Harry and Masie Masto Foundation
The Harry and Masie Masto Foundation is a 501(c)(3) family foundation rooted in the Japanese-American community. Established in 1981, the foundation is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and justice by investing in grassroots social change. The foundation maintains offices in Seattle, Washington.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.4M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$546K
-5.8% YoY
Grant Count
44
+2.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-7.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harry and Masie Masto Foundation reported a distributable amount of $408K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to promote diversity, equity, and justice by investing in grassroots social change. The foundation operates with a commitment to liberation of all oppressed communities, with stated focus areas including:
- Black Lives Matter and racial justice
- Asian communities and freedom from violence
- Native American communities and support
- Immigrant dignity and rights
- LGBTQ+ rights and full participation
- Accessibility and equal access for individuals with different abilities
- Women and girls' resources and self-determination
Recent grantmaking has supported initiatives including the Georgia Initiative, the Trust Black Women Initiative, the Urban Indian Health Initiative, and the Tsuru for Solidarity March on Washington.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 22 grants in the most recent reporting year, with total giving of $579,363. Recent grants have ranged from approximately $22,000 to $52,000, including support to organizations such as:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation is based in Seattle, Washington, its grantmaking extends beyond the Pacific Northwest. Recent grants have supported work in Japan, the Bay Area, and nationally focused initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,383,899
- Total Revenues: $242,382
- Total Expenses: $1,006,713
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $8,107,247
- Total Revenues: $496,000
- Total Expenses: $974,000
The foundation maintains zero employees and operates as a private foundation.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,383,899 | $8,107,247 | $7,349,533 |
| Revenue | $242,382 | $496,288 | $1,943,183 |
| Expenses | $1,006,713 | $974,175 | $912,582 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $859,253 | $844,981 | $709,938 |
| Net Investment Income | $168,962 | $436,172 | $1,811,318 |
| Distributable Amount | $407,991 | $382,844 | $360,933 |
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
171 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mufg Union Bank Cares Fund ($52,360), Tides Foundation ($36,333), Possibility Labs ($26,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN AMERICAN FUTURES IRVINE, CA | TO SUPPORT ASIAN AMERICAN FUTURES "IMAGINE INITIATIVE" | $20,000 |
| ASIAN AMERICAN-PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN PHILANTHROPY OAKLAND, CA | AAPIP EXPANDS FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR AAPI COMMUNITIES THROUGH ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP AND PHILANTHROPIC COLLABORATION | $20,000 |
| ASTRAEA FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT ASTRAEA'S US FUND FOR CRISIS PREPARATION | $10,000 |
| CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICS EDUCATION FUND OAKLAND, CA | QUEER CRESCENT - SUPPORT OF LGBTQ+ MUSLIMS THROUGH HEALING, ADVOCACY AND EMPOWERMENT | $1,250 |
| CHINESE FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOR LAVENDER PHOENIX'S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE LIBERATION FOR LGBTQ+API COMMUNITIES | $16,500 |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES OAKLAND, CA | TSURU FOR SOLIDARITY DIRECT ACTION PROJECTS WORKING TO END DETENTION SITES AND SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS | $16,500 |
| DENSHO SEATTLE, WA | TO SHARE HISTORY OF THE WWII INCARCERATION WITH JAPANESE AMERICANS TO PROMOTE EQUITY AND JUSTICE | $15,000 |
| DONORS OF COLOR NETWORK INC BEAVERTON, OR | TO SUPPORT DOCN'S CROSS-NACIAL NETWORK OF DONORS ADVANCING JUSTICE | $10,000 |
| FRIENDS OF MAJAL INC MESA, AZ | TO SUPPORT AN ARAB LANGUAGE PLATFORM AND ONLINE COMMUNITY FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST | $10,000 |
| FRIENDS OF MINIDOKA INC TWIN FALLS, ID | TO ENGAGE IN AND SUPPORT EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF WWII INCARCERATION | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
A. Sparks serves as Executive Director of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allison Sparks | Executive Dir | 35 | $191,000 |
| Sherrie Sparks | Pres, Trustee | 2 | — |
| Tiffany Sparks | Trustee | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Harry and Masie Masto Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to promote diversity, equity, and justice by investing in grassroots social change. The foundation operates with a commitment to liberation of all oppressed communities, with stated focus areas including: • Black Lives Matter and racial justice • Asian communities and freedom from violence • Native American communities and support • Immigrant dignity and rights • LGBTQ+ rights and full participation • Accessibility and equal access for individuals with different abil…
How do I apply for a grant from Harry and Masie Masto Foundation?
The foundation made 22 grants in the most recent reporting year, with total giving of $579,363. Recent grants have ranged from approximately $22,000 to $52,000, including support to organizations such as: • Mufg Union Bank Cares Fund (same-sex marriage education and advocacy in Japan) • Possibility Labs (Moonsoon Venture Capital Fund for Indigenous Women) • Kultivate Labs (Koho Arts and Culture Center in Japantown) • Tides Foundation The foundation also supports grantees working on various soci…
Where does Harry and Masie Masto Foundation make grants?
While the foundation is based in Seattle, Washington, its grantmaking extends beyond the Pacific Northwest. Recent grants have supported work in Japan, the Bay Area, and nationally focused initiatives.
What size grants does Harry and Masie Masto Foundation award?
In 2024, Harry and Masie Masto Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $546K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Harry and Masie Masto Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Harry and Masie Masto Foundation reported a distributable amount of $408K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's EIN?
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1117863. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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