Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation is a private foundation based in Missoula, Montana, and the major philanthropic organization for the Washington family and The Washington Companies. Founded in 1988, it supports programs and services intended to improve people’s quality of life and benefit society.
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation at a glance
In short: Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation gave $50.0M across 547 grants in 2024 (avg $91K), top state Montana. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $50,004,658
- +4.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 547
- +0.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $91,416
- +3.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,065,856,949
- +1.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (91 of 447, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Montana (45% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
The Foundation directs organizations to review its guidelines, complete an online Eligibility Review, and, if eligible, submit the online application. It says not to submit additional materials such as photographs or letters of support. Canadian organizations may apply by invitation after submitting a letter of inquiry.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions generally made within 90 days.
- Deadline
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions generally made within 90 days.
- Contact
Application contact: Dennis Phyllis Washington Foundatio
Mailing address: PO Box 16630, Missoula, MT 59808-6630
Phone: (406) 523-1300
Website: https://www.dpwfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation Grants
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dennis and Phyllis Washington Native American Graduate Fellowship Grant
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dennis Washington Leadership Graduate Scholarship Grant
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Amount
Up to US $120,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation ($12.5M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $39.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 9 grants to individuals ($132,750), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,704 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,421 grants of 2,704 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says its grants serve Montana and areas in which The Washington Companies operate. Its listed operating areas include Montana; Kent, Spokane, and Rochester, Washington; Boise, Pocatello, and Jerome, Idaho; Eugene and Portland, Oregon; Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia; and various locations served by Envirocon. For Canadian applicants, the Foundation identifies Vancouver and Victoria as its current areas of operation.
In 2024, reported grant dollars included 45% for recipients in Montana, 30% in California, 4% in Oregon, and 1% in Virginia; a further 18% is shown without a recipient state identified.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 547 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 91 of 447 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $93K; repeat grants $117K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+13%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $44.3M (2021) to $50.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 547 grants totaling $50.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State of Montana - Montana Historical Society Helena, MT | Montana Heritage Center | $5,000,000 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation Rancho Mirage, CA | Cardiac and Vascular Institute Building Construction | $5,000,000 |
| State of Montana - Montana Historical Society Helena, MT | Montana Heritage Center | $5,000,000 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation Rancho Mirage, CA | Fourth floor of the washington family center specialty clinics building | $5,000,000 |
| Horatio Alger Association of Canada | Horatio Alger Vocational & Technical Education Scholarship Program | $5,000,000 |
| University of Montana Foundation Missoula, MT | Pjw college of education scholars program and institute for positive education | $3,690,000 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation Rancho Mirage, CA | Washington Family Health Center 2 | $2,500,000 |
| Camosun College Foundation | The camosun trades training centre with indigenous first building focus | $1,301,475 |
| Xavier College Preparatory High School Palm Desert, CA | New Field Project - Grant | $1,250,000 |
| Young Life - WFR Antelope, OR | Muddy Road | $1,109,821 |
Ready to take the next step with Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,065,856,949 | $23,741,757 | $50,639,590 | $50,004,658 | 547 | $50,860,504 | $11,914,433 | $51,525,022 |
| 2023 | $1,052,645,253 | $-22,884,591 | $53,279,581 | $47,892,018 | 543 | $48,698,069 | $16,249,571 | $47,319,038 |
| 2022 | $979,809,616 | $14,908,793 | $61,633,129 | $47,975,349 | 497 | $49,205,950 | $21,002,122 | $48,804,965 |
| 2021 | $1,067,781,913 | $46,790,438 | $52,487,297 | $44,312,820 | 471 | $44,862,954 | $47,665,598 | $48,678,534 |
| 2020 | $1,024,973,213 | $135,352,040 | $52,856,987 | $45,295,426 | 646 | — | $131,660,056 | $44,836,865 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation reported a distributable amount of $51.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it strives to better the human condition by supporting programs and services that give people tools to improve their lives and benefit society. Its focus areas are education; health and human services; arts and culture; and community service. It emphasizes direct services to low-income, rural, and underserved populations.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work represented among grantees. Mountain Home Montana, which received $500,000 in 2024, describes its mission as providing a safe, stable, nurturing home for young mothers and their children. Challenge Aspen, awarded $187,500, says it provides recreational, educational, and cultural experiences for people with cognitive or physical challenges. Education Design Lab, awarded $500,000, describes its work as designing and testing models to help higher education adapt to economic change.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 547 grants totaling $50,004,658. Awards ranged from $242 to $5,000,000, with a median of $10,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $5,000,000 to the Montana Historical Society for the Montana Heritage Center; $5,000,000 to Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation for cardiac and vascular institute building construction; and $5,000,000 to the Horatio Alger Association of Canada for its vocational and technical education scholarship program. Other notable 2024 grants included $3,690,000 to the University of Montana Foundation for the PJW College of Education Scholars Program and Institute for Positive Education, and $1,301,475 to Camosun College Foundation for the Camosun Trades Training Centre, with an Indigenous First building focus.
