The Behnke Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SEATTLE, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $349K. Net investment income was $189K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
-7.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$349K
+201.5% YoY
Grant Count
11
-21.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
+283.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Behnke Foundation reported a distributable amount of $148K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Behnke Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Behnke Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SEATTLE, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $349K. Net investment income was $189K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,122,986 | $2,291,795 | $2,259,463 |
| Revenue | $214,510 | $179,464 | $204,231 |
| Expenses | $383,319 | $147,132 | $150,077 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $353,493 | $120,063 | $121,516 |
| Net Investment Income | $188,730 | $154,878 | $178,640 |
| Distributable Amount | $148,400 | $140,468 | $148,264 |
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
60 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cornish College of the Arts ($332,499), Wellspring Family Services ($6,226), Skidmore College ($2,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FERAL CAT SANCTUARY LYNNWOOD, WA | ANIMAL RESCUE | $1,750 |
| CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS SEATTLE, WA | ARTS AND CULTURE | $332,499 |
| FIFTH AVENUE THEATER SEATTLE, WA | ARTS AND CULTURE | $1,000 |
| WOODLAND PARK ZOO SEATTLE, WA | ARTS AND CULTURE | $500 |
| CALYX PRESS CORVALLIS, OR | ARTS AND CULTURE | $50 |
| SKIDMORE COLLEGE SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | EDUCATION | $2,500 |
| SEATTLE AQUARIUM SEATTLE, WA | EDUCATION | $1,000 |
| SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SEATTLE, WA | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $1,500 |
| THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY KETCHUM, ID | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $1,000 |
| WELLSPRING FAMILY SERVICES SEATTLE, WA | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $6,226 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARL BEHNKE | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MARISA BEHNKE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MERRILL BEHNKE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| RENEE BEHNKE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Behnke Foundation?
The Behnke Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SEATTLE, WA. It holds $2.1M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Behnke Foundation?
As of 2024, The Behnke Foundation holds $2.1M in total assets with $215K in annual revenue. It awarded 11 grants totaling $349K in 2024.
Where does The Behnke Foundation operate?
The Behnke Foundation has awarded grants in California, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington.
What size grants does The Behnke Foundation award?
In 2024, The Behnke Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $349K — an average of about $32K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Behnke Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Behnke Foundation reported a distributable amount of $148K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Behnke Foundation's EIN?
The Behnke Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-6025144. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Behnke Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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