The Columbia Foundation
The Columbia Foundation is a private foundation, based in Seattle, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $736K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $48K. Net investment income was $32K.
The Columbia Foundation at a glance
In short: The Columbia Foundation gave $48K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $48,000
- -11.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,000
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $736,315
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (63% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Columbia Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bitterroot Christian Ministries Inc ($18K). Together the top 8 received $48K.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 55 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Columbia Foundation gives
- Giving fell 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $42K (2021) to $61K (2023). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $48K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot Christian Ministries Inc Corvallis, MT | Operating Expenses | $18,000 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | Operating Expenses | $12,000 |
| Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Seattle, WA | Operating Expenses | $3,000 |
| Lakeside School Seattle, WA | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Maltby Food Bank Snohomish, WA | Operating Expenses | $3,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Seattle, WA | Operating Expenses | $3,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Seattle, WA | Operating Expenses | $3,000 |
| Seattle Childrens Hospital Foundation Seattle, WA | Operating Expenses | $3,000 |
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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 | $736,315 | $35,389 | $54,870 | $48,000 | 8 | $51,156 | $32,121 | $55,734 |
| 2024 | $755,796 | $38,846 | $60,089 | $54,000 | 10 | $56,744 | $36,001 | $53,639 |
| 2023 | $777,976 | $103,042 | $67,452 | $61,000 | 14 | $63,479 | $100,465 | $49,528 |
| 2022 | $741,449 | $32,378 | $65,964 | $60,000 | 13 | $62,739 | $29,564 | $54,813 |
| 2021 | $775,035 | $53,321 | $48,327 | $42,000 | 10 | — | $50,468 | $55,906 |
| 2020 | $770,440 | $66,221 | $50,140 | $53,450 | 13 | — | $63,245 | $49,208 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Columbia Foundation reported a distributable amount of $56K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Columbia Foundation is led by Mary Y. Silk, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Y. Silk
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Y. Jones
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas P. Youell Jr.
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Glen B. Youell (2020) — Treasurer & Secretary
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Columbia Foundation
How much does The Columbia Foundation give each year?
The Columbia Foundation gave $48K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $54K across 10 grants.
What is The Columbia Foundation's typical grant size?
The Columbia Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $6,000, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Columbia Foundation give grants?
The Columbia Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Montana (38%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (6 grants).
Does The Columbia Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of The Columbia Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Columbia Foundation's largest grantees?
The Columbia Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Bitterroot Christian Ministries Inc ($18,000), University of Washington ($12,000) and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research ($3,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Columbia Foundation?
The Columbia Foundation reported $736K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $51K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $56K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is The Columbia Foundation's EIN?
The Columbia Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-6028623. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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