College Success Foundation
College Success Foundation is a public charity based in Bellevue, Washington. Its work includes scholarships and college support for low-income students, as well as college-readiness programs for students in middle and high school.
College Success Foundation at a glance
In short: College Success Foundation gave $165K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $28K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $165,000
- -78.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- -80.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $27,500
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $33,287,633
- +2.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to College Success Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 15500 Se 30Th Place 200, Bellevue, WA 98007
Phone: (425) 416-2000
Website: https://collegesuccessfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who College Success Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Congolese United Foundation ($35K). Together the top 6 received $165K.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 37 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Bellevue, Washington. Its 2025 reported grants all went to Washington recipients. Its college-readiness work includes collaboration with Washington school districts and providers, and outreach about Washington State’s College Bound Scholarship.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $165K (2025) to $781K (2024). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $165K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Congolese United Foundation Tukwila, WA | FASFA Completion | $35,000 |
| iUrban Teen Renton, WA | FASFA Completion | $35,000 |
| South Puget Sound Pathways Shelton, WA | FASFA Completion | $30,000 |
| Educational Service District Yakima, WA | FASFA Completion | $25,000 |
| African Young Dreamers Federal Way, WA | FASFA Completion | $20,000 |
| Degrees of Change Tacoma, WA | FASFA Completion | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,287,633 | $27,728,746 | $27,455,231 | $165,000 | 6 | $614,580 |
| 2024 | $32,347,844 | $27,225,833 | $27,027,495 | $780,957 | 31 | $480,967 |
| 2023 | $30,060,110 | $32,385,020 | $27,299,796 | — | — | $302,366 |
| 2022 | $20,978,387 | $22,560,135 | $16,831,977 | — | — | $123,043 |
| 2021 | $13,905,715 | $16,300,539 | $15,853,186 | $320,654 | Total only | $54,840 |
| 2020 | $13,017,225 | $14,354,976 | $13,194,031 | — | — | $87,932 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is: “We provide a unique integrated system of supports and scholarships to inspire underserved, low-income students to finish high school, graduate from college and succeed in life.”
Its scholarship and college programs aim to reduce financial barriers and provide support throughout college. Through June 30, 2025, the foundation reported awarding 20,647 scholarships to 20,029 students, totaling more than $257 million; 14,299 graduates had received a degree. These scholarships and supports are for students, not grants to outside applicants.
Its college-readiness programs provide career and college awareness and support from ninth grade through high school graduation. The foundation also works with the Washington Student Achievement Council, school districts, and other college-access providers to help low-income seventh- and eighth-grade students learn about Washington State’s College Bound Scholarship. Its school-based staff work with teachers and guidance counselors and offer workshops on financial aid, academic planning, college admissions, and social networking skills.
The foundation’s 2025 grants included support for organizations working with students. For example, grantee iUrban Teen describes its mission as building an educational community rooted in trust, empowerment, inclusivity, and community, and helping historically excluded students succeed in its programs and long-term life goals. Grantee Degrees of Change says it prepares diverse, homegrown leaders to succeed in college and careers and build more vibrant and equitable communities.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported six grants totaling $165,000. Grant amounts ranged from $20,000 to $35,000, with a median of $27,500. All reported grant dollars went to Washington recipients. The listed grants were for “FASFA Completion”:
The foundation reported 31 grants totaling $780,957 in 2024. It uses a combination of external reviewers and small working groups to select grantees and scholarship recipients. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 6 grants totaling $165,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James Dorsey as CEO (term 6/25) and Michael Cheever as CEO (hired 6/25). Other listed officers and directors are Rosemary Turner, VP of Operation; Danette Knudson, VP of Strategy; Kellie Nakano, VP of Programs; Sharon Rivera, AVP, R&E; Mary Thiesen, Comm Dir.; Juliet Schindler, PA Dir.; Sarah Porter, Finance Dir.; and Allison Wherry, Executive Dir.
