Ken Birdwell Foundation
The Ken Birdwell Foundation, operating as Magic Cabinet, is a private foundation based in Bellevue, Washington. Founded by Ken Birdwell, it supports small to medium-sized nonprofits through participatory grantmaking and multi-year capacity-building funding, with a focus on community knowledge and long-term partnerships.
Ken Birdwell Foundation at a glance
In short: Ken Birdwell Foundation gave $13.9M across 280 grants in 2024 (avg $50K), top state California. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,925,488
- +11.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 280
- +37.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $49,734
- -18.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $19,404
- Total assets
- $147,191,046
- +47.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (15 of 79, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (49% 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 Ken Birdwell Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website describes an engagement process in which nonprofits are identified through community input and research, then invited to apply. Organizations completing the process receive an engagement grant and iCAT assessment results and become eligible for funded cohort grants. The cohort process includes supported meetings and training, and participating nonprofits collectively approve proposals for use of funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 555 110Th Ave Ne 700, Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 454-4919
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ken Birdwell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Native Americans in Philanthropy ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $5.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
924 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 585 grants of 924 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Magic Cabinet’s website identifies the Bay Area in California and the Puget Sound region of Washington as its cohort communities. In 2024, 49% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 44% to recipients in Washington; Michigan received 4% and Puerto Rico 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 280 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ken Birdwell Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 79 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $213K; repeat grants $168K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $169K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 142% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 400% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $3.2M (2020) to $13.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 280 grants totaling $13.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Native Americans in Philanthropy Los Angeles, CA | Capacity Building Support | $1,500,000 |
| Decolonizing Wealth Project Detroit, MI | Philanthropic Partnerships Grant | $500,000 |
| La Liga De Ciudades San Juan, PR | Capacity Building Support | $450,000 |
| Rainbow Center Tacoma, WA | Capacity Building Support | $249,000 |
| Coalition on Homelessness San Francisco, CA | Capacity Building Support | $248,161 |
| Feest Seattle, WA | Capacity Building Support | $230,000 |
| Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Menlo Park, CA | Philanthropic Partnerships Grant | $200,000 |
| Homeless Children's Network San Francisco, CA | Capacity Building Support | $180,700 |
| Mindful Life Project Richmond, CA | Capacity Building Support | $170,201 |
| East African Community Services Seattle, WA | Capacity Building Support | $170,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ken Birdwell Foundation?
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 | $147,191,046 | $93,314,896 | $20,330,075 | $13,925,488 | 280 | $20,393,689 | $32,637,075 | $5,094,124 |
| 2023 | $100,008,103 | $4,545,385 | $18,952,075 | $12,473,583 | 204 | $16,848,872 | $3,310,906 | $4,999,327 |
| 2022 | $107,565,585 | $63,817,923 | $11,855,382 | $8,412,852 | 201 | $11,451,706 | $15,877,516 | $4,152,639 |
| 2021 | $76,202,815 | $4,458,349 | $7,797,589 | $5,749,809 | 149 | $7,506,747 | $4,282,041 | $3,841,569 |
| 2020 | $81,505,719 | $35,622,329 | $4,702,121 | $3,155,740 | 90 | — | $2,748,404 | $3,797,749 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ken Birdwell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Magic Cabinet’s stated updated mission is to “shift philanthropy to center community.” Its grantmaking approach emphasizes community participation, long-term investment, and strengthening nonprofit teams, tools, and infrastructure.
The website says it partners with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are people-focused, locally engaged, community-trusted for at least three years, and open to learning. Its standard cohort partners have annual budgets of $500,000 to $2.5 million, although Magic Cabinet says it adapts its model when there is an opportunity to do so.
Examples illustrate the range of grantee work. Rainbow Center describes its mission as expanding resources and safe space for LGBTQ+ and allied community members through education, advocacy, and celebration. Coalition on Homelessness says it organizes homeless people and frontline service providers to pursue solutions to homelessness and protect the civil and human rights of people living on the streets. East African Community Services describes its work as supporting cradle-to-career success for the East African community in King County through education, youth, housing, and family services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 280 grants totaling $13,925,488. Grant amounts ranged from $29 to $1,500,000, with a median grant of $19,404. Grants are often provided as five-year, unrestricted capacity-building support through cohorts of nonprofits.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,500,000 to Native Americans in Philanthropy for capacity-building support; $500,000 to Decolonizing Wealth Project for a philanthropic partnerships grant; $450,000 to La Liga de Ciudades for capacity-building support; $249,000 to Rainbow Center; and $248,161 to Coalition on Homelessness, both for capacity-building support. Other listed recipients included FEEST ($230,000), Homeless Children’s Network ($180,700), Mindful Life Project ($170,201), East African Community Services ($170,000), Pogo Park ($169,333), and Young Women Empowered ($168,667), each for capacity-building support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Christina Engel as chief executive officer, Ed Lee as chief financial officer, Ken Birdwell as president, Rebecca Spadoni as vice president, Keith Vernon as treasurer, and Maeve Elise Brown as secretary. Trish Dziko Millines and Leticia Landa are listed as board members.
