The Conru Foundation is a private foundation established in 2017 by technology entrepreneur Andrew Conru and based in Seattle, Washington. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting innovative projects and organizations aligned with its core values of critical thinking, evidence-based problem-solving, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$39.6M
+8.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+49.3% YoY
Grant Count
92
+100.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-25.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated purpose is the promotion of freedom of speech and religion through an online community facilitating open discussions on diverse philosophical topics, with a goal of fostering enlightenment values of truth, evidence, and free inquiry.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Educational Advancement
- Environmental Stewardship
- Humanitarian Aid
- LGBTQ+ Rights and Services
- Women's Health
- Media Integrity
- Climate & Sustainability
- Arts & Culture
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 26 grants totaling approximately $1,160,000 (with an additional $300,000 to the National Progress Alliance and $150,000 to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology documented separately). Notable 2023 grantees included:
Grant Range
s & Range:**
Average Grant
amounts vary by funding cycle
Review Cycle
- Primary contact: nonie@conruartfoundation.org
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes Washington state but is not strictly limited to U.S.-based nonprofits. Primary giving focuses on Washington, New York, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $39,557,391 (most recent filing, 2024)
- $36,538,198 (2023)
- $30,199,694 (2020)
Annual Giving:
- $2,373,294 (2024)
- $1,590,000 (2023)
- $1,404,204 in total revenues (2023)
Total Expenses:
- $1,761,423 (2023)
Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,557,391 | $36,538,198 | $36,860,749 |
| Revenue | $7,656,428 | $1,404,204 | $6,771,781 |
| Expenses | $2,711,001 | $1,761,423 | $915,302 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,579,911 | $1,672,205 | $839,215 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,636,576 | $1,326,406 | $1,327,737 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,960,421 | $1,829,778 | $1,413,805 |
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
172 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Andrew Conru — Founder and President. A Stanford-trained engineer with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering who founded several technology companies and created internet applications for e-commerce, advertising, and online dating. Conru has shifted his philanthropic focus toward initiatives that bring people together and foster understanding, with increasing emphasis on supporting the arts and education.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDREW CONRU | CHAIR., PRES., V.P., TREAS. | 20 | — |
| NONIE CONRU | SECRETARY | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Seattle Prize Masters Fellowship:** The Conru Art Foundation established the Seattle Prize Masters Fellowship and relocated the Masters Academy of Art to Seattle.
Conru Foundation - Grant Information & Application Details - Hinchilla**TransResearch Initiative:** Andrew Conru is exploring funding up to $1,000,000 in rigorous, transparent, community-driven research on gender identity through the Conru Foundation, with public input on research priorities.
Conru Foundation - Grant Information & Application Details - Hinchilla**Notable Grantees (Historical):**
The foundation has supported organizations including Thorn Inc., Pineapple Support Society, Planned Parenthood, RAINN, Polaris Project, Drug Policy Alliance, The Trevor Project, Human Rights Campaign, Trans-Thrive/SF Community Health, SIECUS, Free Speech Coalition, Grist, Post Carbon Institute, Electronic Frontier Foundation, American Conservation Coalition, and Lava Mae.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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