The Dimmer Family Foundation
The Dimmer Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) family foundation established in 1993 and based in Tacoma, Washington. Since its inception, the foundation has granted over $15 million to qualified charities, primarily serving the Tacoma-Pierce County region. The foundation supports organizations of all sizes and makes grants to more than 100 charitable organizations annually.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.5M
+3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$305K
-57.7% YoY
Grant Count
82
-6.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-54.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dimmer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $802K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Health care and human services
- Children, families, and the elderly
- Military and veterans
- Civic improvements and social services
- Animals and the environment
The foundation is proud to support both capital projects and operating support or program funding. Grants reflect the diverse interests of family members.
Grantmaking
Grant Types
How to Apply
** The Board meets twice yearly to review grant requests. The foundation emphasizes past relationships and the relevance of the organization's mission. Updates from previously funded organizations are encouraged. The foundation considers a few new requests each year.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington, with some grants extending to Oregon and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $14,486,375
- Total Giving: $305,280
- Revenue: $9.52 million
- Expenses: $947,000
- Total Liabilities: $87
Tax-Exempt Status: The foundation has been tax-exempt since June 1994 (EIN: 91-1622059).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,486,375 | $14,049,671 | $5,162,643 |
| Revenue | $1,876,771 | $9,519,790 | $91,139 |
| Expenses | $573,147 | $947,216 | $423,669 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $368,880 | $790,143 | $355,189 |
| Net Investment Income | $495,205 | $74,403 | $72,381 |
| Distributable Amount | $801,540 | $317,252 | $212,045 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Dimmer Family Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lewis & Clark Law School ($15,000), Greentrike ($13,830), Mary Bridge Children's Foundation ($10,100).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALS NORTHWEST PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $5,100 |
| AMARA TACOMA, WA | GENERAL | $3,500 |
| ARK INSTITUTE OF LEARNING TACOMA, WA | GENERAL | $1,000 |
| ARMY EMERGENY RELIEF ARLINGTON, VA | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL | $3,000 |
| ASIA PACIFIC CULTURAL CENTER TACOMA, WA | GENERAL | $1,500 |
| ASSOCIATED MINISTRIES TACOMA TACOMA, WA | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTH PUGET SOUND TACOMA, WA | GENERAL | $10,000 |
| BRYANT NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TACOMA, WA | GENERAL | $4,000 |
| CAROL MILGARD BREAST CENTER FOUNDATION TACOMA, WA | GENERAL | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders:
- John C. Dimmer (April 19, 1928 – March 28, 2021)
- Marilyn J. Dimmer (August 9, 1930 – May 23, 2023)
Both were lifelong Tacoma area residents who made their home in Lakewood from 1957 onward. John graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering and had a career in business, including serving as President of Western Plastics Corporation (1960-1980) and Managing Member of Firs Management, L.L.C. Marilyn graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Elementary Education and taught third grade at Edison Elementary School in Tacoma before retiring in 1960.
Current Leadership:
- Executive Director: Diane Dimmer
Board Members: Carolyn Dimmer, Diane Dimmer, John Dimmer (as of incorporation records)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANE C DIMMER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
| JOHN B DIMMER | PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CAROLYN DIMMER | VICE-PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DIANE C DIMMER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 710, Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: 253-572-4607
Email: info@dimmerfoundation.org
Website: www.dimmerfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Dimmer Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • Arts and culture • Education • Health care and human services • Children, families, and the elderly • Military and veterans • Civic improvements and social services • Animals and the environment The foundation is proud to support both capital projects and operating support or program funding. Grants reflect the diverse interests of family members.
How do I apply for a grant from The Dimmer Family Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $85,000 to $150,000. **Grant Types:** The foundation makes grants for both operating support and program funding, as well as capital projects. **Application Process:** The Board meets twice yearly to review grant requests. The foundation emphasizes past relationships and the relevance of the organization's mission. Updates from previously funded organizations are encouraged. The foundation considers a few new requests each year. **Recent Grant Activi…
Where does The Dimmer Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington, with some grants extending to Oregon and Georgia.
What size grants does The Dimmer Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Dimmer Family Foundation awarded 82 grants totaling $305K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Dimmer Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Dimmer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $802K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Dimmer Family Foundation's EIN?
The Dimmer Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1622059. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Dimmer Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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