Sequoia Foundation
The Sequoia Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Tacoma, Washington, established in 1983. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization committed to strengthening quality of life in the Tacoma and Pierce County region while also supporting initiatives across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.7M
-10.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
-7.0% YoY
Grant Count
74
+8.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
-14.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sequoia Foundation reported a distributable amount of $796K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is committed to strengthening and enriching the quality of life in Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington, and to enhancing environmental and economic outcomes in the Pacific Northwest.
The foundation supports work across several key areas:
Pierce County Program — Supports established programs in Pierce County, including:
- Basic Needs to Self-Sufficiency programs
- Children and Youth Development
- Community Building and Development
- Culture and the Arts
Ecological Economic Enterprise — Committed to supporting well-managed nonprofit organizations and citizen initiatives that develop, promote, and/or implement innovative, market-based strategies that cause positive environmental and economic outcomes within Washington and Oregon.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $2,500 to $150,000
Average Grant
amount varies by program type, ranging from approximately $7,500 to $35,833
How to Apply
** The foundation maintains guidelines and forms available on its website at sequoiafound.org.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple states and regions, with primary focus on:
- Washington (particularly Tacoma and Pierce County)
- Oregon
- Pacific Northwest region
Secondary funding activity documented in California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $11,743,897 (as of 2024)
Annual Giving: $1,961,666 (2024)
Revenue: $113,560 (2024)
Total Expenses: $2,012,409 (2024)
Giving Rate: 15.8% of assets
Liabilities: $0 (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,743,897 | $13,092,818 | $14,193,699 |
| Revenue | $113,560 | $859,016 | $4,184,314 |
| Expenses | $2,012,409 | $2,186,675 | $2,203,261 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,961,666 | $2,121,672 | $2,127,107 |
| Net Investment Income | $71,973 | $361,923 | $1,652,581 |
| Distributable Amount | $796,369 | $841,029 | $922,161 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include America's Automotive Trust ($150,000), College Success Foundation - Tacoma ($75,000), Museum of Glass ($70,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AIDS HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF TACOMA TACOMA, WA | CY 2024 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AKIN SEATTLE, WA | 7/2023-6/2024 KEY PENINSULA FAMILY SUPPORT AND SERVICES | $5,000 |
| AMARA TACOMA, WA | CY 2024 PIERCE COUNTY FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FORUM TACOMAPIERCE COUNTY TACOMA, WA | FYE 6/2024 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| AMERICA'S AUTOMOTIVE TRUST TACOMA, WA | CY 2024 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| ARTSFUND SEATTLE, WA | CY 2023 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - PIERCE COUNTY | $10,000 |
| ASSOCIATED MINISTRIES OF TACOMA PIERCE COUNTY TACOMA, WA | 2023 COMMUNITY RESOURCE CONNECTION CENTER | $10,000 |
| BARBARA JEAN BROWN FOUNDATION TACOMA, WA | 2023 OPERATION LONGTHRUST SUMMER CAMP | $5,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTH PUGET SOUND TACOMA, WA | CY 2024 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT (ANNUAL) | $10,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTH PUGET SOUND TACOMA, WA | CY 2024 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- William T. Weyerhaeuser — President and Treasurer (1 hour/week)
- W. Drew Weyerhaeuser — Vice President (1 hour/week)
- Gail T. Weyerhaeuser — Director (1 hour/week)
- Benjamin D. Weyerhaeuser — Director (1 hour/week)
- John Keolker — Secretary (1 hour/week)
- Brian F. Boyd — Executive Director (20 hours/week)
None of the board members or executives receive compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM T WEYERHAEUSER | PRESIDENT, TREASURER | 1 | — |
| GAIL T WEYERHAEUSER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN KEOLKER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| BRIAN F BOYD | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
| W DREW WEYERHAEUSER | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| BENJAMIN D WEYERHAEUSER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sequoia Foundation fund?
The foundation is committed to strengthening and enriching the quality of life in Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington, and to enhancing environmental and economic outcomes in the Pacific Northwest. The foundation supports work across several key areas: **Pierce County Program** — Supports established programs in Pierce County, including: • Basic Needs to Self-Sufficiency programs • Children and Youth Development • Community Building and Development • Culture and the Arts **Ecological Economic …
How do I apply for a grant from Sequoia Foundation?
**Grant Ranges:** Typical awards range from $2,500 to $150,000 **Recent Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $1,961,666 • Grants awarded: 189 grants (some sources report 74 grants) • Median grant amount: $10,000 • Average grant amount varies by program type, ranging from approximately $7,500 to $35,833 **Grant Programs:** The foundation offers general operating support grants across multiple funding cycles (annual, calendar year, and fiscal year cycles). **Application Process:** The foundation ma…
Where does Sequoia Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple states and regions, with primary focus on: • Washington (particularly Tacoma and Pierce County) • Oregon • Pacific Northwest region Secondary funding activity documented in California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and New York.
What size grants does Sequoia Foundation award?
In 2024, Sequoia Foundation awarded 74 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sequoia Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sequoia Foundation reported a distributable amount of $796K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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