Marks Family Foundation
The Marks Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 2013, based in Bainbridge Island, Washington. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on supporting innovative initiatives across multiple sectors including technology, music, hospitality, food and wine, motorsports, and venture capital.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$950K
+20.6% YoY
Grant Count
27
-3.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+25.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes itself as "a family of entrepreneurs passionate about innovation" that seeks to fund visionary students, women and girls, disease research, education, music and the arts, and community funding initiatives.
The foundation's approach emphasizes:
- Supporting passionate thinkers with unique perspectives on catalyzing change
- Belief in the power of new ideas and encouragement of risk-taking and innovation
- Trust-based philanthropy with unrestricted funding, allowing grantees to determine resource allocation for maximum impact
- Empowering grantees with tools and resources needed for success and pathways to diversified funding
Grantmaking
The foundation made 16 grants in 2024, with notable recipients including:
Ready to take the next step with Marks Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations in the Pacific Northwest, with particular emphasis on the Bainbridge Island, Washington area and the broader Seattle region. The foundation also supports organizations in Western New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $23,443,641
- Total Revenues: $6,758,147
- Total Expenses: $1,034,317
- Number of Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
129 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bainbridge Island Museum of Art ($204,250), Seattle Symphony Foundation ($160,000), Seattle Opera ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AUGUSTA JEWISH FEDERATION AUGUSTA, GA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $110,000 |
| BABIES AND MOTHERS ALIVE USA BROOKLYN, NY | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $5,000 |
| BAINBRIDGE ARTISAN RESOURCE NETWORK BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $15,000 |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND LAND TRUST BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $25,000 |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $204,250 |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PARKS FOUNDATION BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $11,100 |
| BAINBRIDGE YOUTH SERVICES BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $15,000 |
| BLOEDEL RESERVE BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $15,000 |
| CLASSICAL 98 1 SEATTLE, WA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $5,000 |
| EARLY MUSIC GUILD OF SEATTLE SEATTLE, WA | FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE GOALS | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Elizabeth C. Marks — Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN J MARKS | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| CAROL MAIONE | SECRETARY | 0.2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation actively distributed grants throughout fiscal year 2024, supporting a diverse portfolio of organizations across arts, education, youth services, and community development sectors. Grant recipients in 2024 included cultural institutions like the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and Seattle Symphony Foundation, as well as community-focused organizations addressing youth enrichment, domestic violence prevention, and foster youth support.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Marks Family Foundation fund?
The foundation describes itself as "a family of entrepreneurs passionate about innovation" that seeks to fund visionary students, women and girls, disease research, education, music and the arts, and community funding initiatives. The foundation's approach emphasizes: • Supporting passionate thinkers with unique perspectives on catalyzing change • Belief in the power of new ideas and encouragement of risk-taking and innovation • Trust-based philanthropy with unrestricted funding, allowing grant…
How do I apply for a grant from Marks Family Foundation?
**Recent Grant Activity (Fiscal Year 2024):** The foundation made 16 grants in 2024, with notable recipients including: • Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA): $204,250 • Seattle Symphony Foundation: $160,000 • Seattle Opera: $125,000 Additional 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $10,000 and supported organizations focused on youth enrichment, domestic violence services, foster youth education, mentoring programs, arts education, and community services. **Grant Characteristics:** • Grants vary…
Where does Marks Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations in the Pacific Northwest, with particular emphasis on the Bainbridge Island, Washington area and the broader Seattle region. The foundation also supports organizations in Western New York.
What size grants does Marks Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Marks Family Foundation awarded 27 grants totaling $950K — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Marks Family Foundation's EIN?
Marks Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1352263. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Marks Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Thurgood Marshall PTA
SEATTLE, WA
Assets
$186K
Grants
1
Total Given
$224K
The Hare Bnb Rescue Spa and Boutique
LACEY, WA
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$400
Meadowdale Junior Football
EDMONDS, WA
Assets
$12K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Cmr Foundation
STANWOOD, WA
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
2
Total Given
$1.5M
Sequim Masonic Lodge Foundation
CARLSBORG, WA
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$30K
Foundation House at Northgate
GIG HARBOR, WA
Assets
$223K
Grants
16
Total Given
$159K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Marks Family Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Marks Family Foundation to a real strategy.