Ken Birdwell Foundation is led by Christina Engel, Chief Executive Officer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christina Engel
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Director → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$153K (2020) → $221K (2024)
Ken Birdwell
President
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Vernon
Treasurer
Assistant Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$10K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Ed Lee
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$198K (2024)
Rebecca Spadoni
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leticia Landa
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trish Dziko Millines
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maeve Elise Brown
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Ken Davis (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Kenneth Jon Birdwell (2020–2022) — Board Chair
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 $221K, to Christina Engel (Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ken Birdwell Foundation
How much does Ken Birdwell Foundation give each year?
Ken Birdwell Foundation gave $13.9M across 280 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12.5M across 204 grants.
What is Ken Birdwell Foundation's typical grant size?
Ken Birdwell Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $19,404, and its average grant was $49,734, across 280 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ken Birdwell Foundation that year got $213K on average.
Where does Ken Birdwell Foundation give grants?
Ken Birdwell Foundation's top state is California, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was Washington (44%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (74 grants), San Francisco, CA (29 grants), Tacoma, WA (29 grants) and Richmond, CA (19 grants).
Does Ken Birdwell Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 280 grants with a stated purpose on Ken Birdwell Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Capacity Building Support" (208 grants), "Organization Sponsorship" (30 grants) and "Event Sponsorship" (19 grants).
Who are Ken Birdwell Foundation's largest grantees?
Ken Birdwell Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Native Americans in Philanthropy ($1,500,000), RVC Seattle ($892,059 across 24 grants) and Decolonizing Wealth Project ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ken Birdwell Foundation?
Ken Birdwell Foundation reported $147.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $20.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ken Birdwell Foundation fund?
Magic Cabinet’s stated updated mission is to “shift philanthropy to center community.” Its grantmaking approach emphasizes community participation, long-term investment, and strengthening nonprofit teams, tools, and infrastructure. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ken Birdwell Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ken Birdwell Foundation's EIN?
Ken Birdwell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-5328231. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Ken Birdwell 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ken Birdwell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Satterberg Foundation Inc
Seattle, WA
The Satterberg Foundation funds nonprofits advancing racial justice and a sustainable environment, primarily through multi-year, unrestricted operating support, with most Core Support grantees working in Washington and California and other commitments in Arizona and nationally. In 2024, its median grant was $125,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or applications.
Assets
$425.6M
Grants
286
Total Given
$42.6M
The Norcliffe Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Norcliffe Foundation funds Puget Sound nonprofits in areas including human services, education, healthcare, arts and culture, environment, and community projects; it supports programs, operations, capacity building, and capital projects. Grants vary widely, but the median is $20,000 and nearly 60% are $15,000 or less. It serves 11 counties in Washington’s Puget Sound region and accepts applications year-round through its online system.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
454
Total Given
$56.5M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
East Bay Community Foundation
Oakland, CA
East Bay Community Foundation funds arts and culture for social justice, racial-equity capacity building, community organizing and movement building, and inclusive economic models, prioritizing communities affected by structural inequities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely, and generally support organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Most strategy-guided grants are by invitation, with applications opened periodically; donor-advised fund grants may also be made without an application.
Assets
$514.0M
Grants
842
Total Given
$62.8M
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Oakland, CA
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals funds health care access and services, community health, health education, and related work, with priorities including mental and behavioral health, housing, and income and employment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; most grant dollars went to California, with some going elsewhere. In Southern California, it says it does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals and awards grants through competitive processes to pre-identified organizations.
Assets
$87.4B
Grants
1,122
Total Given
$225.4M
Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Gates Foundation funds work to reduce disease and poverty, improve health and gender equality in lower-income countries, and support education and economic mobility in the United States, especially Washington State; it works in more than 140 countries. Its 2024 grants had a median of $500,000, with awards ranging from $1 to $350.5 million. It generally does not accept unsolicited proposals, but periodically offers opportunities through published requests for proposals.
Assets
$78.7B
Grants
4,974
Total Given
$6.3B
More similar funders
More Funders in Washington
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ken Birdwell Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ken-birdwell-foundation-morg_9a6afb13bba44b9293e3b504e1561186
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_825328231_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ken Birdwell Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ken-birdwell-foundation-morg_9a6afb13bba44b9293e3b504e1561186},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Ken Birdwell 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.
Ken Birdwell Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?