The Norcliffe Foundation
The Norcliffe Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1952 by Paul Pigott, president of the Pacific Car and Foundry Company. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since May 1954. The foundation's core purpose is to improve the quality of life for all people in the community, with a particular focus on the Puget Sound region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.5M
+10.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$40.5M
+72.5% YoY
Grant Count
586
+44.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$69K
+19.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Norcliffe Foundation reported a distributable amount of $45.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To improve the quality of life for all people in the community.
Funding Areas: The foundation supports a variety of program areas including:
- Arts & Culture
- Civic & Community Projects
- Education
- Healthcare & Research
- Human & Social Services
Grantmaking
The Norcliffe Foundation is one of the more active funders in the Puget Sound region, distributing grants on a rolling basis with no set deadlines.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $2,636,970
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation accepts applications from nonprofit organizations operating in the 11-county Puget Sound Region of Washington State.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending November 2023:
- Total Assets: $20,421,324
- Total Revenue: $26,379,040
- Total Expenses: $24,079,356
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Annual Giving: $23,470,065
Staffing: 1 employee (as of 2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,521,070 | $20,421,324 | $18,121,640 |
| Revenue | $43,594,483 | $26,379,040 | $25,144,033 |
| Expenses | $41,404,239 | $24,079,356 | $21,995,792 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $40,725,398 | $23,678,768 | $21,862,124 |
| Net Investment Income | $39,867,621 | $25,604,191 | $16,665,202 |
| Distributable Amount | $45,704,814 | $34,148,481 | $26,061,907 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Norcliffe Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bishop Blanchet High School ($500,000), Black and Tan Hall Fiscally Sponsored by Northwest Film Forum ($250,000), Archdiocese of Seattle ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 350 SEATTLE SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $20,000 |
| A STEP AHEAD IN PIERCE COUNTY PUYALLUP, WA | BOOST PROGRAM | $5,000 |
| ACADEMY FOR PRECISION LEARNING SEATTLE, WA | K-8 STEM INITIATIVE | $5,000 |
| ADA DEVELOPERS ACADEMY ISSAQUAH, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $7,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRANTS IN DETENTION NORTHWEST TACOMA, WA | HOSPITALITY HOUSE PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AFRICAN YOUNG DREAMERS EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM INTL FEDERAL WAY, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS PUGET SOUND FEDERAL WAY, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $15,000 |
| ALIMENTANDO AL PUEBLO BURIEN, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $15,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATION SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $40,000 |
| AMERICA SCORES SEATTLE SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $12,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Paul Pigott – Founder (1952)
- Theiline Pigott McCone – Led the foundation for decades following Paul Pigott's death
- Jennifer Beatty – Foundation Manager
- Succeeding generations of the Pigott family continue to manage and support the foundation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANN P WYCKOFF | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JAMES C PIGOTT | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| CHARLES M PIGOTT | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| SUSAN W POHL | VICE-PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| LISA ANDERSON | PRESIDENT | 2.5 | — |
| MARY PIGOTT | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JEFF WRIGHT | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN PIGOTT | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JAMES C HUGHES | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JENNIFER BEATTY | SECRETARY | 40 | $165,833 |
| DAVID WRIGHT | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LAUREN WYCKOFF | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL KENWAY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 600 University Street, Suite 2003, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 682-4820
Website: www.norcliffefoundation.org
EIN: 91-6029352
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Norcliffe Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To improve the quality of life for all people in the community. **Funding Areas:** The foundation supports a variety of program areas including: • Arts & Culture • Civic & Community Projects • Education • Healthcare & Research • Human & Social Services
How do I apply for a grant from The Norcliffe Foundation?
The Norcliffe Foundation is one of the more active funders in the Puget Sound region, distributing grants on a rolling basis with no set deadlines. **Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $1,000 to $2,636,970 • Approximately 60% of grants are $15,000 or less • The foundation awards 500-800+ grants annually • Typical decision time: approximately 4 months from complete application **Application Process:** • Applications are accepted from nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status …
Where does The Norcliffe Foundation make grants?
The foundation accepts applications from nonprofit organizations operating in the 11-county Puget Sound Region of Washington State.
What size grants does The Norcliffe Foundation award?
In 2024, The Norcliffe Foundation awarded 586 grants totaling $40.5M — an average of about $69K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Norcliffe Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Norcliffe Foundation reported a distributable amount of $45.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Norcliffe Foundation's EIN?
The Norcliffe Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-6029352. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Norcliffe 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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