Sequoia Foundation
Sequoia Foundation is a Form 990-PF (a private foundation) based in Tacoma, Washington. It is committed to strengthening and enriching quality of life in Tacoma and Pierce County, supporting well-managed nonprofit organizations and citizen initiatives that achieve measurable, high-quality results.
Key facts about Sequoia Foundation
In short: Sequoia Foundation gave $1.5M across 61 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), mostly in Washington. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 91-1178052
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,528,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 61
- Average grant
- $25,057
- Median grant
- $15,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (6 of 61, 2025)
- Total assets
- $11,829,696
- Primary geography
- Washington (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The website describes a two-stage process. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The website gives no specific proposal due dates.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.8M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-1.6% YoY
Grant Count
61
-17.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+19.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sequoia Foundation reported a distributable amount of $827K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Sequoia Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 61 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $12K repeat.
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 235% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to strengthen and enrich the quality of life in Tacoma and Pierce County. It says it values programmatic and fiscal accountability, transparency, innovative solutions, planning and evaluation, strategic alliances, and diverse leadership.
The 2025 grants include general operating support for organizations in the arts, education, youth services, health, and other fields. The grantee organizations describe their own work in varied terms: Tacoma Arts Live says it energizes the community through performance and celebrates cultures, with youth development among its main program elements; Tacoma Art Museum says it shares art to inspire broader perspectives; and Museum of Glass says it promotes creativity, discovery, and glassmaking. Helping Hand House describes its work as providing emergency shelter and housing solutions for families experiencing homelessness.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation awarded 61 grants totaling $1,528,500. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $150,000, with a median of $15,000.
Among the largest reported awards were $150,000 to America’s Automotive Trust for general operating support; $100,000 to University of Washington Foundation for a collaborative leadership project; $85,000 to Tacoma Arts Live for annual general operating support; and $80,000 to Tacoma Art Museum for general operating support. Other large awards included $70,000 to Museum of Glass and $60,000 to College Success Foundation - Tacoma.
Review Cycle
The website gives no specific proposal due dates. It says operating support requests should be submitted within two months of the beginning of the applicant organization’s fiscal year, and that capital requests are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The foundation prefers to decide grants before or near the project start date and to receive capital requests before the project begins.
How to Apply
The website describes a two-stage process. Eligible organizations with a strong match to the foundation’s charitable giving interests may submit a Stage One Request through its online application system. Organizations whose Stage One Request is approved are invited to submit a Stage Two Request. Applicants seeking general operating support use a financial trend report form for Stage Two; program or project applicants use organization and program/project financial trend forms. The foundation generally will not favor requests for annual appeals, debt retirement, endowments, individuals, private or operating foundations, school-related tours, or production of films, videos, or publications. It does not fund lobbying or efforts to influence elections or legislation.
Ready to take the next step with Sequoia Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website states that the foundation supports organizations and efforts based in and serving Pierce County and its residents. In filing year 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to Washington recipients, 1% to New York, 1% to New Hampshire, and less than 1% to North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 61 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2025) to $1.8M (2022). In 2025 it made 61 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was America's Automotive Trust ($150K). Together the top 10 received $745K.
Grant Size Distribution
341 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 273 grants of 341 (80%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| America's Automotive Trust Tacoma, WA | Cy 2024 General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| University of Washington Foundation Seattle, WA | Collaborative Leadership Project at the Center for | $100,000 |
| Tacoma Arts Live Tacoma, WA | Cy 2023 General Operating Support (Annual) | $85,000 |
| Tacoma Art Museum Tacoma, WA | FYE 6/2024 General Operating Support (Annual) | $80,000 |
| Museum of Glass Tacoma, WA | FYE 6/2024 General Operating Support | $70,000 |
| College Success Foundation - Tacoma Tacoma, WA | FYE 6/2024 General Operating Support | $60,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound Tacoma, WA | Cy 2024 General Operating Support (Annual) | $50,000 |
| Seattle Symphony Seattle, WA | FYE 8/2025 General Operating Support (Annual) | $50,000 |
| University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA | FYE 6/2024 General Operating Support (Annual) | $50,000 |
| Mary Bridge Children's Foundation Tacoma, WA | Cy 2024 General Operating | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,829,696 | $2,054,893 | $1,991,946 | $1,528,500 |
| 2024 | $11,743,897 | $113,560 | $2,012,409 | $1,553,000 |
| 2023 | $13,092,818 | $859,016 | $2,186,675 | $1,670,500 |
The 2025 filing reports 61 grants; the 2024 and 2023 filings report 74 and 68 grants, respectively.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,829,696 | $11,743,897 | $13,092,818 |
| Revenue | $2,054,893 | $113,560 | $859,016 |
| Expenses | $1,991,946 | $2,012,409 | $2,186,675 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,947,324 | $1,961,666 | $2,121,672 |
| Net Investment Income | $167,302 | $71,973 | $361,923 |
| Distributable Amount | $827,263 | $796,369 | $841,029 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists William T Weyerhaeuser as president and treasurer; W Drew Weyerhaeuser as vice president; Gail T Weyerhaeuser and Benjamin D Weyerhaeuser as directors; John Keolker as secretary; and Brian F Boyd as executive director.
Sequoia Foundation is led by Brian F. Boyd, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brian F. Boyd
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William T. Weyerhaeuser
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin D. Weyerhaeuser
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gail T. Weyerhaeuser
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Keolker
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
W. Drew Weyerhaeuser
Vice President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Application contact: Applications Should Be Submitted On
Mailing address: 1250 Pacific Avenue Suite 870, Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 627-1634
Email: grants@grantmakerconsultants.com
Website: https://sequoiafound.org
Frequently asked questions about Sequoia Foundation
How much does Sequoia Foundation give each year?
Sequoia Foundation gave $1.5M across 61 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 74 grants.
What is Sequoia Foundation's typical grant size?
Sequoia Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $25,057, across 61 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sequoia Foundation that year got $23K on average.
Where does Sequoia Foundation give grants?
Sequoia Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tacoma, WA (44 grants), Seattle, WA (9 grants) and Puyallup, WA (2 grants).
Does Sequoia Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 82% of Sequoia Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (50 of 61) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Sequoia Foundation's largest grantees?
Sequoia Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include America's Automotive Trust ($150,000), University of Washington Foundation ($100,000) and Tacoma Arts Live ($85,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Sequoia Foundation?
Sequoia Foundation reported $11.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $827K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sequoia Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to strengthen and enrich the quality of life in Tacoma and Pierce County. It says it values programmatic and fiscal accountability, transparency, innovative solutions, planning and evaluation, strategic alliances, and diverse leadership. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sequoia Foundation?
The website describes a two-stage process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sequoia Foundation's EIN?
Sequoia Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1178052. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Sequoia Foundation by hand.
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