Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark logo

Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark

Private foundation · Grantmaker Tacoma, WA EIN: 81-1386818 Website

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.

Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark at a glance

In short: Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark gave $4.9M across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $109K), mostly in Washington. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$4,900,000
-1.1% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
45
+21.6% vs 2023
Average grant
$108,889
-18.6% vs 2023
Median grant
$50,000
Total assets
$120,490,026
+7.0% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
27% first-time grantees (12 of 44, 2024)
Primary geography
Washington (93% 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 Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark

How to Apply

Submit an LOI through the online process. If approved, complete and submit the full application online.

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.
Deadline
There is no deadline for submitting an LOI or application.
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

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

The Humane Society - Tacoma & Pierce CO: $1.2MThe Humane Society - Tacoma &Pierce CO$1.2MBoys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound: $450K across 2 grantsBoys & Girls Clubs of SouthPuget Sound$450K · 2 grantsPasado's Safe Haven: $406KPasado's Safe Haven$406KTacoma Rescue Mission: $310KTacoma Rescue Mission$310KGinger's Pet Rescue: $250KGinger's Pet Rescue$250KForgotten Dogs Rescue: $225KForgotten Dogs Rescue$225KDog Is My Copilot: $175KDog Is My Copilot$175KAuburn Valley Humane Society: $160KAuburn Valley Humane Society$160KPaws: $125KPaws$125KThe Noah Center: $125KThe Noah Center$125K

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

71<$50K55$50–100K58$100–250K11$250–500K6$500K–1M4$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 205 (35%).

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 less than 1% 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

10states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.

Cities

TacomaSeattleSultanGaithersburgJacksonArlingtonEnumclawFreelandFriday HarborLynnwoodSteilacoomAuburnRedmondFederal WayOlympiaPuyallupStanwoodAnacortesBellevueEvans

Is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark open to new grantees?

27%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 12 of 44 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $140K. How we count

Medians: $25K first-time, $58K repeat.

  • 59% 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.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M32 grants2020 36 grants2021 55 grants2022 37 grants2023 45 grants2024

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.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The Humane Society - Tacoma & Pierce CO Tacoma, WA2024-2025 Programs & Services$1,200,000
Pasado's Safe Haven Sultan, WAPierce County HQHVSN Clinics$405,900
Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound Tacoma, WAOperations/Teen Mental Health$400,000
Tacoma Rescue Mission Tacoma, WABreakfast Meals Program$310,000
Ginger's Pet Rescue Federal Way, WARESCUE 2024$250,000
Forgotten Dogs Rescue Seattle, WAMedical Care Dogs Wa State$225,000
Dog Is My Copilot Jackson, WYAnimal Transport Operations$175,000
Auburn Valley Humane Society Auburn, WANWSNC Subsidy/Assistance Programs$160,000
Paws Lynnwood, WAWildlife Rehab Ctr$125,000
The Noah Center Stanwood, WASpay & Neuter Clinic Program$125,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$120,490,026$8,534,200$5,957,266$4,900,00045$5,258,340$10,797,487$5,717,173
2023$112,655,074$4,556,843$5,904,403$4,952,06837$5,298,908$3,998,056$5,279,479
2022$104,161,836$5,193,574$6,733,774$5,700,00055$6,104,676$4,427,383$5,475,229
2021$128,055,702$6,067,760$6,013,537$4,700,00036$5,130,015$5,258,692$5,948,696
2020$117,467,534$7,345,386$5,387,626$4,200,00032—$5,090,248$5,115,719

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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

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.

Among the largest awards were $1,200,000 to The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County for 2024–2025 programs and services; $405,900 to Pasado’s Safe Haven for Pierce County HQHVSN clinics; $400,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound for operations and teen mental health; and $310,000 to Tacoma Rescue Mission for its breakfast meals program. Other grants included $250,000 to Ginger’s Pet Rescue, $225,000 to Forgotten Dogs Rescue, and $175,000 to Dog Is My Copilot.

The application process 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.

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

Harold Berry — Executive Director: $103KHarold BerryExecutive Director$103KMark Milgard — President & Treasurer: $600Mark MilgardPresident & Treasurer$600

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $103K, to Harold Berry (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

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 $35K 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). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

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 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

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gary-e-milgard-family-foundation-mark-morg_faad8b30a4d34e3997f573365b483866

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_811386818_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/gary-e-milgard-family-foundation-mark-morg_faad8b30a4d34e3997f573365b483866},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Gary E Milgard Family Foundation - Mark'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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