The Noble Fir Foundation
The Noble Fir Foundation is a private foundation, based in Seattle, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 2 grants totaling $3.7M. Net investment income was $572K.
The Noble Fir Foundation at a glance
In short: The Noble Fir Foundation gave $3.7M across 2 grants in 2023 (avg $1.8M), mostly in Florida. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $3,699,463
- +2932.3% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 2
- -85.7% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $1,849,732
- +21126.4% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $1,849,732
- Primary geography
- Florida (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who The Noble Fir Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was William Travis Penn and John Wicher Charitable Foundation ($3.7M). Together the top 2 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 33 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Noble Fir Foundation gives
- Giving grew 5301% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $69K (2020) to $3.7M (2023). In 2023 it made 2 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| William Travis Penn and John Wicher Charitable Foundation St Petersburg, FL | To Support Organization's Exempt Purpose | $3,689,463 |
| The Seattle Repertory Theatre Foundation Seattle, WA | To Support Organization's Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $592,454 | $3,723,293 | $3,699,463 | 2 | $3,703,176 | $572,337 | $118,922 |
| 2022 | $3,146,839 | $80,851 | $163,321 | $122,000 | 14 | $125,435 | $53,965 | $179,747 |
| 2021 | $3,213,309 | $1,177,364 | $142,253 | $88,000 | 8 | $91,440 | $775,276 | $173,016 |
| 2020 | $2,535,640 | $2,389,068 | $97,615 | $68,500 | 9 | — | $1,087,401 | $97,684 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Noble Fir Foundation reported a distributable amount of $119K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Noble Fir Foundation is led by William Travis Penn, Chairman, Director & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
William Travis Penn
Chairman, Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Bates Markham
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Brian Wicher
Vice Chairman, Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Noble Fir Foundation
How much does The Noble Fir Foundation give each year?
The Noble Fir Foundation gave $3.7M across 2 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $122K across 14 grants.
Where does The Noble Fir Foundation operate?
The Noble Fir Foundation has awarded grants in Florida, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington.
How much is The Noble Fir Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Noble Fir Foundation reported a distributable amount of $119K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Noble Fir Foundation's EIN?
The Noble Fir Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3569652. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Noble Fir Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Noble Fir 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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