The Brainerd Foundation
The Brainerd Foundation was a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington. Its 2020 grants were listed primarily for environmental preservation, supporting organizations working on conservation, environmental law, and related issues.
The Brainerd Foundation at a glance
In short: The Brainerd Foundation gave $3.3M across 98 grants in 2020 (avg $34K), top state Oregon. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $3,342,164
- Grants made (2020)
- 98
- Average grant
- $34,104
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $1,639,236
- Primary geography
- Oregon (44% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Brainerd Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 200 W Mercer St Suite E300, Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: (206) 285-7242
Website: https://www.brainerd.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Brainerd Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Oregon Community Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
98 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 98 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2020, grant dollars were distributed primarily to recipients in Oregon (44%), followed by the District of Columbia (13%), Montana (9%), Alaska (7%), and Washington (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 98 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 98 grants totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Community Foundation Portland, OR | Environmental Preservation | $1,002,374 |
| League of Conserv Voters Ed Fnd Washington, DC | Environmental Preservation | $250,000 |
| Social Venture Partners Seattle, WA | Environmental Preservation | $150,000 |
| Montana Conservation Voters Ed Fund Billings, MT | Environmental Preservation | $100,000 |
| Earthjustice San Francisco, CA | Environmental Preservation | $100,000 |
| Central Oregon Landwatch Bend, OR | Environmental Preservation | $75,000 |
| Earthjustice San Francisco, CA | Environmental Preservation | $75,000 |
| Alaska Center Education Fund Anchorage, AK | Environmental Preservation | $75,000 |
| Olcv Ed Fund Portland, OR | Environmental Preservation | $75,000 |
| Alaska Center Education Fund Anchorage, AK | Environmental Preservation | $75,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As part of its dissolution plan, the foundation distributed its remaining assets to Oregon Community Foundation, retaining enough cash to finalize administrative operations in 2021. The filing states that these asset distributions were cash except for interests in Legacy Venture III, LLC and Legacy Venture IV, LLC, which were distributed to Oregon Community Foundation with fair market values of $340,353 and $662,021, respectively. These distributions are separate from the 2020 grant total above.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $1,639,236 | $-365,627 | $4,224,570 | $3,342,164 | 98 | $190,914 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Brainerd Foundation reported a distributable amount of $191K for 2020 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The 2020 grant records show support for environmental preservation. Among the grantees, Earthjustice describes its work as using law and partnership to protect health, places, and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. Central Oregon LandWatch describes its mission as defending and planning for Central Oregon’s livable future. Trustees for Alaska says it provides legal counsel to protect and defend Alaska’s lands, waters, wildlife, and people.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation made 98 grants totaling $3,342,164. Grants ranged from $25 to $1,002,374, with a median of $7,500. Notable awards included $1,002,374 to Oregon Community Foundation, $250,000 to League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, and $150,000 to Social Venture Partners. Other large grants included $100,000 each to Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund and Earthjustice.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2020 filing listed Paul Brainerd as president and treasurer; Ann Krumboltz as vice president; Sherry E. Brainerd as vice president and secretary; and Nalinda Kehoe as co-director.
The Brainerd Foundation is led by Paul Brainerd, President & Treasurer on the 2020 filing; 2 of 4 officers listed in 2020 are compensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Paul Brainerd
President & Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nalinda Kehoe
Co-Director
New on the 2020 filing
30 hrs/week
$145K (2020)
Ann Krumboltz
Vice President
New on the 2020 filing
40 hrs/week
$195K (2020)
Sherry E. Brainerd
Vice President & Secretary
New on the 2020 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $195K, to Ann Krumboltz (Vice President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Brainerd Foundation
How much does The Brainerd Foundation give each year?
The Brainerd Foundation gave $3.3M across 98 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The Brainerd Foundation's typical grant size?
The Brainerd Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $7,500, and its average grant was $34,104, across 98 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Brainerd Foundation give grants?
The Brainerd Foundation's top state is Oregon, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (13%) and Montana (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (20 grants), Bend, OR (9 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants) and San Francisco, CA (6 grants).
Does The Brainerd Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2020: none of the 98 grants with a stated purpose on The Brainerd Foundation's 2020 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Environmental Preservation" (98 grants).
Who are The Brainerd Foundation's largest grantees?
The Brainerd Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include Oregon Community Foundation ($1,002,374), League of Conserv Voters Ed Fnd ($300,000 across 2 grants) and Earthjustice ($181,500 across 4 grants), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
How large is The Brainerd Foundation?
The Brainerd Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does The Brainerd Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The 2020 grant records show support for environmental preservation. Among the grantees, Earthjustice describes its work as using law and partnership to protect health, places, and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Brainerd Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Brainerd Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, The Brainerd Foundation reported a distributable amount of $191K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Brainerd Foundation's EIN?
The Brainerd Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1675591. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Does The Brainerd Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
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Figures come from The Brainerd 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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