Empire Health Foundation
Empire Health Foundation is a private foundation based in Spokane, Washington. Its website presents its work under the Waters Meet name and describes an approach centered on partnering with communities in the Inland Northwest to address health inequities and historical injustice.
Empire Health Foundation at a glance
In short: Empire Health Foundation gave $1.1M across 66 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Washington. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,093,037
- -70.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 66
- +37.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,561
- -78.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $87,842,108
- +4.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (16 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% 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 Empire Health Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states in its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its website also describes the Building Connections Initiative and community sponsorship opportunities for community partners to inquire about.
- Review Cycle
- Sponsorship applications are due no later than 90 days before the planned event or convening.
- Deadline
- Sponsorship applications are due no later than 90 days before the planned event or convening.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1020 W Riverside Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201-1100
Phone: (509) 499-1094
Website: https://empirehealthfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Empire Health Foundation
Building Connections Initiative
Empire Health Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Empire Health Foundation Sponsorship
Empire Health Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Waters Meet Community Sponsorship Grant
Empire Health Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Empire Health Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Latinos En Spokane ($200K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $670K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($15,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
255 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 201 grants of 255 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies its service area as seven counties in eastern Washington—Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, and Whitman—and three sovereign nations: Colville Confederated, Spokane, and Kalispel. All 2024 grant dollars listed in the filing went to recipients in Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 66 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Empire Health Foundation open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 38 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $21K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 49% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 136% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $1.1M (2024) to $3.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 66 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Latinos En Spokane Spokane, WA | Grant to support acativa tu salud - elder health coaching program | $185,137 |
| Spokane Tribal Network Wellpinit, WA | Grant in support of collaboration with ichm lifecycles model consultants | $80,500 |
| Health and Justice Recovery Alliance Millwood, WA | Health and justice recovery alliance - grant for operating expenses | $74,000 |
| Peace & Justice Action League Spokane Spokane, WA | To Support Embodying Racial Justice Workshop - 5/3/2024-5/6/2024 | $50,600 |
| Terrain Programs Spokane, WA | Capital campaign project - conditional grant of $175k, with initial payment of $50k | $50,000 |
| Take up the Cause Spokane, WA | Ta Grant to Support Black Homeownership Spokane Initiative | $41,400 |
| Innovia Foundation Spokane, WA | Health philanthropy partnership fund for ta grants (inba & mas) | $30,600 |
| Mujeres in Action (MIA) Spokane, WA | Grant to provide technical assistance for grant writing and behavioral health bil... | $20,000 |
| Roots of Resilience Walla Walla, WA | Grant - Program Work in Spokane County | $20,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Empire Health Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $87,842,108 | $14,721,923 | $14,828,903 | $1,093,037 | 66 | $5,855,695 | $5,479,203 | $4,314,811 |
| 2023 | $84,324,105 | $10,829,931 | $14,728,065 | $3,696,996 | 48 | $8,776,504 | $1,925,382 | $3,740,915 |
| 2022 | $80,560,868 | $3,263,159 | $8,740,998 | $2,747,574 | 61 | $6,914,963 | $1,028,435 | $3,998,743 |
| 2021 | $102,630,779 | $9,724,377 | $8,171,643 | $2,133,650 | 52 | $5,866,511 | $6,454,598 | $4,420,849 |
| 2020 | $97,001,669 | $9,364,869 | $8,339,858 | $2,050,825 | 28 | — | $2,346,547 | $3,891,444 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Empire Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes grantmaking that centers community voices and supports community-led solutions to health inequities. Its funding priorities include leaders and community organizations working to advance racial, social, and economic justice, with priority communities including Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; people with disabilities; low-income communities; and rural communities.
Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in varied areas. Latinos en Spokane describes its mission as building capacity among Latino community members, leaders, business owners, and organizations through inclusive engagement. Spokane Tribal Network says it brings resources to Spokane Tribal communities and collaborates to support cultural traditions, families, ecosystems, and community well-being. Take Up the Cause describes work to support BIPOC communities through advocacy and basic safety-net services. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 66 grants totaling $1,093,037. Grant amounts ranged from $300 to $185,137, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest listed awards included $185,137 to Latinos en Spokane for an elder health coaching program; $80,500 to Spokane Tribal Network in support of collaboration with ICHM Lifecycles Model consultants; $74,000 to Health and Justice Recovery Alliance for operating expenses; and $50,600 to Peace & Justice Action League Spokane for a racial justice workshop.
