Svanee's Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Seattle, Washington. Established in 2015, the foundation was founded by retired dentist Russell Castner and his wife Svanhild. The foundation operates as a nonoperating private foundation with no employees and takes a proactive approach to grantmaking focused on animal welfare and related causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+143.5% YoY
Grant Count
24
-11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$79K
+174.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a public website or published mission statement. However, based on grantmaking patterns, Svanee's Foundation primarily funds organizations working in:
- Animal Welfare & Rescue: Animal rescue and rehabilitation, animal adoptions, and domesticated animal care
- Wildlife Conservation: Wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife care
- Animal Research & Medicine: Veterinary medicine and research dedicated to studying animals and their environments
- Human-Animal Interactions: Programs supporting positive relationships between humans and animals
- Senior Animal Services: Senior dog placements and retired greyhound placements
Grantmaking
The foundation provides multiple types of support including general operating support, general support, and program-specific funding. Recent grant programs have included support for senior dog placements, retired greyhound placements, and animal sanctuary operations.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $1,025,000
Average Grant
$48,200
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes grantmaking to organizations based in Washington state, where the foundation is headquartered. Organizations located outside of Washington state will have minimal prospects for funding.
Past Grantees Include:
- Seattle Humane Society
- Save a Forgotten Equine
- Sarvey Wildlife Care Center
- Central Valley Animal Rescue
- Greyhound Pets Inc.
- Progressive Animal Welfare Society
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,173,207
- Total Annual Giving: $1,898,325
- Annual Revenue: $767,281
- Total Expenses: $1,965,081
- Giving Rate: 30.8% of assets
Revenue Sources (2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $216,940
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $550,341
Historical Assets:
- 2024: $6,173,207
- 2023: $7,149,063
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
104 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Seattle Humane Society ($1,025,000), Sarvey Wildlife ($125,300), Save a Forgotten Equine ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
| SAVE A FORGOTTEN EQUINE WOODINVILLE, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $125,000 |
| SAVE-A-MUTT SILVANA, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $2,000 |
| ALLEY CAT PROJECT SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| CENTER VALLEY ANIMAL RESCUE QUILCENE, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $28,525 |
| COMMUNITY CAT COALITION MUKILTEO, WA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| MUSTLUVBOXERS RESCUE STANWOOD, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF US WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $35,000 |
| OLD DOG HAVEN LAKE STEVENS, WA | SENIOR DOG PLACEMENT | $100,000 |
| CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY NW CLE ELUM, WA | PROVIDE SANCTUARY FOR | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Svanhild S Castner — President (1 hour per week)
- Russell Castner — Vice President (1 hour per week)
- Cari Wyszynski — Director (1 hour per week)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SVANHILD S CASTNER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| RUSSELL CASTNER | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| CARI WYSZYNSKI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Svanee's Foundation fund?
The foundation does not maintain a public website or published mission statement. However, based on grantmaking patterns, Svanee's Foundation primarily funds organizations working in: • **Animal Welfare & Rescue**: Animal rescue and rehabilitation, animal adoptions, and domesticated animal care • **Wildlife Conservation**: Wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife care • **Animal Research & Medicine**: Veterinary medicine and research dedicated to studying animals and their environments • **Human-Anima…
How do I apply for a grant from Svanee's Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • 2024: 24 grants totaling $1,898,325 • 2023: 27 grants totaling approximately $780,000 • 2022: 23 grants totaling approximately $1.1 million **Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $1,000 to $1,025,000 • Median grant size: $5,000 to $20,000 • Average grant size: $48,200 **Grant Types:** The foundation provides multiple types of support including general operating support, general support, and program-specific funding. Recent grant programs have included support for senior…
Where does Svanee's Foundation make grants?
The foundation prioritizes grantmaking to organizations based in Washington state, where the foundation is headquartered. Organizations located outside of Washington state will have minimal prospects for funding. **Past Grantees Include:** • Seattle Humane Society • Save a Forgotten Equine • Sarvey Wildlife Care Center • Central Valley Animal Rescue • Greyhound Pets Inc. • Progressive Animal Welfare Society
What size grants does Svanee's Foundation award?
In 2024, Svanee's Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $79K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Svanee's Foundation's EIN?
Svanee's Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1169463. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Svanee's Foundation'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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