Grousemont Foundation
Grousemont Foundation is a private family foundation based in Seattle, Washington. Created in the 1980s by Howard S. Wright, it supports Cascadian communities through grantmaking related to social justice, community needs, civic work, and the environment.
Grousemont Foundation at a glance
In short: Grousemont Foundation gave $10.2M across 179 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), mostly in Washington. 39% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,205,500
- -5.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 179
- +15.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $57,014
- -18.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $240,495,782
- +30.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (46 of 119, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (86% 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 Grousemont Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its application process is invitation-only; it says it actively seeks organizations aligned with its mission and values. To be eligible, applicants must be IRS-classified 501(c)(3) public charities or 170(c)(1) government instrumentalities.
- Contact
Mailing address: 601 Union Street 3315, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 323-3686
Website: https://grousemontfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Grousemont Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Seattle Center Foundation ($2.8M across 5 grants). Together the top 10 received $5.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
674 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 490 grants of 674 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says that, except for its International Cycle, its grants generally focus on the Puget Sound region. In 2024, Washington State received 86% of grant dollars; California received 3%, Massachusetts 3%, Connecticut 2%, and Nebraska 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 179 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Grousemont Foundation open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 46 of 119 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $66K; repeat grants $98K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 281% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.5M (2020) to $10.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 179 grants totaling $10.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Center Foundation Seattle, WA | Memorial Stadium Project | $1,250,000 |
| Seattle Center Foundation Seattle, WA | Memorial Stadium Project | $1,250,000 |
| Uw Brotherhoodsisterhood Initiative (No Regrets) Seattle, WA | Campaign for Expansion | $500,000 |
| Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition Seattle, WA | General & Unrestricted | $300,000 |
| Seattle Center Foundation Seattle, WA | Shaping Our Future Campaign | $300,000 |
| Washington Conservation Action Education Fund Seattle, WA | General & Unrestricted | $300,000 |
| The Center for Independent Documentary Inc (No Regrets) Newton, MA | Three Black Men Project | $250,000 |
| Tubman Center for Health & Freedom Seattle, WA | Capital Campaign | $250,000 |
| Woodland Park Zoological Society Seattle, WA | General & Unrestricted | $250,000 |
| Riverton Park United Methodist Church Tukwila, WA | Migrant Arrival Program | $210,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $240,495,782 | $20,516,729 | $17,425,497 | $10,205,500 | 179 | $11,121,353 | $19,635,864 | $11,698,892 |
| 2023 | $183,807,514 | $17,219,801 | $11,836,427 | $10,829,333 | 155 | $11,333,212 | $18,117,100 | $10,417,854 |
| 2022 | $178,424,140 | $122,040,702 | $10,584,913 | $9,439,667 | 144 | $9,845,266 | $28,275,860 | $7,509,565 |
| 2021 | $66,968,595 | $14,255,195 | $3,235,665 | $2,680,000 | 84 | $2,885,593 | $9,319,030 | $3,080,916 |
| 2020 | $55,911,377 | $15,079,857 | $2,926,576 | $2,501,992 | 112 | — | $12,530,722 | $2,509,472 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Grousemont Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.7M 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 stated mission is “A family of stewards resourcing communities to build a healthy and equitable Cascadia region.” Its grantmaking portfolios include Community Partners; Social Impact; Climate & Environmental Justice; and Civic Impact. The Community Partner portfolio provides three-year support across arts, education, environment, health, and human services. The foundation says its Social Impact grants support BIPOC community-rooted organizations, while its climate and environmental justice program supports projects addressing environmental injustices and climate impacts experienced by marginalized communities.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grantmaking. The Tubman Center for Health & Freedom says it addresses health and wellness through clinical and systemic approaches, providing care, community resources, social services, political education, and advocacy. Woodland Park Zoological Society says it saves wildlife and inspires conservation. Toxic-Free Future describes its work as using science, education, and activism to advance protections for people and the planet. Young Women Empowered says it supports diverse young women as creative leaders and changemakers.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 179 grants totaling $10,205,500. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $1,250,000, with a median of $25,000. Its largest reported grants included two $1,250,000 grants to Seattle Center Foundation for the Memorial Stadium Project; $500,000 to UW Brotherhood/Sisterhood Initiative for a campaign expansion; and $300,000 each to Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition and Washington Conservation Action Education Fund for general and unrestricted support. Seattle Center Foundation says it advocates for public and private support for Seattle Center capital and program improvements.
The foundation also reported grants of $250,000 to Tubman Center for Health & Freedom for a capital campaign and $250,000 to Woodland Park Zoological Society for general and unrestricted support. Its website highlights a $1 million unrestricted, multi-year grant to Community Passageways.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kyle Rolfe as president/director; Kate Janeway as director; Korynne Wright as director/secretary; Sally Wright as director/treasurer; Lauren Rolfe as director; and Sarah Hopper as executive director. The foundation’s website identifies Sarah Hopper as its Chief Executive Officer.
Grousemont Foundation is led by Sarah Hopper, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sarah Hopper
Executive Director
Foundation Manager → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
$52K (2023) → $52K (2024)
Kyle Rolfe
President & Director
Director & Treasurer → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sally S. Wright
Director & Treasurer
President & Director → Director & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$30K (2024)
Kate Janeway
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Korynne Wright
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Rolfe
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Claire McShane (2020–2023) — Director
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 $52K, to Sarah Hopper (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Grousemont Foundation
How much does Grousemont Foundation give each year?
Grousemont Foundation gave $10.2M across 179 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10.8M across 155 grants.
What is Grousemont Foundation's typical grant size?
Grousemont Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $57,014, across 179 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Grousemont Foundation that year got $66K on average.
Where does Grousemont Foundation give grants?
Grousemont Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (114 grants), Tukwila, WA (6 grants), San Francisco, CA (5 grants) and Bellevue, WA (5 grants).
Does Grousemont Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 62% of Grousemont Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (111 of 179) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Staff Wellness Support" (33 grants) and "Eastern Washington Programming" (3 grants).
Who are Grousemont Foundation's largest grantees?
Grousemont Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Seattle Center Foundation ($2,835,000 across 5 grants), Uw Brotherhoodsisterhood Initiative (No Regrets) ($500,000) and Tubman Center for Health & Freedom ($320,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Grousemont Foundation?
Grousemont Foundation reported $240.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $11.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11.7M (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 Grousemont Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “A family of stewards resourcing communities to build a healthy and equitable Cascadia region.” Its grantmaking portfolios include Community Partners; Social Impact; Climate & Environmental Justice; and Civic Impact. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grousemont Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Grousemont Foundation's EIN?
Grousemont Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1276047. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Grousemont Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Grousemont Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/grousemont-foundation-morg_42695f1b86184844a8f0a775fadc5493
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911276047_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Grousemont Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/grousemont-foundation-morg_42695f1b86184844a8f0a775fadc5493},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Grousemont 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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