Forest Foundation
Forest Foundation is a private foundation based in Tacoma, Washington. It supports well-managed nonprofit organizations and citizen initiatives working to strengthen quality of life in Southwest Washington, with particular emphasis on Tacoma and Pierce County.
Forest Foundation at a glance
In short: Forest Foundation gave $1.0M across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Washington. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,009,000
- +4.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- -8.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,018
- +14.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $19,482,818
- -5.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (11 of 53, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% 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 Forest Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a two-stage process. Applicants may submit a Stage One request, described on the filing as a letter of inquiry submitted through the online application process. If invited after Stage One approval, applicants receive instructions for submitting a Stage Two request. The Foundation generally does not favor requests for annual appeals, debt retirement, endowments, individuals, private or operating foundations, school-related tours, or producing films, videos, or publications. It does not fund lobbying or efforts to influence elections or legislation, and it does not accept requests for new facility construction. Its website allows proposals for smaller capital items and equipment supporting ongoing operations or organizational effectiveness.
- Review Cycle
- For program, project, or general operating support, Stage One requests are due January 31 for organizations whose fiscal year ends July–December, and July 31 for organizations whose fiscal year ends January–June or whose work aligns with the school year. Special-event and camp requests are due March 31 for events or camps taking place May–October, and September 30 for those taking place November–April. Capital-project Stage One requests are due March 31 or September 30.
- Deadline
- For program, project, or general operating support, Stage One requests are due January 31 for organizations whose…
- Contact
Application contact: Applications Should Be Submitted On
Mailing address: 1250 Pacific Avenue Suite 870, Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 627-1634
Website: https://forestfound.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 Forest Foundation
Forest Foundation: Capital Projects Grant
Forest Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Forest Foundation: Program, Project or General Operating Support Grant
Forest Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Forest Foundation: Special Events & Camps Grant
Forest Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Forest Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Washington Foundation ($100K). Together the top 10 received $525K.
Grant Size Distribution
297 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 271 grants of 297 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated geographic focus is Southwest Washington, with particular emphasis on Tacoma and Pierce County. Its eligibility guidelines name Clallam, Cowlitz, Clark, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties. Grants outside Pierce County are limited to capital projects. The guidelines also emphasize Washington- and Oregon-based agencies and projects within the same geographic boundary. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Forest Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 53 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 66% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $963K (2024) to $1.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Washington Foundation Seattle, WA | Operating - diabetes adolescent and yound adult program at uw medicine | $100,000 |
| Museum of Glass Tacoma, WA | General Operating Support | $70,000 |
| Mary Bridge Childrens Foundation Tacoma, WA | Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Capital Campaign | $50,000 |
| Seattle Symphony Seattle, WA | Benaroya Hall Public Spaces Improvements Project | $50,000 |
| Tacoma Art Museum Tacoma, WA | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Virginia Mason Foundation Seattle, WA | Operating - postdoctoral fellowship in systems immunology at benaroya research institute | $50,000 |
| Grand Tacoma Cine Club Tacoma, WA | Purchase of Merlino Arts Center Building | $40,000 |
| Tacoma Arts Live Tacoma, WA | General Operating Support | $35,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound Tacoma, WA | General Operating Support | $30,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Tacoma Pierce County Tacoma, WA | Building Hope Capital Campaign | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Forest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $19,482,818 | $302,242 | $1,477,035 | $1,009,000 | 56 | $1,403,693 | $369,530 | $1,394,119 |
| 2024 | $20,596,303 | $147,813 | $1,453,828 | $963,000 | 61 | $1,361,505 | $151,815 | $1,339,224 |
| 2023 | $21,543,055 | $280,754 | $1,713,965 | $1,170,100 | 61 | $1,581,864 | $886,169 | $1,350,591 |
| 2022 | $22,600,955 | $1,871,838 | $1,515,875 | $987,800 | 60 | $1,374,755 | $3,466,416 | $1,494,252 |
| 2021 | $21,917,067 | $2,375,241 | $1,586,135 | $1,001,500 | 59 | — | $1,213,933 | $1,447,228 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Forest Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M 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
The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen and enrich quality of life in Southwest Washington, particularly Tacoma and Pierce County. It says it supports organizations and citizen initiatives that achieve measurable, high-quality results, and values accountability, transparency, innovative solutions, planning and evaluation, strategic alliances, and diverse leadership.
Its website describes support for children’s safety and well-being; environmental restoration and conservation; civic engagement and community development; accessible cultural and artistic experiences; and assistance that helps families meet basic needs and move toward greater self-sufficiency. Its eligibility guidelines say grants are for organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) that are not private foundations under Section 509(a).
Examples of funded organizations illustrate the range of recipients. The University of Washington Foundation, which received $100,000 in 2025, says it facilitates private contributions for the benefit of the University of Washington. Museum of Glass, awarded $70,000, describes its mission as igniting creativity, fueling discovery, and enriching lives through glass and glassmaking. Tacoma Art Museum, awarded $50,000, says it shares art to inspire broader perspectives and cultivate a compassionate future. Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation, also awarded $50,000, describes its mission as partnering for healing and a healthy future through philanthropy.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Foundation reported 56 grants totaling $1,009,000. Awards ranged from $1,500 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. Examples include $50,000 to Seattle Symphony for Benaroya Hall public-spaces improvements, $40,000 to Grand Tacoma Cine Club for the purchase of the Merlino Arts Center building, $35,000 to Tacoma Arts Live for general operating support, and $30,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound for general operating support. Other 2025 awards included $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity Tacoma-Pierce County for its Building Hope capital campaign and $25,000 to Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center for its Healing Headquarters campaign.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gail T. Weyerhaeuser as president and treasurer; Brian F. Boyd as executive director; William T. Weyerhaeuser and W. Drew Weyerhaeuser as directors; Benjamin D. Weyerhaeuser as vice president; and John Keolker as secretary.
Forest Foundation is led by Gail T. Weyerhaeuser, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2021; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gail T. Weyerhaeuser
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$25K (2021) → $25K (2025)
Brian F. Boyd
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
W. Drew Weyerhaeuser
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William T. Weyerhaeuser
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin D. Weyerhaeuser
Vice President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Keolker
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $25K, to Gail T Weyerhaeuser (President, Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about Forest Foundation
How much does Forest Foundation give each year?
Forest Foundation gave $1.0M across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $963K across 61 grants.
What is Forest Foundation's typical grant size?
Forest Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $18,018, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Forest Foundation that year got $25K on average.
Where does Forest Foundation give grants?
Forest Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tacoma, WA (38 grants), Seattle, WA (9 grants) and Puyallup, WA (2 grants).
Does Forest Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 82% of Forest Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 56) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Forest Foundation's largest grantees?
Forest Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Washington Foundation ($100,000), Museum of Glass ($80,000 across 2 grants) and Mary Bridge Childrens Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Forest Foundation?
Forest Foundation reported $19.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Forest Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen and enrich quality of life in Southwest Washington, particularly Tacoma and Pierce County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Forest Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a two-stage process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Forest Foundation's EIN?
Forest Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-6020514. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Forest Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Forest Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Forest Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/forest-foundation-morg_21d041e123e749d3ac8ecc710958a394
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_916020514_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Forest Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/forest-foundation-morg_21d041e123e749d3ac8ecc710958a394},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Forest 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.
Forest Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?