The Real Progress Foundation is a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington, created in 2024 through the merger of two established foundations: the Glaser Progress Foundation (founded in 1996) and the RealNetworks Foundation (founded in 2001). The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization designated for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.8M
+23.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$193K
+40.6% YoY
Grant Count
22
-76.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+500.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Real Progress Foundation reported a distributable amount of $632K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Real Progress Foundation strives to build a more just, sustainable, and humane world. The foundation supports programs designed to enhance the quality of life in areas of company operations and enable alternative voices or foster the right of free speech throughout the world.
The foundation funds strategic initiatives in three program areas:
- Climate
- Democracy
- Community
Grantmaking
The foundation made 180 grants in 2024. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Seattle, Washington and supports programs in areas of company operations, as well as initiatives throughout the world.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Revenue: $2,686,044
- Total Expenses: $815,018
- Total Assets: $13,814,297
- Total Liabilities: $1,660
- Number of Employees: 3
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,814,297 | $11,194,546 | $10,407,040 |
| Revenue | $2,686,044 | $400,700 | $277,266 |
| Expenses | $815,018 | $501,489 | $483,714 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $709,931 | $428,177 | $383,270 |
| Net Investment Income | $924,553 | $320,296 | $194,840 |
| Distributable Amount | $632,076 | $522,002 | $535,144 |
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
222 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Real Progress Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Black Men Vote ($100,000), Democracy Now Productions ($50,000), City of Hope ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS BOONE, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| BLACK MEN VOTE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CITY OF HOPE DUARTE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CROHN'S AND COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $240 |
| DEMOCRACY NOW PRODUCTIONS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| EVERGREEN LEATHER EVENTS KENT, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,545 |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| FRIENDS OF KEXP SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $210 |
| GLOBAL GIVING WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT D GLASER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL PARHAM | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MARTIN COLLIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $101,850 |
| DREW MARKHAM | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR (THRU 1/4/24) | 1 | — |
| CARY BAKER | TREASURER/DIRECTOR (THRU 1/4/24) | 1 | — |
| MARJORIE THOMAS | DIRECTOR (THRU 1/4/24) | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 568 1st Ave S, Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104
- Phone: (206) 728-1050
- Email: grants[at]realprogressfoundation.org
- Website: realprogressfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Real Progress Foundation fund?
The Real Progress Foundation strives to build a more just, sustainable, and humane world. The foundation supports programs designed to enhance the quality of life in areas of company operations and enable alternative voices or foster the right of free speech throughout the world. The foundation funds strategic initiatives in three program areas: • Climate • Democracy • Community
How do I apply for a grant from Real Progress Foundation?
The foundation made 180 grants in 2024. Recent grants include: | Grantee | Grant Type | Amount | |---------|-----------|--------| | Black Men Vote | General Support | $100,000 | | Democracy Now Productions | General Support | $50,000 | | Washington Innocence Project | General Support | $10,000 | The foundation also operates an Employee Matching Gifts program that matches contributions made by RealNetworks employees to nonprofit organizations on a one-for-one basis, with individual matches rangi…
Where does Real Progress Foundation make grants?
The foundation is based in Seattle, Washington and supports programs in areas of company operations, as well as initiatives throughout the world.
What size grants does Real Progress Foundation award?
In 2024, Real Progress Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $193K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Real Progress Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Real Progress Foundation reported a distributable amount of $632K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Real Progress Foundation's EIN?
Real Progress Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-2033075. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Real Progress Foundation'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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