Chair
Trustee → Chair Elect, 2024
Chair Elect → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Craig
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Stiffarm
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Wagnitz
Trustee
Chair → Chair & Treasurer, 2024
Chair & Treasurer → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Omar Santoy
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susana Reyes
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Francicso Rios
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karin Edwards
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allison Fitzgerald Bromley
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda McDermott
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Prakash Ramoutar
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lupe Mares-Rojas
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debora Juarez
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shirline Wilson
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kris Lambright
CFO
Trustee & Chief Financial Officer → Chief Financial Officer, 2021
Chief Financial Officer → CFO, 2025
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $63K (2025)
Sandy Brewster
CFO
New on the 2025 filing
20 hrs/week
$58K (2025)
Joseph Accuardi-Gilliam
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sid Parakh
Treasurer & Secretary
Trustee → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Amy Anderson (2020–2024) — Trustee · Filing note: From 7/2020
- Former: Erin Jones (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Barbara Richardson (2020–2023) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 423
- Former: Bernie Thomas (2020–2023) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 423
- Former: Connie Kanter (2020–2023) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 423
- Former: Stacy Pearson (2020–2023) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 423
- Former: Ed Taylor (2020–2022) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 422
- Former: Jesus Hernandez (2020–2021) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 4/2021
- Former: Trevor Greene (2020–2021) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 4/2021
- Former: Bob Gilb (2020) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 4/2020
- Former: Christine McCabe (2020) — Executive Director · Filing note: Thru 4/2020
- Former: Jean Hernandez (2020) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 4/2020
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $301K, to Warren Brown (Chief Executive Officer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about College Spark Washington
How much does College Spark Washington give each year?
College Spark Washington gave $3.9M across 50 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.7M across 48 grants.
What is College Spark Washington's typical grant size?
College Spark Washington's median grant in 2025 was $60,000, and its average grant was $77,531, across 50 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from College Spark Washington that year got $140K on average.
Where does College Spark Washington give grants?
College Spark Washington gives mostly in Washington: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (24 grants), Renton, WA (4 grants), Yakima, WA (2 grants) and Oakland, CA (2 grants).
Does College Spark Washington give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of College Spark Washington's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Employee Match" (11 grants).
Who are College Spark Washington's largest grantees?
College Spark Washington's largest 2025 grantees include Puget Sound Education Service District 121 ($525,000 across 2 grants), Education Service District #105 ($420,000 across 2 grants) and Technology Access Foundation ($360,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is College Spark Washington?
College Spark Washington reported $123.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does College Spark Washington fund?
College Spark’s stated mission is to support the postsecondary dreams of students and their communities through grantmaking focused on dismantling racism in the education system. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from College Spark Washington?
The foundation’s 2023 filing directs applicants to its website for application information and detailed requests for proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is College Spark Washington's EIN?
College Spark Washington's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1215725. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 19, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work College Spark Washington funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in College Spark Washington's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). College Spark Washington funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/college-spark-washington-morg_ef4bd9aaa7df4495b5e6c226266b8604
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911215725_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{College Spark Washington funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/college-spark-washington-morg_ef4bd9aaa7df4495b5e6c226266b8604},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 College Spark Washington'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.
College Spark Washington down — hundreds of funders to go?