The Foundation also lists scholarship programs for individual students, including the Dennis Washington Leadership Graduate Scholarship, the Horatio Alger Montana Undergraduate Scholarship Program, and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Native American Graduate Fellowship. These are student scholarship offerings, not grant programs for outside organizations.
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits, apply within one of the four focus areas, and serve people in an operating area of The Washington Companies. The Foundation calls for an emphasis on direct services and evidence of other substantial financial support, and says it is not a long-term funder. It generally does not fund most capital or equipment campaigns, sponsorships, loans, debt retirement, or operating deficits. It accepts one application per nonprofit per year unless the Executive Director authorizes otherwise; overlapping requests are rarely funded.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Phyllis J. Washington, Kevin Washington, and Kyle Washington as directors; Matthew K. Rose as president and director; Jerry K. Lemon as chief investment officer; Joe Racicot as secretary/treasurer; Mike Halligan as outgoing executive director; and Jon Bennion as incoming executive director.
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation is led by Mike Halligan, Outgoing Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mike Halligan
Outgoing Executive Director
Executive Director & Vice President → Outgoing Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$73K (2021) → $214K (2024)
Matthew K. Rose
President & Director
Director → President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Bennion
Incoming Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Washington
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Washington
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis J. Washington
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Racicot
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry K. Lemon
Chief Investment Officer
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Erin Agner (2023) — Director of Grants & Contracts
- Former: Lawrence R. Simkins (2020–2021) — President & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $214K, to Mike Halligan (Outgoing Exec. Director).
Frequently asked questions about Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
How much does Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation give each year?
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation gave $50.0M across 547 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $47.9M across 543 grants.
What is Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's typical grant size?
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $91,416, across 547 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation that year got $93K on average.
Where does Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation give grants?
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's top state is Montana, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was California (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Missoula, MT (99 grants), Helena, MT (38 grants), Butte, MT (35 grants) and Billings, MT (34 grants).
Does Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 547) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2024 Holiday Giving" (98 grants), "2024 Scholarships" (10 grants) and "2023 Project Sweatshirt - MRL" (6 grants).
Who are Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's largest grantees?
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation ($12,500,000 across 3 grants), State of Montana - Montana Historical Society ($10,007,500 across 3 grants) and Horatio Alger Association of Canada ($5,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 9 grants to individuals ($132,750), which are not listed by name. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation?
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation reported $1.1B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $50.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $51.5M (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 Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it strives to better the human condition by supporting programs and services that give people tools to improve their lives and benefit society. Its focus areas are education; health and human services; arts and culture; and community service. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation?
The Foundation directs organizations to review its guidelines, complete an online Eligibility Review, and, if eligible, submit the online application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's EIN?
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3606913. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dennis-and-phyllis-washington-foundation-morg_f9ac5d328d734cebac0ce1bf5b40a4f7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363606913_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dennis \& Phyllis Washington Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dennis-and-phyllis-washington-foundation-morg_f9ac5d328d734cebac0ce1bf5b40a4f7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation'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.
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