NW Childrens Foundation
NW Children’s Foundation is a public charity based in Seattle, Washington. It supports child welfare organizations working to prevent and address the intergenerational cycle of child abuse, neglect, and trauma, through grantmaking focused on children, youth, and families.
NW Childrens Foundation at a glance
In short: NW Childrens Foundation gave $799K across 63 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Washington. 32% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $799,000
- +0.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 63
- +6.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,683
- -6.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,783,758
- +23.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (20 of 63, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to NW Childrens Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its two-step process. Submit a Letter of Inquiry through its online application system; selected organizations are invited to submit a full application. Board members review the full application and arrange a site visit.
- Review Cycle
- The listed deadline of June 30, 2026, has passed.
- Deadline
- The listed deadline of June 30, 2026, has passed.
- Next open deadline
- December 10, 2026 (NW Children's Foundation General Grant Program)
- Contact
Mailing address: 2100 24Th Ave S Ste 320, Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: (206) 682-8447
Website: https://nwcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from NW Childrens Foundation
NW Children's Foundation General Grant Program
NW Childrens Foundation
Amount
$5,000 - $20,000
Deadline
December 10, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
NW Children's Foundation Grants
NW Childrens Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Spring Grant Cycle
NW Childrens Foundation
Amount
$5,000 - $20,000
Deadline
Expected ~December
Based on past cycles
Who NW Childrens Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Child Advocacy Center ($33K). Together the top 10 received $232K.
Grant Size Distribution
344 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 344 grants of 344 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s general grant program serves children and youth from birth through age 24, and families, in Western Washington. In filing year 2025, all reported grant dollars went to Washington recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 63 itemized grants.
Cities
Is NW Childrens Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 20 of 63 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 46% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−20%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $798K (2024) to $1.0M (2021). In 2025 it made 63 grants totaling $799K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Child Advocacy Center Everett, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $33,150 |
| Lydia Place Bellingham, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $33,150 |
| Friends of Youth Kirkland, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $33,000 |
| TeamChild Seattle, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $33,000 |
| Multi-Service Center Federal Way, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $18,000 |
| Refugee Womens Alliance Seattle, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $17,000 |
| Together Olympia, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $17,000 |
| Domestic Violence Services Everett, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $16,000 |
| Sherwood Community Services Lake Stevens, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $16,000 |
| Skookum Kids Bellingham, WA | To end the cycle of child abuse | $16,000 |
Ready to take the next step with NW Childrens Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,783,758 | $1,861,428 | $1,660,991 | $799,000 | 63 | $39,202 |
| 2024 | $1,448,539 | $1,514,188 | $1,745,918 | $798,200 | 59 | $28,015 |
| 2023 | $1,530,895 | $1,908,122 | $1,955,884 | $875,950 | 69 | $23,091 |
| 2022 | $1,503,325 | $1,500,163 | $1,825,885 | $995,500 | 77 | $22,221 |
| 2021 | $1,968,895 | $2,094,376 | $1,736,713 | $1,046,000 | 76 | $20,939 |
| 2020 | $1,383,591 | $1,480,454 | $1,582,745 | $911,050 | 76 | $25,345 |
| 2019 | $1,459,130 | $1,560,738 | $1,620,757 | $1,008,025 | 67 | $26,418 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to end the intergenerational cycle of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. Its grantmaking supports prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs to heal children who have experienced trauma, strengthen families, and empower youth. Its stated priorities include children and youth in foster care; families experiencing homelessness; domestic violence, abuse, and neglect; and services that reduce risk factors and promote protective factors.
The foundation’s grant portfolio includes a range of child-serving organizations. For example, Lydia Place describes its mission as disrupting homelessness and nurturing healing and belonging; Friends of Youth says it partners with youth and families to provide relationships, resources, and skills; and Skookum Kids says it mobilizes communities in support of children and families impacted by foster care.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 63 grants totaling $799,000. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $33,150, with a median of $10,000. The foundation’s program information lists a grant range of $5,000–$20,000.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $33,150 each to Child Advocacy Center of Snohomish in Everett and Lydia Place in Bellingham, and $33,000 to Friends of Youth in Kirkland. Other notable awards included $18,000 to Multi-Service Center in Federal Way and $17,000 to Refugee Women’s Alliance in Seattle. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Washington.
The application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry. A screening committee selects applicants to advance to a full application and review; the board reviews the full materials and arranges a site visit before making final decisions. Applicants may submit one application per fiscal year, choosing either the Winter or Spring cycle. The foundation accepts applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. Its stated exclusions include organizations that proselytize or require religious activities, organizations that exclude people based on religious beliefs, grants to individuals or political candidates, and certain tutoring, after-school, leadership training, or youth engagement programs outside its stated priorities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Victoria Peattie Helm as CEO, Lori Leff Mueller as COO, Laura Kerr as president, and Teryn Bench, Gena Bettin, Meg Burnham, Christin Gilmer, Debra Gumbardo, Kayla Higgins, and Alex Keszthelyi as directors.
