Realize Impact is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Bainbridge Island, Washington, founded in 2013. The organization mobilizes philanthropic capital to invest in socially and environmentally impactful startups and funds. Realize Impact operates as a financial services organization that enables impact investing—investing in positive social or environmental benefit while seeking financial return—making it accessible to a broad range of investors and donors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.4M
+57.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.2M
+38.8% YoY
Grant Count
36
+9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$229K
+27.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To provide financial support, mentorship, and other assistance to early-stage socially-, environmentally-, health-, and community-conscious enterprises that are unable to obtain financing from conventional sources as a way to relieve poverty, create jobs, improve the health of communities, and improve the environment.
Core Philosophy: Realize Impact challenges the assumption that investors must choose between financial returns and positive social or environmental impact. The organization works to demonstrate that these goals are not mutually exclusive.
Grantmaking
Realize Impact operates through multiple mechanisms to deploy capital:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Realize Impact's grantmaking focuses primarily on:
- California
- New York
- Washington
The organization also makes investments internationally, including in Kenya and other regions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $33,404,486
- Total revenues: $14,692,445
- Total expenses: $7,238,977
- Program expense ratio: 98.85%
Financial Health Indicators:
- Working capital ratio: 10.03 years
- 100% independent board members
- Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with 93% overall score
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,404,486 | $21,259,674 | $18,263,663 |
| Revenue | $22,238,411 | $14,692,445 | $13,099,247 |
| Expenses | $9,741,398 | $7,238,977 | $2,030,371 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $230,084 | $89,006 | $40 |
| 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
93 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The New Climate ($3,168,000), GitLab Foundation ($975,000), Beneficial Returns ($651,510).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Relationspot New York, NY | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $5,363 |
| RiseKit Chicago, IL | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $8,385 |
| The Flip New York, NY | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $9,750 |
| Tiny Superheroes Chesterfield, MO | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $10,617 |
| Black Lives Matter Denver, CO | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $11,105 |
| Agrarian Craft Inc (dba Bonsall Berry Farm) Bonsall, CA | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $13,650 |
| San Francisco Foundation San Francisco, CA | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $15,098 |
| Impact Entrepreneur Sheffield, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $15,863 |
| Schwab Charitable San Francisco, CA | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $18,891 |
| Impact Assets Bethesda, MD | Fiscal Sponsorship Grants | $19,596 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Executive Director: Matt Eldridge
- Operations Director: Piper Bonacquist
- Staff size: 3 employees (as of 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Gripne | President | 3 | — |
| Michael Libes | Treasurer | 6 | $62,400 |
| Brian Howe | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Kurt Davis Jr | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Paul Huynh | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Matt Eldridge | Executive Director | 36 | $146,301 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Realize Impact invested $2.5 million in SolarAPP Foundation to accelerate the adoption of automated solar permitting across the United States.
Realize Impact Invests $2.5 Million in SolarAPP Foundation to AccelerateThe organization has also been involved in initiatives supporting land restoration, including participation in efforts directing $100 million toward land restoration projects.
$100 million toward land restoration - PHIG's - - Realize ImpactContact Information
Address: 271 Winslow Way E. #10234, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Phone: 360-777-5460
Email: info@realizeimpact.org
Website: realizeimpact.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Realize Impact fund?
**Mission:** To provide financial support, mentorship, and other assistance to early-stage socially-, environmentally-, health-, and community-conscious enterprises that are unable to obtain financing from conventional sources as a way to relieve poverty, create jobs, improve the health of communities, and improve the environment. **Core Philosophy:** Realize Impact challenges the assumption that investors must choose between financial returns and positive social or environmental impact. The or…
How do I apply for a grant from Realize Impact?
Realize Impact operates through multiple mechanisms to deploy capital: **Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $9,153,265 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing) • Typical award range: $5,033–$3,168,000 • Recent grants include $102,463 to ImpactAssets and $60,367 to Seattle Foundation (both 2023) **Program Models:** • **Investment Partnerships:** Works in partnership with other nonprofit organizations to help select, make, and administer recommended impact investments around specific themes, sectors,…
Where does Realize Impact make grants?
Realize Impact's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • California • New York • Washington The organization also makes investments internationally, including in Kenya and other regions.
What size grants does Realize Impact award?
In 2024, Realize Impact awarded 36 grants totaling $8.2M — an average of about $229K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Realize Impact's EIN?
Realize Impact's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3594732. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Realize Impact'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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