The Bamford Foundation
The Bamford Foundation is a private foundation based in Tacoma, Washington. Established in 1990 by Calvin D. Bamford, Jr. and Joanne Bamford, it supports nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life and strengthen communities, primarily in greater Tacoma and Pierce County.
The Bamford Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bamford Foundation gave $1.7M across 140 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,712,705
- +11.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 140
- -10.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,234
- +24.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $24,339,540
- -1.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Bamford Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Organizations may submit a letter of inquiry through the foundation’s online grants portal. The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. For 2025, it stated that it would focus on leveraging the impact of grants under $15,000 with new and existing grant partners.
- Review Cycle
- The stated 2025 grant cycles were during the winter, spring, and summer quarters; these cycles have passed.
- Deadline
- The stated 2025 grant cycles were during the winter, spring, and summer quarters; these cycles have passed.
- Contact
Application contact: Holly Bamford
Mailing address: PO Box 1135, Tacoma, WA 98401
Phone: (253) 905-7614
Email: holly@bamfordfoundation.org
Website: https://www.bamfordfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Bamford Foundation
Who The Bamford Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties ($167K). Together the top 10 received $612K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($28,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
562 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 528 grants of 562 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its giving is primarily focused on greater Tacoma and Pierce County. In filing year 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, 1% to Illinois, and less than 1% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 140 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Bamford Foundation gives
- 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 32% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 146% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2023) to $3.5M (2021). In 2025 it made 140 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties Tacoma, WA | Pearl Street Y Campaign Support | $166,666 |
| Foundation for Tacoma Students Tacoma, WA | General Support | $82,500 |
| Asia Pacific Cultural Center Tacoma, WA | Education and Mentoring Programs. | $65,000 |
| First 5 Fundamentals Tacoma, WA | General Support | $50,264 |
| Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Tacoma, WA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center Tacoma, WA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Tacoma Tacoma, WA | Program Support | $48,000 |
| Brightspark Early Learning Services Renton, WA | Advocacy Grant | $40,000 |
| Foss Waterway Seaport Museum Tacoma, WA | Program Support | $35,000 |
| Goodwill of the Olympics and Ranier Tacoma, WA | Postsecondary Pathways - General Support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Bamford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,339,540 | $1,625,437 | $1,889,977 | $1,712,705 | 140 | $1,850,411 | — | $1,263,707 |
| 2024 | $24,604,080 | $11,226,787 | $1,690,887 | $1,534,718 | 156 | $1,627,619 | $90,005 | $855,112 |
| 2023 | $15,068,180 | $307,702 | $43,971 | $35,000 | 3 | $42,626 | $307,702 | $58,206 |
| 2022 | $13,477,074 | $1,458,838 | $2,654,552 | $2,504,132 | 142 | $2,587,240 | $536,673 | $695,692 |
| 2021 | $12,392,279 | $2,467,350 | $3,634,327 | $3,502,773 | 121 | — | $799,878 | $707,305 |
| 2020 | $13,559,256 | $5,224,146 | $3,300,454 | $3,166,893 | 109 | — | $2,393,487 | $663,751 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bamford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to improve the quality of life of individuals and strengthen their communities, primarily in Tacoma and the South Puget Sound area. Its four giving priorities are basic needs; early learning and parent support; expanded learning opportunities; and post-secondary education and job training. The foundation describes its support as directed to efforts that are evidence-based and innovative, promote equity, diversity, access, and inclusion, and involve collaboration with community partners.
Its 2025 filing describes basic needs as including access to food, physical and mental or behavioral health care, housing and shelter, clothing, and financial stability. The foundation says it supports organizations that promote self-sufficiency by helping people meet basic needs.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Foundation for Tacoma Students says it works to increase Tacoma Public Schools students’ graduation rates and completion of college degrees or technical certificates. Asia Pacific Cultural Center says it bridges communities and generations through art, culture, education, and business. BrightSpark Early Learning Services describes work to support child-centered, antiracist early learning communities, help families access care, coach and train providers, and advocate for childcare solutions. Communities in Schools of Tacoma says it surrounds students with community support to help them stay in school and achieve in life.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 140 grants totaling $1,712,705. Grant amounts ranged from $400 to $166,666, with a median grant of $8,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $166,666 to YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties for Pearl Street Y campaign support; $82,500 to the Foundation for Tacoma Students for general support; $65,000 to Asia Pacific Cultural Center for education and mentoring programs; and $50,264 to First 5 Fundamentals for general support. Other notable grants included $50,000 each to Greater Tacoma Community Foundation and Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, $48,000 to Communities in Schools of Tacoma for program support, and $40,000 to BrightSpark Early Learning Services for an advocacy grant.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Calvin Bamford Jr. as president and treasurer; Joanne Bamford as vice president and director; Holly Bamford as secretary and director; and Drew Bamford and Heather Bamford as directors.
The Bamford Foundation is led by Calvin Bamford Jr., President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Calvin Bamford Jr.
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly Bamford
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2024
20 hrs/week
$86K (2024) → $127K (2025)
Drew Bamford
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Bamford
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joanne Bamford
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Holly Bamford Hunt (2020–2023) — Secretary & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $127K, to Holly Bamford (Secretary / Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Bamford Foundation
How much does The Bamford Foundation give each year?
The Bamford Foundation gave $1.7M across 140 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 156 grants.
What is The Bamford Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bamford Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,000, and its average grant was $12,234, across 140 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bamford Foundation give grants?
The Bamford Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tacoma, WA (91 grants), Seattle, WA (12 grants), Lakewood, WA (3 grants) and Federal Way, WA (2 grants).
Does The Bamford Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of The Bamford Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (70 of 140) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Expanded Learning OPP." (12 grants), "Basic Needs" (10 grants) and "Program Support" (9 grants).
Who are The Bamford Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bamford Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties ($166,666), Foundation for Tacoma Students ($82,500) and Asia Pacific Cultural Center ($65,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($28,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Bamford Foundation?
The Bamford Foundation reported $24.3M 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 $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Bamford Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to improve the quality of life of individuals and strengthen their communities, primarily in Tacoma and the South Puget Sound area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bamford Foundation?
Organizations may submit a letter of inquiry through the foundation’s online grants portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bamford Foundation's EIN?
The Bamford Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1504193. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 26, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bamford Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Bamford Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-bamford-foundation-morg_d9a2e6637fdd41aca84d5eb521c29a5a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911504193_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Bamford Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-bamford-foundation-morg_d9a2e6637fdd41aca84d5eb521c29a5a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 The Bamford 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.
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