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 |
Ready to take the next step with The Noble Fir Foundation?
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
Live grants for the work The Noble Fir Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Noble Fir Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Richard Meier Foundation
New York, NY
The Richard Meier Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations across varied areas, with most of its 2024 grant dollars going to Hawaii, followed by New York, Florida, and Louisiana. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $900,000, with a median of $32,500. It accepts requests by contacting Richard Meier; no application deadlines are currently set.
Assets
$7.4M
Grants
8
Total Given
$1.4M
Hamilton Family Foundation
Kansas City, MO
Assets
—
Grants
58
Total Given
$366K
Kaphan Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Kaphan Foundation funds organizations working on civic engagement, elections, civil liberties, reproductive rights, journalism, environmental policy, and human rights, as well as social investment initiatives. In 2024, grants ranged from $6,279 to $1,570,977, with a median of $225,320; funding went to organizations in multiple states, led by New York, Washington, and Washington, D.C. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$141.4M
Grants
86
Total Given
$22.9M
The Garland and Brenda Reiter
Watsonville, CA
The Garland and Brenda Reiter funds environmental stewardship, community needs, youth programs, and museum education and accessibility, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California. Grants ranged from $500 to $33,000, with a median of $5,000. It does not restrict awards, and the filing asks applicants to submit a request with background information.
Assets
$4.2M
Grants
31
Total Given
$237K
Enterprise Bank & Trust Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Assets
$3.1M
Grants
108
Total Given
$673K
The D J McManus Foundation Inc
Bethesda, MD
The D J McManus Foundation supports a range of charitable work, including arts, education, health, civic engagement, and journalism, with most 2024 grant dollars going to New York organizations. Grants ranged from $250 to $110,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$23.6M
Grants
121
Total Given
$1.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Washington
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
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.
The Noble Fir Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?