Philanthropy Northwest
Philanthropy Northwest is a regional philanthropic network and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1976, the organization serves as a community of funders across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The organization catalyzes equity-driven change, supports underinvested communities, fosters collaboration among funders, and administers grants for local initiatives throughout the Northwest and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.0M
-22.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$360K
-2.3% YoY
Grant Count
21
-4.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+2.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: We grow philanthropy's capacity to do transformative work toward redistributing resources and power to underinvested communities in the Northwest and beyond.
Vision: Equity and racial justice for all communities.
Core Values:
- Equity: Advancing just outcomes for people of all identities
- Racial Justice: Standing for a society where Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities have the dignity, resources, power and self-determination to thrive
- Place: Honoring the lands, cultures and diversity of the region
- Integrity: Acting with honesty, transparency and accountability
- Courage: Using voice boldly to catalyze change
- Joy: Creating space for connection, creativity and fun
Grantmaking
Philanthropy Northwest administers multiple grant programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's primary service region includes:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wyoming
The organization also provides consulting services to philanthropic organizations across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Revenue: $5,813,198
- Total Expenses: $7,072,405
- Total Assets: $3,965,221
- Total Liabilities: $672,000
- Number of Employees: 35
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since February 1982 (EIN: 91-1110995)
Audit Findings (2024): An independent audit identified material noncompliance and a significant deficiency in internal controls related to requirements established by law, regulations, contract or grant agreements.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,965,221 | $5,098,108 | $6,626,984 |
| Revenue | $5,813,198 | $4,230,276 | $2,879,840 |
| Expenses | $7,072,405 | $5,694,059 | $5,655,258 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $95,591 | $81,154 | $17,295 |
| 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
136 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Philanthropy Northwest
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Latino Community Foundation ($30,000), Potlatch Fund ($30,000), Proteus Fund ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BLACK FUTURES CO-OP SEATTLE, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $15,000 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WALLA WALLA, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $15,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON VANCOUVER, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $15,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON WENATCHEE, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $15,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY EVERETT, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $15,000 |
| GREATER TACOMA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TACOMA, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $15,000 |
| INNOVIA FOUNDATION SPOKANE, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $15,000 |
| KITSAP COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SILVERDALE, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $15,000 |
| LATINO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SEATTLE, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $30,000 |
| POTLATCH FUND SEATTLE, WA | TO SUPPORT LEARNING GOALS WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION. | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Giving Practice at Philanthropy Northwest operates as a consulting division with 8 employees, including Mark Sedway as Senior Partner. The broader organization employs 35 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALEX MCKAY | BOARD CHAIR | 4 | — |
| DIANA BIRKETT RAKOW | BOARD TREASURER | 3 | — |
| ADEN BLISS | BOARD TREASURER | 3 | — |
| WARREN BROWN | BOARD VICE CHAIR OF OPERATIONS | 3 | — |
| SHONA CARTER | BOARD VICE CHAIR OF PROGRAMS | 3 | — |
| CAT MARTIN | BOARD SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| NICOLE MAHER | IMMEDIATE PAST BOARD CHAIR | 3 | — |
| LILLIANE BALLESTEROS | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| BRENDA SOLORZANO | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| MICHELLE DEWITT | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| SE-AH-DOM EDMO | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| MIKE HALLIGAN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| KRIS HERMANNS | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| AYYU QASSATAQ | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| ERNIE RASMUSSEN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| OMNI ROMERO | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| BRIAN TANNER | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| ALEESHA TOWNS-BAIN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| HUONG VU | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| MITO ALFIERI | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| KENDALL CLAWSON | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| GLORIA DIXON | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| TOYA FICK | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| KENDRA WITT-DOYLE | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| JILL TEIKO NISHI | CEO | 40 | $297,253 |
| RACHEL JACKSON | VICE PRESIDENT PEOPLE, OPERATIONS & FINANCE | 40 | $197,887 |
| MEREDITH HIGASHI | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $170,017 |
| NANCY SANABRIA | VICE PRESIDENT STRATEGIES | 40 | $144,953 |
| KAREN PAGE WESTING | VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $139,792 |
| LYN HUNTER | DIRECTOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES | 40 | $125,546 |
| DANIELLE CRYSTAL | DIRECTOR OF GRANTMAKING | 40 | $123,237 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Philanthropy Northwest is actively administering the EPA Thriving Communities Grants program, offering $40-48 million in environmental justice grant funding over three years to support locally driven initiatives in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The organization has welcomed applications for this significant environmental justice grants program.
Philanthropy Northwest Offering $48 Million in Thriving Communities GrantsThe organization has also engaged in advocacy regarding grant administration, including public reflection on challenging an EPA grant termination decision.
Philanthropy Northwest Offering $48 Million in Thriving Communities GrantsFrequently Asked Questions
What does Philanthropy Northwest fund?
**Mission:** We grow philanthropy's capacity to do transformative work toward redistributing resources and power to underinvested communities in the Northwest and beyond. **Vision:** Equity and racial justice for all communities. **Core Values:** • Equity: Advancing just outcomes for people of all identities • Racial Justice: Standing for a society where Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities have the dignity, resources, power and self-determination to thrive • Place: Honoring the la…
How do I apply for a grant from Philanthropy Northwest?
Philanthropy Northwest administers multiple grant programs: **The Giving Practice (TGP):** Delivers tailored consulting services to philanthropic organizations and partnerships throughout the Northwest and across the country. Services include coaching and organizational development, cross-sector collaboration, strategic planning, mission-aligned investing, evaluation, and facilitation. **Building Community Philanthropy (BCP):** A special initiative that strengthens the capacity of community fou…
Where does Philanthropy Northwest make grants?
The organization's primary service region includes: • Alaska • Idaho • Montana • Oregon • Washington • Wyoming The organization also provides consulting services to philanthropic organizations across the United States.
What size grants does Philanthropy Northwest award?
In 2024, Philanthropy Northwest awarded 21 grants totaling $360K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Philanthropy Northwest's EIN?
Philanthropy Northwest's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1110995. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Philanthropy Northwest's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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