Norman Raab Foundation
The Norman Raab Foundation is a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington. It supports work in education, health and research sciences, and human services, describing its aim as “advancing a forward thinking, healthy world.”
Norman Raab Foundation at a glance
In short: Norman Raab Foundation gave $1.1M across 89 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), top state California. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,135,000
- -5.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 89
- -3.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,753
- -2.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $34,368,914
- +11.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (15 of 82, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (32% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Norman Raab Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its website describes an invitation-only application process, with the foundation contacting prospective applicants at the start of each grant cycle. Organizations that believe they align with its priorities may submit an introduction form, but the foundation notes that introductions from organizations that are not a clear match may not receive a response. Invited applicants may email to request a conversation about an LOI or application; feedback is not guaranteed because of limited staff availability.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 31086, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 632-1014
Website: https://raabfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Norman Raab Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Johns Hopkins University ($116K across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $521K.
Grant Size Distribution
472 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 447 grants of 472 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest shares went to California (32%), Pennsylvania (19%), Maryland (10%), Massachusetts (8%), and Colorado (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 89 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Norman Raab Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 82 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 77% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% 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 (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2021) to $1.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 89 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Hook Promise Foundation Newtown, CT | Education | $75,000 |
| Facing History and Ourselves Boston, MA | Education | $50,000 |
| Jewish Family and Children's Service (JFCS) of Greater Philadelphia Bala Cynwyd, PA | Human Services | $50,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center Montgomery, AL | Education | $50,000 |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum Washington, DC | Education | $50,000 |
| Icivics Inc Cambridge, MA | Education | $40,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Wilmer Eye Institute | $40,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Wilmer Eye Institute | $35,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Comprehensive Diabetes Center | $35,000 |
| 826 Valencia San Francisco, CA | Education | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Norman Raab 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,368,914 | $2,592,703 | $1,575,928 | $1,135,000 | 89 | $1,372,099 | $2,412,036 | $1,547,891 |
| 2024 | $30,712,234 | $2,553,703 | $1,618,153 | $1,197,390 | 92 | $1,409,006 | $2,381,677 | $1,363,534 |
| 2023 | $25,092,724 | $862,259 | $1,495,075 | $1,078,550 | 91 | $1,327,427 | $689,260 | $1,272,268 |
| 2022 | $23,336,418 | $1,117,662 | $1,604,348 | $1,239,100 | 101 | $1,413,482 | $939,513 | $1,334,570 |
| 2021 | $28,088,579 | $2,542,389 | $1,397,593 | $1,048,230 | 99 | — | $2,379,652 | $1,292,328 |
| 2020 | $13,988,730 | $894,234 | $1,378,923 | $1,048,700 | 105 | — | $763,970 | $1,131,251 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Norman Raab Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — 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 aim is “advancing a forward thinking, healthy world.” Its website lists education, health and research sciences, and human services as funding areas.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of supported work. For example, iCivics describes its mission as providing equitable, non-partisan civic education and civics and history resources; Colorado Coalition for the Homeless says it works to prevent homelessness and provide housing and services; and 826 Valencia says it supports students’ writing skills and helps teachers engage students in writing.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 89 grants totaling $1,135,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $75,000, with a median of $2,500. Notable awards included $75,000 to Sandy Hook Promise Foundation for education; $50,000 each to Facing History and Ourselves for education, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia for human services, Southern Poverty Law Center for education, and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum for education. Johns Hopkins University received three listed awards: $40,000 and $35,000 for the Wilmer Eye Institute, and $35,000 for the Comprehensive Diabetes Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sara Raab McInerny as executive director and board chair. Trustees listed are Stephen Bleyer, Marie Brickley-Raab, Emily Lowmon, John McInerny, Ann Raab, Isabel Raab, and Whitney Raab. Stephen Raab is listed as board chair emeritus.
Norman Raab Foundation is led by Sara Raab McInerny, Executive Director & Board Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); all 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sara Raab McInerny
Executive Director & Board Chair
Executive Director → Executive Director & Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $101K (2025)
Ann Raab
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Emily Lowmon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Isabel Raab
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Stephen Bleyer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $500 (2025)
Whitney Raab
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $3K (2025)
John McInerny
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$2K (2021) → $3K (2025)
Marie Brickley-Raab
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $2K (2025)
Stephen F. Raab
Board Chair Emeritus
Chair → Board Chair, 2021
Board Chair → Board Chair Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Mariellen Brickley-Raab (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Tryg McInerny (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $101K, to Sara Raab McInerny (Executive Director & Board Chair). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Norman Raab Foundation
How much does Norman Raab Foundation give each year?
Norman Raab Foundation gave $1.1M across 89 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 92 grants.
What is Norman Raab Foundation's typical grant size?
Norman Raab Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $12,753, across 89 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Norman Raab Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Norman Raab Foundation give grants?
Norman Raab Foundation's top state is California, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (19%) and Maryland (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (10 grants), Seattle, WA (10 grants), Los Angeles, CA (9 grants) and Denver, CO (8 grants).
Does Norman Raab Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 89 grants with a stated purpose on Norman Raab Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (38 grants), "Human Services" (30 grants) and "Health" (11 grants).
Who are Norman Raab Foundation's largest grantees?
Norman Raab Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Johns Hopkins University ($115,500 across 6 grants), Sandy Hook Promise Foundation ($75,000) and Facing History and Ourselves ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Norman Raab Foundation?
Norman Raab Foundation reported $34.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (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 Norman Raab Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is “advancing a forward thinking, healthy world.” Its website lists education, health and research sciences, and human services as funding areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Norman Raab Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Norman Raab Foundation's EIN?
Norman Raab Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7006390. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Norman Raab 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Norman Raab Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/norman-raab-foundation-morg_bf1b558431d64990ab754f083b416f6e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237006390_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Norman Raab Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/norman-raab-foundation-morg_bf1b558431d64990ab754f083b416f6e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Norman Raab 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.
Norman Raab Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?