NW Childrens Foundation is led by Victoria Peattie Helm, CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 32 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Victoria Peattie Helm
CEO
Executive Director → CEO, 2021
On filings since 2020
27 hrs/week
$162K (2020) → $120K (2025)
Laura Kerr
President
Director → President-Elect, 2021
President-Elect → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Steinstraw
President
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Mallinson O'Neil
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Briana Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elaine Porterfield
Director
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Podany
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heidi Vanderlaan
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri Pauly
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosha Lowe
Director
Vice President → President-Elect, 2024
President-Elect → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Teryn Bench
Director
Director → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kayla Higgins
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra Gumbardo
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gena Bettin
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hannah Soll-Morris
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Unckles
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meg Burnham
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Meyers
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sissi Sondgroth
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christin Gilmer
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Quinn Lincoln
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Zubair
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wellesley Parker
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Keszthelyi
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Lazar
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Shwab-Eidelson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane Slater
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jema Turk
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Kilpatrick
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vicky Labuguen
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Leff Mueller
COO
CFO → COO, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$127K (2020) → $151K (2025)
Liz Warman
Treasurer
Co President → Co-President, 2021
Co-President → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (57)
- Former: Tess Wilkins (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Tim Stienstraw (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Mallika Shanbhag (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Anna Shwab Eidelson (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: De'Shanel Childs (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Brad Dear (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jackie Valentine (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nitasha Mago (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Alexandra Geneser (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Ashley Scherman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dorcas Wiliams (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Will Strong (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dolly Sobhani (2022) — Director
- Former: Lyndi-Paige Pyle (2022) — Director
- Former: Swati Goel (2022) — Director
- Former: Vandana Mohan (2022) — Director
- Former: Erin Medved-Burnham (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Fred Turshman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeff Habersetzer (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Pete Kingston (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sarah McCaffrey (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Susan McCurry (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Terri Caditz (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Tiffany Fuentes (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Adrienne Allen (2021) — Director
- Former: Margaret Song (2021) — Director
- Former: Andre Bearfield (2020) — Director
- Former: Craig Brauff (2020) — Director
- Former: Emily Kelly (2020) — Director
- Former: Jacquelyn Moris (2020) — Director
- Former: Jessica Burkard (2020) — Director
- Former: Maren Nelson (2020) — Director
- Former: Neil Spears (2020) — Director
- Former: Caditz Terri (2019) — Director
- Former: Crandell Kathryn (2019) — Director
- Former: Fuentes Tiffany (2019) — Director
- Former: Habersetzer Jeff (2019) — Director
- Former: Helm Victoria (2019) — Executive Director
- Former: Kelly Emily (2019) — Director
- Former: Kerr Laura (2019) — Director
- Former: Kingston Pete (2019) — Director
- Former: McCaffrey Sarah (2019) — Director
- Former: McCurry Susan (2019) — Director
- Former: Medved Erin (2019) — Director
- Former: Mueller Lori Leff (2019) — CFO
- Former: Nelson Maren (2019) — Director
- Former: Podany Frank (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Porterfield Elaine (2019) — Director
- Former: Rooks Alissa (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Spears Neil (2019) — Director
- Former: Strong William H. (2019) — President
- Former: Turshman Fred (2019) — Director
- Former: Valentine Jackie (2019) — President-Elect
- Former: Vanderlaan Heidi (2019) — Director
- Former: Warman Elizabeth (2019) — President
- Former: Wiley Sara (2019) — Director
- Former: Winchester James (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $151K, to Lori Leff Mueller (COO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about NW Childrens Foundation
How much does NW Childrens Foundation give each year?
NW Childrens Foundation gave $799K across 63 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $798K across 59 grants.
What is NW Childrens Foundation's typical grant size?
NW Childrens Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,683, across 63 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from NW Childrens Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does NW Childrens Foundation give grants?
NW Childrens Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (21 grants), Everett, WA (5 grants), Bellingham, WA (4 grants) and Olympia, WA (4 grants).
Does NW Childrens Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 63 grants with a stated purpose on NW Childrens Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To end the cycle of child abuse" (62 grants).
Who are NW Childrens Foundation's largest grantees?
NW Childrens Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Child Advocacy Center ($33,150), Lydia Place ($33,150) and Friends of Youth ($33,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is NW Childrens Foundation?
NW Childrens Foundation reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.9M.
What does NW Childrens Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to end the intergenerational cycle of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. Its grantmaking supports prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs to heal children who have experienced trauma, strengthen families, and empower youth. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from NW Childrens Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its two-step process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is NW Childrens Foundation's EIN?
NW Childrens Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1314318. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does NW Childrens Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 15, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work NW Childrens Foundation funds
Crime & Legal Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in NW Childrens Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). NW Childrens Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/nw-childrens-foundation-morg_3bfe1adc1fd54e13b2551edd3e02d472
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911314318_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{NW Childrens Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/nw-childrens-foundation-morg_3bfe1adc1fd54e13b2551edd3e02d472},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 NW Childrens 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.
NW Childrens Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?