Other listed 2024 awards included $50,000 to Terrain Programs for a capital campaign project, $41,400 to Take Up the Cause for technical assistance supporting the Black Homeownership Spokane Initiative, and $30,600 to Innovia Foundation for a health philanthropy partnership fund for technical assistance grants.
The foundation’s website describes the Building Connections Initiative as a two-phase process: an eligibility screening followed by a full application for organizations deemed eligible. It says applicants can request assistance with the application process. The website also lists community sponsorships for gatherings, trainings, convenings, and other events that support health equity and racial and social justice in eastern Washington. The sponsorship page states that applications should be submitted no later than 90 days before the planned event or convening.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas E Smith as president; Janae Perkins as senior finance director; Lily Zhang as chief financial officer; Sharon Fairchild as chair; Monica Simeon as vice chair; Jenny Smith as secretary; Reuben Mayes as treasurer; Todd Koyama as immediate past chair; and Mels Felton and Anna Franklin as directors. Mels Felton’s term was listed as ending in 2024.
Empire Health Foundation is led by Thomas E. Smith, President on every filing since 2020; 3 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas E. Smith
President
On filings since 2020
35.3 hrs/week
$76K (2020) → $252K (2024)
Sharon Fairchild
Chair
Director & Vice Chair → Director & Chair, 2023
Director & Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margo Hill
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
$300 (2023) → $0 (2024)
Janae Perkins
Senior Finance Director
New on the 2024 filing
37.1 hrs/week
$68K (2024)
Kim Pearman-Gillman
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelly Wynecoop
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andy Leija
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Franklin
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dean Martz
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gloria Ochoa-Bruck
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mels Felton
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Jenkins-Rosenkrantz
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Skyler Love
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lily Zhang
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2021
36 hrs/week
$96K (2021) → $38K (2024)
Jenny Smith
Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2022
Director & Secretary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Simeon
Vice Chair
Director & Treasurer → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
Director & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Koyama
Immediate Past Chair
Director & Board Vice Chair → Director & Chair, 2021
Director & Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Reuben Mayes
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Jeff Thomas (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Oscar Harris (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rhosetta Rhodes (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Tawhnee Colvin (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Cicely White (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Donna Moulton (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Luis Manriquez (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Alison Boyd-Ball (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Luisita Francis (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mary Selecky (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: David E. Luhn (2020–2021) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Thomas Quigley (2020–2021) — Former Director Termed Officer March
- Former: William Bouten (2021) — Former Director Termed Officer March
- Former: Bill Bouten (2020) — Director
- Former: Gary Stokes (2020) — Former Director Termed Officer March
- Former: Jeffrey Bell (2020) — Interim President
- Former: Nathan Smith (2020) — Former Director Termed Officer March
- Former: Rodney McCauley (2020) — Former Director Termed Officer March
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 $252K, to Thomas E Smith (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Empire Health Foundation
How much does Empire Health Foundation give each year?
Empire Health Foundation gave $1.1M across 66 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.7M across 48 grants.
What is Empire Health Foundation's typical grant size?
Empire Health Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $16,561, across 66 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Empire Health Foundation that year got $17K on average.
Where does Empire Health Foundation give grants?
Empire Health Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Spokane, WA (43 grants), Wellpinit, WA (6 grants), Othello, WA (4 grants) and Millwood, WA (2 grants).
Does Empire Health Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Empire Health Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 66) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Technical Assistance Grant" (22 grants) and "CAC Member Org. Grant" (11 grants).
Who are Empire Health Foundation's largest grantees?
Empire Health Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Latinos En Spokane ($200,137 across 2 grants), Spokane Tribal Network ($102,800 across 6 grants) and Health and Justice Recovery Alliance ($76,200 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($15,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Empire Health Foundation?
Empire Health Foundation reported $87.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Empire Health Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes grantmaking that centers community voices and supports community-led solutions to health inequities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Empire Health Foundation?
The foundation states in its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Empire Health Foundation's EIN?
Empire Health Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3375286. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Empire Health Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Empire Health Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Empire Health Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/empire-health-foundation-morg_c0fffc969c3946558a22eac66e113a82
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_263375286_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Empire Health Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/empire-health-foundation-morg_c0fffc969c3946558a22eac66e113a82},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Empire Health 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.
Empire Health Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?