Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark
The Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark is a private foundation based in Tacoma, Washington. The Milgard family foundation website says its legacy foundations support a wide variety of nonprofit organizations serving their communities; this foundation’s stated approach is to support well-managed nonprofit projects and programs focused on community health and quality of life.
Key facts about Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark
In short: Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark gave $4.9M across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $109K), mostly in Washington. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 81-1386818
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,900,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- Average grant
- $108,889
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (13 of 44, 2024)
- Total assets
- $120,490,026
- Primary geography
- Washington (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Submit an LOI through the online process. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- There is no deadline for submitting an LOI or application.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$120.5M
+7.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.9M
-1.1% YoY
Grant Count
45
+21.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$109K
-18.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark reported a distributable amount of $5.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 44 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $67K; repeat grants $130K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $55K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes support for well-managed nonprofit projects and programs focused on community health, improving quality of life, and creating positive change. Its 2024 grants show support for animal welfare and rescue, marine-life research and conservation, youth programs, and social services.
Grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Pasado’s Safe Haven says it works to end animal cruelty and create a more compassionate world. Ginger’s Pet Rescue describes its work as rescuing and sheltering abandoned and stray dogs and other pets. Dog Is My Copilot says it transports at-risk animals from overcrowded shelters to adoption centers. The Center for Whale Research describes its work as preparing and publishing investigative reports on marine mammals.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 45 grants totaling $4,900,000. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $1,200,000, with a median of $50,000.
Review Cycle
There is no deadline for submitting an LOI or application. The website advises allowing 12–16 weeks for a response and says new application submissions generally close by mid-November.
How to Apply
starts with an online eligibility quiz and letter of inquiry (LOI). The board reviews LOIs on an ongoing basis; applicants whose LOIs are approved are invited to submit a full application. A one-time access code, available only with prior board approval, allows an applicant to skip the eligibility section. The foundation’s stated restrictions include ineligibility for annual funds, galas and other special-event fundraising; sectarian religious activities; debt reduction; political lobbying or legislative activities; and organizations that discriminate on specified grounds. Applicants must qualify as tax-exempt organizations under the Internal Revenue Code.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to Washington recipients, 4% to Wyoming, 2% to Tennessee, 1% to Georgia, and 0% to California. The foundation’s website describes animal welfare and marine-life preservation support among the priorities of the Ruth Foundation, and describes Windows of Hope as serving Pierce County. The filing’s grants also show support for organizations in Washington and Wyoming.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 45 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.2M (2020) to $5.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 45 grants totaling $4.9M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Humane Society - Tacoma & Pierce CO ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
205 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 205 (35%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Humane Society - Tacoma & Pierce CO Tacoma, WA | 2024-2025 Programs & Services | $1,200,000 |
| Pasado's Safe Haven Sultan, WA | Pierce County Hqhvsn Clinics | $405,900 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound Tacoma, WA | Operations/Teen Mental Health | $400,000 |
| Tacoma Rescue Mission Tacoma, WA | Breakfast Meals Program | $310,000 |
| Ginger's Pet Rescue Federal Way, WA | RESCUE 2024 | $250,000 |
| Forgotten Dogs Rescue Seattle, WA | Medical Care Dogs Wa State | $225,000 |
| Dog Is My Copilot Jackson, WY | Animal Transport Operations | $175,000 |
| Auburn Valley Humane Society Auburn, WA | NWSNC Subsidy/Assistance Programs | $160,000 |
| Paws Lynnwood, WA | Wildlife Rehab Ctr | $125,000 |
| The Noah Center Stanwood, WA | Spay & Neuter Clinic Program | $125,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $120,490,026 | $8,534,200 | $5,957,266 | $4,900,000 |
| 2023 | $112,655,074 | $4,556,843 | $5,904,403 | $4,952,068 |
| 2022 | $104,161,836 | $5,193,574 | $6,733,774 | $5,700,000 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $120,490,026 | $112,655,074 | $104,161,836 |
| Revenue | $8,534,200 | $4,556,843 | $5,193,574 |
| Expenses | $5,957,266 | $5,904,403 | $6,733,774 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,258,340 | $5,298,908 | $6,104,676 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,797,487 | $3,998,056 | $4,427,383 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,717,173 | $5,279,479 | $5,475,229 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mark Milgard as president and treasurer, Ashley Roberts as secretary, Harold Berry as executive director, and Jill Berry as secretary.
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark is led by Mark Milgard, President & Treasurer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mark Milgard
President & Treasurer
Secretary → Secretary President & Treasurer, 2021
Secretary President & Treasurer → President & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$600 (2023) → $600 (2024)
Harold Berry
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$82K (2022) → $103K (2024)
Jill Berry
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$65K (2021) → $0 (2024)
Ashley Roberts
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Christine Zemanek (2020–2021) — President & Treasurer
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 $103K, to Harold Berry (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Exclusively Accepted Online Via Www
Mailing address: 1701 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA 98042
Phone: (253) 274-0121
Website: https://www.garymilgardfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark
How much does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark give each year?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark gave $4.9M across 45 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.0M across 37 grants.
What is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark's typical grant size?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $108,889, across 45 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark that year got $67K on average.
Where does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark give grants?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark gives mostly in Washington: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tacoma, WA (5 grants), Seattle, WA (5 grants), Olympia, WA (3 grants) and Bellevue, WA (2 grants).
Does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 45) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark's largest grantees?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark's largest 2024 grantees include The Humane Society - Tacoma & Pierce CO ($1,200,000), Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound ($450,100 across 2 grants) and Pasado's Safe Haven ($405,900), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark reported $120.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark fund?
The foundation’s website describes support for well-managed nonprofit projects and programs focused on community health, improving quality of life, and creating positive change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark?
Submit an LOI through the online process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark's EIN?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1386818. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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