College Success Foundation is led by James Dorsey, CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 10 of 38 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James Dorsey
CEO
President & CEO → CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$218K (2020) → $244K (2025)
Michael Cheever
CEO
Executive Vice President & External Relations → Executive Vice President, 2023
Executive Vice President → CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$181K (2020) → $223K (2025)
Allison Wherry
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$123K (2025)
George Bridges
Chairman
Board Member → Chair, 2023
Chair → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juliet Schindler
Pa Director
Director & Public Affairs Strategic Partnerships → Public Affair Director, 2024
Public Affair Director → Pa Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$132K (2022) → $145K (2025)
Sarah Porter
Finance Director
Director, Accounting & Finance → Finance Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$119K (2022) → $136K (2025)
Mary Thiesen
Committee Director
Communication Director → Committee Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$138K (2024) → $142K (2025)
Danette Knudson
Vice President of Strategy
Director, Program Design & Development → Vice President & Program Strategy, 2023
Vice President & Program Strategy → Vice President of Strategy, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$114K (2020) → $166K (2025)
Rosemary Turner
Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Operations → Vice President & Operations, 2023
Vice President & Operations → Vice President of Operations, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$119K (2021) → $182K (2025)
Kellie Nakano
Vice President of Programs
Vice President & Program Operations → Vice President of Program, 2024
Vice President of Program → Vice President of Programs, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$118K (2022) → $168K (2025)
Sharon Rivera
Assistant Vice President, R & E
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$153K (2025)
Creighton Magid
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Welch
Board Member
Board Member → Co Chair, 2021
Co Chair → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
L Darrell Powell
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neal Boling
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Virginia Anderson
Board Member
Board Member → Co Chair, 2021
Co Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Jeffries
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Hohimer
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erik Jones
Chair-Elect
Board Member → Chair-Elect, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Evan Smith
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Fukai
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Hill
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Salome Valencia-Bohne
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacie Foster
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter Impert
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leona Dotson
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick Hailey
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sydney McMaster
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Liao
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James P Murphy
Vice Chairman
Vice Chair & Treasurer → Vice Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Neal
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lanine Lange
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lorna Hernandez Jarvis
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Starnes
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheri Flies
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Stonelake
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kurt Buttleman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Hunt
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (32)
- Former: Senait Habte (2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Tania Santiago Pastrana (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Yichun Chen (2024) — Assistant Director
- Former: Jim Murphy (2020–2023) — Vice Chair & Treasurer
- Former: Mary Theisen (2020–2023) — Director & Strategic Communications
- Former: Eli Kumekpor (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Tania Santiago (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Juliette Schindler (2023) — Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships
- Former: Veronica Guajardo Termed (2023) — Vice President & Programs
- Former: Deborah Rosen (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Diane Dimmer (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Adler (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Shanna Lamar (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Anthony Peterson (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: John Line (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Leona Locke (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Veronica Guajardo (2021–2022) — Vice President of Programs
- Former: Frank Greer (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: John Patnaude (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Juliette Schindler Kelly (2020–2021) — Director & Public Affairs Strategic Partnerships
- Former: Carladenise Edwards (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Dyce-Ryan (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Pamela Tazioli (2021) — Director & Development
- Former: Ann Ramsay-Jenkins (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Craig Sanders (2020) — Board Member
- Former: George Bridges Ph D. (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Joe Gaffney (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Kathleen Ross Ph D. (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lester McKee (2020) — Director Programs
- Former: Ralph Kosanovich (2020) — Chief Strategy Officer
- Former: Robert Moser (2020) — Chair
- Former: Sam Smith Ph D. (2020) — Board Member
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 $244K, to James Dorsey (CEO(term 6/25)). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about College Success Foundation
How much does College Success Foundation give each year?
College Success Foundation gave $165K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $781K across 31 grants.
What is College Success Foundation's typical grant size?
College Success Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $27,500, and its average grant was $27,500, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does College Success Foundation give grants?
College Success Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does College Success Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on College Success Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "FASFA Completion" (6 grants).
Who are College Success Foundation's largest grantees?
College Success Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Congolese United Foundation ($35,000), iUrban Teen ($35,000) and South Puget Sound Pathways ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is College Success Foundation?
College Success Foundation reported $33.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $27.7M.
What does College Success Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is: “We provide a unique integrated system of supports and scholarships to inspire underserved, low-income students to finish high school, graduate from college and succeed in life.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from College Success Foundation?
College Success Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check collegesuccessfoundation.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is College Success Foundation's EIN?
College Success Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-2036088. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 2, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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College Success Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?