The Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation based in Spokane, Washington. Established in 1998, the foundation serves the Inland Northwest region, which encompasses Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle—an area of over one million people. The foundation operates as both a grantmaker and fiscal sponsor for nonprofit organizations, with a particular focus on addressing systemic inequities in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.9M
-4.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
-15.5% YoY
Grant Count
51
-8.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-7.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund reported a distributable amount of $924K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on helping tear down barriers for people and groups locked out of systems, enabling them to achieve the power necessary to not only survive, but thrive.
The foundation operates through three primary strategic approaches:
Build Human Potential — Through grants and activism, the Progressive Fund helps ensure vulnerable residents have access to tools and resources to thrive.
Build Power — Through fiscal sponsorships, grants, advocacy, and activism, the foundation works to dismantle barriers for marginalized people and groups.
Foster Nonprofit Creativity and Ingenuity — The foundation operates a unique program of incubation and fiscal sponsorships for startup nonprofits, serving as a host foundation for distinctive ideas.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the Inland Northwest region, with Spokane, Washington serving as the hub. This region includes Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle, serving a population of over one million people.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent available data (2023):
- Total Assets: $7.23 million
- Annual Revenue: $1.45 million
- Annual Expenses: $1.51 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since September 1998 (EIN: 91-1914985).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,907,804 | $7,225,149 | $7,278,771 |
| Revenue | $958,165 | $1,451,679 | $1,133,063 |
| Expenses | $1,275,510 | $1,505,301 | $1,421,040 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,019,105 | $1,205,438 | $1,132,259 |
| Net Investment Income | $488,054 | $993,842 | $1,046,402 |
| Distributable Amount | $923,806 | $836,721 | $729,688 |
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
238 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Miscellaneous Small Donations ($407,799), Maui Grassroots Collective ($75,510), Compassionate Addiction Treatment ($53,255).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK SPOKANE, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $10,000 |
| BLUE DOOR THEATRE SPOKANE, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $7,500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SPOKANE SPOKANE, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $15,000 |
| SPOKANE TRIBE OF INDIANS WELLPINT, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $10,000 |
| COMPASSIONATE ADDICTION TREATMENT SPOKANE, WA | ADDICTION TREATMENT AND SUPPORT | $53,255 |
| ELEVATIONS SPOKANE VALLEY, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $10,000 |
| SPOKANE RIVERKEEPER SPOKANE, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $7,500 |
| SPOKANE PRIDE SPOKANE, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $8,500 |
| SPOKANE INDEPENDENT METRO BUSINESS ALLIANCE (SIMBA) SPOKANE, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $5,000 |
| SPOKANE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL SPOKANE, WA | COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DONALD K BARBIERI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SHARON K SMITH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LERRIA SCHUH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $103,373 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund fund?
The foundation's mission centers on helping tear down barriers for people and groups locked out of systems, enabling them to achieve the power necessary to not only survive, but thrive. The foundation operates through three primary strategic approaches: **Build Human Potential** — Through grants and activism, the Progressive Fund helps ensure vulnerable residents have access to tools and resources to thrive. **Build Power** — Through fiscal sponsorships, grants, advocacy, and activism, the foun…
Where does Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the Inland Northwest region, with Spokane, Washington serving as the hub. This region includes Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle, serving a population of over one million people.
What size grants does Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund award?
In 2024, Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund awarded 51 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund reported a distributable amount of $924K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund's EIN?
Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1914985. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Smith-barbieri Progressive Fund'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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