James M Lea Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SEATTLE, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 16 grants totaling $1.3M. Net investment income was $32K.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-6.1% YoY
Grant Count
16
-15.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
+11.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James M Lea Foundation reported a distributable amount of $33K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About James M Lea Foundation
Based on IRS filings
James M Lea Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SEATTLE, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 16 grants totaling $1.3M. Net investment income was $32K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $1,224,688 | $2,377,375 |
| Revenue | $34,180 | $198,809 | $236,789 |
| Expenses | $1,258,868 | $1,350,700 | $1,197,675 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,257,178 | $1,346,295 | $1,190,884 |
| Net Investment Income | $32,490 | $194,404 | $229,997 |
| Distributable Amount | $32,613 | $95,518 | $164,179 |
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 2023
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Washington National Park Fund ($300,000), Washington Trails Association ($200,000), Conservation Nw ($168,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CONSERVATION NW SEATTLE, WA | TO FUND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS. | $168,000 |
| FOSS WATERWAY SEAPORT TACOMA, WA | TO FUND THE "SCIENCE ON THE SEA PROGRAM AND "ECO-KAYAKING PROGRAM" | $65,000 |
| INVEST IN YOUTH SEATTLE, WA | TO SUPPORT SCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAM | $3,000 |
| ST JAMES CATHEDRAL SEATTLE, WA | TO SUPPORT DOWNTOWN OUTREACH MINISTRIES TO THE POOR, HOMELESS AND MARGINALIZED | $3,000 |
| TACOMA YOUTH MARINE FDN TACOMA, WA | TO PROVIDE MARINE RELATED TRAINIG PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH | $3,000 |
| THE ZOO SOCIETY TACOMA, WA | TO SUPPORT LOW LNCOME SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS. | $30,000 |
| UNIV OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION SEATTLE, WA | TO SUPPORT THE ENGINEERING ACADEMIC CENTER ENDOWED FUND, EAC STAFF SUPPORT, 2020 SUMMER WISE-UP BRIDGE PROGRAM; AND EAC UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS. | $140,000 |
| WASHINGTON NATIONAL PARK FUND SEATTLE, WA | PRESERVE NATIONAL PARKS IN WASHINGTON | $300,000 |
| WASHINGTON TRAILS ASSOCIATION SEATTLE, WA | TO SUPPORT WASHINGTON TRAILS ASSOCIATION'S YOUTH PROGRAMS. | $200,000 |
| WOODLAND PARK ZOO SEATTLE, WA | TO SUPPORT THE ZOO CORP YOUTH PROGRAM AND THE LIVING NORTHWEST CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING ENDANGERED SPECIES RECOVERY; EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION ACTION; AND WILDLIFE SCIENCE. | $85,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN KECKEMET | PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| SANDRA PRINCE | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| MARY ANNE PETESCH | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER MASON | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| CHARLES FREVERT | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is James M Lea Foundation?
James M Lea Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SEATTLE, WA. It holds — in total assets as of 2023.
Where does James M Lea Foundation operate?
James M Lea Foundation has awarded grants in California, Oregon, Washington.
What size grants does James M Lea Foundation award?
In 2023, James M Lea Foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is James M Lea Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, James M Lea Foundation reported a distributable amount of $33K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is James M Lea Foundation's EIN?
James M Lea Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1949537. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James M Lea Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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