Ricochet Foundation
Ricochet Foundation is a private foundation based in Poulsbo, Washington. Its 2024 filing reports 10 grants totaling $52,500 to organizations including civic, environmental, disaster-relief, humanitarian, cultural, and educational recipients.
Ricochet Foundation at a glance
In short: Ricochet Foundation gave $53K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), top state District of Columbia. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $52,500
- +14.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -37.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,250
- +82.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $4,000
- Total assets
- $802,945
- -3.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (27% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ricochet Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Application materials must include information on tax-exempt status and the proposed use of funds. Contact Stephen Messinger. Awards are approved by the board of directors.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists June 30 as the submission deadline; that date has passed.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists June 30 as the submission deadline; that date has passed.
- Contact
Application contact: Stephen Messinger
Mailing address: 19689 7Th Ave Ne Ste 166, Poulsbo, WA 98370
Phone: (206) 842-5357
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ricochet Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Voto Latino Foundation ($10K). Together the top 10 received $53K.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 72 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were Washington, DC (27%); North Carolina (19%); Texas (19%); Virginia (14%); and Rhode Island (10%). These figures describe the locations of recipients, not a stated geographic restriction.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ricochet Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $42K (2020) to $53K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $53K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Voto Latino Foundation Washington, DC | General Fund | $10,000 |
| CFWNC Asheville, NC | Emergency & Disaster Relief Fund | $10,000 |
| Liberty Ukraine Austin, TX | General Fund | $10,000 |
| Tusk Alexandria, VA | General Fund | $7,500 |
| Brown University Providence, RI | General Fund | $5,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC | General Fund | $3,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders New York, NY | General Fund | $2,500 |
| SF Opera Guild San Francisco, CA | General Fund | $2,500 |
| American Farmland Trust Washington, DC | General Fund | $1,000 |
| International Rescue Committee Alber Lea, MN | General Fund | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ricochet 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $802,945 | $21,575 | $54,564 | $52,500 | 10 | $52,500 | $26,500 | $47,971 |
| 2023 | $835,934 | $26,676 | $51,393 | $46,056 | 16 | $46,056 | $26,636 | $44,448 |
| 2022 | $860,644 | $24,282 | $54,032 | $48,000 | 15 | $48,000 | $31,322 | $45,642 |
| 2021 | $892,799 | $52,127 | $45,227 | $43,500 | 13 | $43,500 | $27,127 | $50,157 |
| 2020 | $885,899 | $40,783 | $43,829 | $42,000 | 18 | — | $15,783 | $43,092 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ricochet Foundation reported a distributable amount of $48K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in several areas. Voto Latino Foundation describes its mission as educating and empowering a new generation of Latino voters and advancing the Latino community’s civic power. World Wildlife Fund says its mission is to conserve nature and reduce threats to the diversity of life on Earth. American Farmland Trust describes its work as protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 10 grants totaling $52,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $4,000. Notable grants included $10,000 each to Voto Latino Foundation, CFWNC for its Emergency & Disaster Relief Fund, and Liberty Ukraine; $7,500 to Tusk; and $5,000 to Brown University.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Stephen Messinger as trustee.
Ricochet Foundation is led by Stephen Messinger, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen Messinger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Ricochet Foundation
How much does Ricochet Foundation give each year?
Ricochet Foundation gave $53K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $46K across 16 grants.
What is Ricochet Foundation's typical grant size?
Ricochet Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $4,000, and its average grant was $5,250, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ricochet Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does Ricochet Foundation give grants?
Ricochet Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (19%) and Texas (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does Ricochet Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of Ricochet Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ricochet Foundation's largest grantees?
Ricochet Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Voto Latino Foundation ($10,000), CFWNC ($10,000) and Liberty Ukraine ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ricochet Foundation?
Ricochet Foundation reported $803K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $53K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $48K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ricochet Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in several areas. Voto Latino Foundation describes its mission as educating and empowering a new generation of Latino voters and advancing the Latino community’s civic power. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ricochet Foundation?
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ricochet Foundation's EIN?
Ricochet Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3740581. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ricochet Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Washington
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Gates Foundation funds work to reduce disease and poverty, improve health and gender equality in lower-income countries, and support education and economic mobility in the United States, especially Washington State; it works in more than 140 countries. Its 2024 grants had a median of $500,000, with awards ranging from $1 to $350.5 million. It generally does not accept unsolicited proposals, but periodically offers opportunities through published requests for proposals.
Assets
$78.7B
Grants
4,974
Total Given
$6.3B
M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Vancouver, WA
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust funds nonprofit capacity-building and projects in arts and culture, civic and community services, education, health and environmental stewardship, and scientific research across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Its 2024 median grant was $87,000, with awards ranging from $4,000 to about $1.55 million. Eligible organizations can submit a Letter of Inquiry; full applications are by invitation.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
797
Total Given
$116.6M
The Avista Foundation
Spokane, WA
The Avista Foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in education, basic needs and poverty, and economic and cultural vitality. Its 2025 grants had a median of $1,000, though awards ranged from $20 to $350,000, and it serves communities in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, parts of southern Oregon, Sanders County, Montana, and Juneau, Alaska.
Assets
$10.6M
Grants
577
Total Given
$2.2M
REI Cooperative Action Fund
Sumner, WA
The REI Cooperative Action Fund supports U.S. nonprofits expanding equitable access to the outdoors, connecting historically excluded communities with outdoor experiences, and advancing research on nature and health. In 2024, grants ranged from $9,342 to $386,438, with a median of $15,000; it funds organizations serving communities across the U.S. and does not accept unsolicited grant requests, though recommendations are considered.
Assets
$11.2M
Grants
561
Total Given
$13.5M
Scholar Fund
Seattle, WA
Scholar Fund supports community organizations and programs addressing childcare, college access, economic hardship, and barriers to resources, with a focus on underserved communities. Its 2023 grants had a median of $23,486 and ranged from $5,036 to $1,313,081; 98% of grant dollars went to Washington recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.2M
Grants
535
Total Given
$23.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Washington
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ricochet Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ricochet-foundation-morg_91f7c442fdc842dba98fdc4af768a65f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_823740581_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ricochet Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ricochet-foundation-morg_91f7c442fdc842dba98fdc4af768a65f},
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 Ricochet 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.
Ricochet Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?