The Foster Foundation
The Foster Foundation is a family philanthropic organization established in 1984 and based in Kirkland, Washington. It operates as a private foundation dedicated to advancing the quality of life for present and future generations across the Pacific Northwest region. Since its establishment, the Foundation has invested over $100 million in nonprofit organizations aligned with its priority funding areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$57.1M
+14.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+5.4% YoY
Grant Count
59
-4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
+10.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Foster Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation works to enhance the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest through support in the following priority areas:
- Social Services and Human Welfare — Providing critical human services for people and families in need
- Education — Expanding opportunity for learning and academic success
- Medical Research, Treatment and Care — Advancing the understanding, treatment and prevention of disease
- Community Engagement — Ensuring access and enrichment for all
The Foundation places special emphasis on meeting the needs of underserved and disadvantaged populations, particularly children, women, and seniors.
Grantmaking
The Foundation has shifted to a proactive approach to funding. It no longer accepts or reviews unsolicited proposals or funding requests. Instead, the Foundation invites qualifying organizations to submit proposals.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation funds nonprofit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest region, specifically in:
- Washington
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Montana
- Alaska
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $50,018,756
- Total Revenues: $2,124,692
- Total Expenses: $2,178,365
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 1
Notable Commitment: The Foundation made a $50 million gift to the University of Washington's Foster School of Business, honoring the family legacy of education.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $57,067,901 | $50,018,756 | $50,072,429 |
| Revenue | $9,923,130 | $2,124,692 | $6,107,839 |
| Expenses | $2,873,985 | $2,178,365 | $2,458,127 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,409,531 | $2,324,555 | $2,070,926 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,922,500 | $1,656,092 | $5,680,001 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,366,292 | $2,119,975 | $2,163,613 |
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 Foster Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Swedish Medical Center Foundation ($260,000), Montlake Futures ($160,000), Overlake Medical Center Foundation ($135,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AKIN SEATTLE, WA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
| AMARA SEATTLE, WA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
| BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION BELLEVUE, WA | EDUCATION | $10,000 |
| BOYER CHILDREN'S CLINIC SEATTLE, WA | MEDICAL | $10,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BELLEVUE BELLEVUE, WA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
| CAMP KOREY MOUNT VERNON, WA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
| CANCER LIFELINE SEATTLE, WA | MEDICAL | $10,000 |
| COMPASS HOUSING ALLIANCE SEATTLE, WA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
| CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | MEDICAL | $5,000 |
| DOWNTOWN EMERGENCY SERVICE CENTER SEATTLE, WA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and Governors:
- Karen O. Rowe
- Michael G. Foster Jr.
- Todd R. Patrick
- James Bradford Smith
Registered Agent:
- Karen Rowe
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL G FOSTER JR | PRESIDENT | 3 | $30,000 |
| KAREN O ROWE | CORP. SECRETARY/TREASURER | 15 | $78,750 |
| TODD PATRICK | DIRECTOR | 1 | $10,000 |
| J BRADFORD SMITH | DIRECTOR | 1 | $10,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 13 Central Way, Suite A Kirkland, WA 98033-6105
Phone: 206-726-1815
Email: info@thefosterfoundation.org
Website: www.thefosterfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Foster Foundation fund?
The Foundation works to enhance the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest through support in the following priority areas: • **Social Services and Human Welfare** — Providing critical human services for people and families in need • **Education** — Expanding opportunity for learning and academic success • **Medical Research, Treatment and Care** — Advancing the understanding, treatment and prevention of disease • **Community Engagement** — Ensuring access and enrichment for all The Foundatio…
How do I apply for a grant from The Foster Foundation?
The Foundation has shifted to a proactive approach to funding. It no longer accepts or reviews unsolicited proposals or funding requests. Instead, the Foundation invites qualifying organizations to submit proposals. **Recent Grant Activity (2023):** • Total grants made: $1,407,596 (45 grants documented) • Notable grants include: • Overlake School: $325,000 (Social Services) • Swedish Medical Center Foundation: $210,000 (Medical) • Seattle Foundation: $122,043 (General) **Outreach Goals:** The F…
Where does The Foster Foundation make grants?
The Foundation funds nonprofit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest region, specifically in: • Washington • Oregon • Idaho • Montana • Alaska
What size grants does The Foster Foundation award?
In 2024, The Foster Foundation awarded 59 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Foster Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Foster Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Foster Foundation's EIN?
The Foster Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1265474. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Foster 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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