Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-
The Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation- is a private foundation based in Tacoma, Washington. Established in 2000, it grew from a family community-giving effort and reorganized in 2016 into four legacy foundations: Ruth, Skylight, Whisper, and Windows of Hope. The family’s stated goal is to support a wide variety of organizations serving their communities.
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- at a glance
In short: Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- gave $1.4M across 69 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Washington. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,410,400
- +8.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 69
- +1.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,441
- +6.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $41,342,236
- +10.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (19 of 67, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Washington (85% 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 Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website directs applicants to create an account in its online grant portal, complete an eligibility quiz, and submit a letter of inquiry (LOI) to the appropriate foundation. The LOI is reviewed first; applicants invited to proceed are notified by email and submit a full application through the portal. Eligibility requires tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code. Ineligible requests include annual funds, galas and other special-event fundraising; sectarian religious activities; political lobbying or legislative activities; and organizations that discriminate on specified grounds. The filing also lists debt reduction as ineligible. The website says organizations generally may apply once per calendar year unless otherwise approved.
- Review Cycle
- There is no deadline for submitting an LOI. The website says LOIs and applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and asks applicants to allow 12–16 weeks for a response. It also says new application submissions generally close by mid-November.
- Deadline
- There is no deadline for submitting an LOI.
- Contact
Application contact: Exclusively Accepted Online Via Www
Mailing address: 1701 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 274-0121
Website: https://garymilgardfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
Ruth Foundation Grant
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Skylight Foundation Grant
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Donorschooseorg ($134K). Together the top 10 received $478K.
Grant Size Distribution
327 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 317 grants of 327 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Tacoma, Washington. Its 2025 grant dollars went primarily to Washington recipients (85%), with 9% to Pennsylvania, 4% to California, and 2% to Massachusetts. The legacy foundations’ stated service areas include Pierce County, Washington, for Windows of Hope and Whisper; primarily Pierce County for Ruth; and the greater Los Angeles area for Skylight.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 19 of 67 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 45% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−12%). Method
- In 2025 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 (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2020) to $1.6M (2022). In 2025 it made 69 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Donorschooseorg Philadelphia, PA | Pierce County Teachers | $133,625 |
| Asia Pacific Cultural Center Tacoma, WA | Nourish & Flourish Senior | $50,000 |
| Tacoma Community House Tacoma, WA | Fulfilling the American Promise | $50,000 |
| The Trust for Public Land Los Angeles, CA | Wa Parks for People-Pierce CO. | $50,000 |
| Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce CO Tacoma, WA | Shared Housing Services | $35,000 |
| Multicultural Child & Family Hope Center Tacoma, WA | Miles That Matter: New Bus | $35,000 |
| Santa's Castle Joint Base Lewis McCho, WA | Annual Toy Collection | $32,000 |
| Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy Puyallup, WA | General Operating | $32,000 |
| Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region Tacoma, WA | Senior Employment Program-Pierce | $30,000 |
| Puyallup Valley St Francis House Puyallup, WA | General Operating/Programs | $30,000 |
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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 | $41,342,236 | $2,327,067 | $1,904,950 | $1,410,400 | 69 | $1,756,917 | $3,535,937 | $1,908,668 |
| 2024 | $37,347,998 | $2,911,109 | $1,807,263 | $1,300,894 | 68 | $1,669,643 | $3,233,094 | $1,749,097 |
| 2023 | $34,587,149 | $1,149,894 | $1,788,017 | $1,351,800 | 62 | $1,677,513 | $997,687 | $1,615,856 |
| 2022 | $31,882,526 | $1,260,967 | $2,023,415 | $1,600,396 | 70 | $1,920,230 | $1,218,412 | $1,689,815 |
| 2021 | $39,754,398 | $1,591,645 | $1,660,350 | $1,250,395 | 58 | $1,557,297 | $1,478,966 | $1,855,013 |
| 2020 | $36,018,287 | $1,904,074 | $1,400,639 | $1,000,496 | 53 | — | $1,391,728 | $1,623,052 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- reported a distributable amount of $1.9M 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 family foundation’s stated goal is to support a wide variety of organizations that serve their communities. Windows of Hope focuses on improving quality of life in Pierce County, with priorities that include social services, senior services, youth, homelessness, health and wellness, and education. Ruth supports direct services for animal welfare and marine life preservation, as well as some pre-selected homelessness and youth initiatives. Skylight supports well-managed programs and projects serving the greater Los Angeles area. Whisper supports Pierce County organizations working to improve quality of life and impact positive change; its stated priorities include animal welfare, education, health, and social services.
The 2025 grants included organizations with varied community-service missions. Tacoma Community House describes its work as creating opportunities for immigrants, refugees, and other community members through services focused on self-sufficiency, inclusion, and advocacy. Puyallup Valley St. Francis House says it provides clothing, food, and emergency assistance to low-income households in East Pierce County. Sibling Strong describes its work as bringing together siblings separated through foster or other out-of-home care for camps and events that support their connection and well-being.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 69 grants totaling $1,410,400. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $133,625, with a median grant of $15,000. Windows of Hope states that it considers requests up to $50,000.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $133,625 to DonorsChoose.org for Pierce County teachers; $50,000 each to Asia Pacific Cultural Center for Nourish & Flourish Senior, Tacoma Community House for Fulfilling the American Promise, and The Trust for Public Land for Washington Parks for People–Pierce County; and $35,000 each to Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County for Shared Housing Services and Multicultural Child & Family Hope Center for Miles That Matter: New Bus. Other notable awards included $32,000 to Santa’s Castle for its annual toy collection and $30,000 each to Puyallup Valley St. Francis House for general operating/programs and Sibling Strong for its Pierce County program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christine Zemanek as president and treasurer, Tyler Zemanek as vice president, Dana Howerton as secretary, and Lori Milgard as director.
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- is led by Christine Zemanek, President & Treasurer since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christine Zemanek
President & Treasurer
President & CEO → President & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $22K (2025)
Lori Milgard
Director
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dana Howerton
Secretary
On filings since 2020
4.5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $12K (2025)
Tyler Zemanek
Vice President
Executive Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$137K (2020) → $155K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $155K, to Tyler Zemanek (VP). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-
How much does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- give each year?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- gave $1.4M across 69 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 68 grants.
What is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s typical grant size?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $20,441, across 69 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- that year got $14K on average.
Where does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- give grants?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- gives mostly in Washington: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Pennsylvania (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tacoma, WA (32 grants), Puyallup, WA (8 grants), Seattle, WA (6 grants) and Gig Harbor, WA (3 grants).
Does Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 69) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s largest grantees?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s largest 2025 grantees include Donorschooseorg ($133,625), Asia Pacific Cultural Center ($50,000) and Tacoma Community House ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-?
Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- reported $41.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (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- fund?
The family foundation’s stated goal is to support a wide variety of organizations that serve their communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-?
The foundation’s website directs applicants to create an account in its online grant portal, complete an eligibility quiz, and submit a letter of inquiry (LOI) to the appropriate foundation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gary E Milgard Family Foundation-'s focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gary-e-milgard-family-foundation-morg_2f0787f1a46c43fe8904754024f7b926
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_811315385_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gary E Milgard Family Foundation- funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gary-e-milgard-family-foundation-morg_2f0787f1a46c43fe8904754024f7b926},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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-'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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