Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-
The Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Tacoma, Washington. Established in 2000 by Gary and Carol Milgard, the foundation was inspired by MGCAT, a community action giving program created through the Milgard window business. In 2016, the original foundation restructured into four distinct legacy foundations—Ruth Foundation, Skylight Foundation, Whisper Foundation, and Windows of Hope Foundation—each representing the individual passions and interests of board members while preserving the family's core values.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$37.3M
+8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-3.8% YoY
Grant Count
68
+9.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-12.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The original mission statement, created by Gary, Carol, and their three children (Cari, Lori, and Mark), guides all four legacy foundations: to support a wide variety of organizations that strengthen communities.
Each legacy foundation focuses on distinct areas:
- Ruth Foundation: Animal welfare and marine life preservation
- Skylight Foundation: Well-managed programs and projects serving the greater Los Angeles area community
- Whisper Foundation: Well-managed organizations working to improve quality of life and create positive change
- Windows of Hope Foundation: Organizations in Pierce County working toward community betterment
The foundation also supports youth STEAM education, youth host home programs, women-centered support services, and general operating support for nonprofits.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains an application process with FAQs available on their website for organizations interested in applying for grants.
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Pierce County, Washington (primary focus for Windows of Hope Foundation)
- Tacoma and Lakewood, Washington (historical community base)
- Greater Los Angeles area (Skylight Foundation)
- Washington, Pennsylvania, and Oregon (broader geographic reach noted in recent filings)
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving (2023):
- Total assets: $34,587,149 to $37,347,998
- Total distributions: $1.7 million
- Total revenues: $1,149,894
- Total expenses: $1,788,017
- Number of employees: 1
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) private foundation
- Tax-exempt since April 2016
- EIN: 81-1315385
- Most recent tax filing: December 2023
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,347,998 | $34,587,149 | $31,882,526 |
| Revenue | $2,911,109 | $1,149,894 | $1,260,967 |
| Expenses | $1,807,263 | $1,788,017 | $2,023,415 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,669,643 | $1,677,513 | $1,920,230 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,233,094 | $997,687 | $1,218,412 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,749,097 | $1,615,856 | $1,689,815 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-
Gary E. Milgard Family Foundations Grants
GARY E MILGARD FAMILY FOUNDATION-
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ruth Foundation Grant
GARY E MILGARD FAMILY FOUNDATION-
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Skylight Foundation Grant
GARY E MILGARD FAMILY FOUNDATION-
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Donorschooseorg ($140,000), Cal Ripken Sr Foundation ($50,000), Associated Ministries of Tacoma-pierce Co ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A STEP AHEAD IN PIERCE COUNTY PUYALLUP, WA | BOOST | $20,000 |
| AAUW-WA SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND GIG HARBOR, WA | TECH TREK GIG HARBOR | $4,650 |
| ADVOCATES TO IMMIGRANTS IN DETENTION NW TACOMA, WA | WELCOME CENTER PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| ASSOCIATED MINISTRIES OF TACOMA-PIERCE CO TACOMA, WA | SHARED HOUSING SERVICES | $35,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS BELLEVUE, WA | AI TOOL YOUTH/MENTOR MATCHES | $25,000 |
| BIRTHDAY DREAMS RENTON, WA | BIRTHDAY SMILES PROGRAM | $7,500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF S PUGET SOUND TACOMA, WA | 2024 LEGACY OF HOPE | $10,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF S PUGET SOUND TACOMA, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
| CAL RIPKEN SR FOUNDATION PHILADELPHIA, PA | UNIVERSITY PLACE PARKS & REC FOUND | $50,000 |
| CAMP KOREY MOUNT VERNON, WA | CAMP PROGRAMS | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation-Sunshine (Primary Entity):
- Christine Zemanek: President & Treasurer (10 hours/week, $22,000 compensation)
- Tyler Zemanek: Vice President (40 hours/week, $139,000 compensation)
- Dana Howerton: Secretary (4.5 hours/week, $11,000 compensation)
- Lori Milgard: Director (20 hours/week, no compensation)
Registered Agent:
- Trev Cookson
Family Leadership: The foundation is led by the Milgard family, including Gary and Carol's three children—Cari, Lori, and Mark—and their grandchildren: Kasey, Kirby, Scott, and Lindsay. The family remains united by shared values and interests in continuing their parents' philanthropic legacy.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTINE ZEMANEK | PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 20 | $29,283 |
| TYLER ZEMANEK | VP | 20 | $158,696 |
| DANA HOWERTON | SECRETARY | 4.5 | $11,851 |
| LORI MILGARD | DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking with four operational legacy foundations. Recent highlighted partnerships include:
**Toy Rescue Mission**: The foundation supports this organization's mission to provide toys, supplies, and gifts to low-income families for birthdays, holidays, and back-to-school needs. The program also serves seniors in assisted living and nursing homes.
**People for Animal Care & Kindness (P.A.C.K.)**: The foundation partners with this animal welfare organization, which provides financial aid to pet owners (seniors, low-income, and unhoused individuals) for veterinary care and operates a foster-based dog rescue program.
The foundation maintains an active grant application process and continues to engage the next generation of the Milgard family in philanthropic decision-making through the restructured legacy foundation model.
Milgard Family Foundation Makes $25,000 Gift to Summer Academic ChallengeSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- fund?
The original mission statement, created by Gary, Carol, and their three children (Cari, Lori, and Mark), guides all four legacy foundations: to support a wide variety of organizations that strengthen communities. Each legacy foundation focuses on distinct areas: • **Ruth Foundation**: Animal welfare and marine life preservation • **Skylight Foundation**: Well-managed programs and projects serving the greater Los Angeles area community • **Whisper Foundation**: Well-managed organizations working…
How do I apply for a grant from Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-?
**Grant Sizes and Activity:** • Typical grant awards range from $2,100 to $140,000 • Median grant size: $20,000 • Maximum grant observed: $120,000 • The foundation made 62 grants in 2023, with 69 grants made in the most recent reporting year **Recent Grants (2023):** • Tacoma Youth For Christ (YFC): $40,000 for Program Site Expenses • Tacoma Parks Foundation: $40,000 for Whole Child Safe Zones • Asia Pacific Cultural Center: $35,000 for Senior Services Programming **Application Process:** The f…
Where does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Pierce County, Washington (primary focus for Windows of Hope Foundation) • Tacoma and Lakewood, Washington (historical community base) • Greater Los Angeles area (Skylight Foundation) • Washington, Pennsylvania, and Oregon (broader geographic reach noted in recent filings)
What size grants does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- award?
In 2024, Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- awarded 68 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s EIN?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1315385. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
TACOMA, WA
Assets
$185.7M
Grants
189
Total Given
$18.3M
Fuchsg & M Fdn Tai
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
$24.0M
Grants
96
Total Given
$1.4M
The Norcliffe Foundation
SEATTLE, WA
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
586
Total Given
$40.5M
Woodworth Family Foundation
TACOMA, WA
Assets
$26.7M
Grants
58
Total Given
$1.6M
The Bamford Foundation
TACOMA, WA
Assets
$24.6M
Grants
156
Total Given
$1.5M
Kilworth Florence Char Tr Fndn
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
$6.3M
Grants
90
Total Given
$532K
Seattle Foundation
SEATTLE, WA
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
5,379
Total Given
$177.9M
Puget Sound Energy Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$19.6M
Grants
451
Total Given
$1.2M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
SAINT LOUIS, MO
Assets
—
Grants
9,499
Total Given
$73.1M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- to a real strategy.