The Northwest Fund for the Environment
The Northwest Fund for the Environment is a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington. It makes grants to nonprofit organizations for work protecting and preserving Washington State’s natural resources, with particular emphasis on wild fish, native wildlife, forests, wetlands, shorelines, and free-flowing waters.
The Northwest Fund for the Environment at a glance
In short: The Northwest Fund for the Environment gave $399K across 69 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in Washington. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $399,000
- +12.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 69
- +102.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,783
- -44.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $5,679,205
- -6.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 34, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Northwest Fund for the Environment
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Fund does not accept unsolicited requests for its general grants, which are initiated by the Board and awarded to preselected organizations. The Community Response Fund is application-based and accepts inquiries about eligibility and applications. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities or work under a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, and projects must benefit Washington State. The Fund does not grant to individuals or for-profit organizations, or for proposed legislation or candidates. Its eligibility limitations also exclude, among other things, restoration implementation, academic research, K–12 educational activities, fundraising events, capital projects and land acquisition; it may consider related policy, advocacy or legal work connected to restoration.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1425 Broadway 493, Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 207-6883
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Northwest Fund for the Environment
Who The Northwest Fund for the Environment funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Center for Environmental Law & Policy ($21K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $160K.
Grant Size Distribution
187 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 187 grants of 187 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund states that its grants support work benefiting Washington State. In 2024, 67% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington and 16% to recipients in Oregon; smaller shares went to recipients in DC, Virginia and Idaho. The Fund’s grant descriptions include Washington-focused work by organizations based both in and outside the state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Northwest Fund for the Environment open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 34 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 46% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $256K (2020) to $399K (2024). In 2024 it made 69 grants totaling $399K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Environmental Law & Policy Seattle, WA | Protecting and Restoring Washington's Instream Water Resources | $20,000 |
| Columbia Riverkeeper Portland, OR | Clean Water Action Project | $20,000 |
| Futurewise Seattle, WA | Protecting Farms, Forests and Water Habitats | $20,000 |
| Re Sources Bellingham, WA | Protecting the Salish Sea: Watchdogging pollution, game-changing policies, and community action | $20,000 |
| American Rivers Inc Washington, DC | Protecting and Restoring Yakima and Chehalis River Basins - NW Office | $10,000 |
| American Whitewater Springfield, OR | Watchdogging dam proposals and advancing removal in Washington State | $10,000 |
| Cascade Forest Conservancy Vancouver, WA | Protecting the Green River Valley from mining | $10,000 |
| Communities for a Healthy Bay Tacoma, WA | Tacoma Tideflats planning process and CWA enforcement | $10,000 |
| Friends of the Earth Merrifield, VA | Puget Sound and Outer Coast marine vessel traffic monitoring and enforcement program | $10,000 |
| Friends of the San Juans Friday Harbor, WA | Vessel Traffic Safety, Spill Response, & Stand Up to Oil Campaign | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Northwest Fund for the Environment?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,679,205 | $76,419 | $480,434 | $399,000 | 69 | $479,634 | $136,816 | $447,903 |
| 2023 | $6,083,220 | $138,115 | $410,683 | $355,000 | 34 | $406,268 | $138,100 | $381,388 |
| 2022 | $7,190,091 | $957,419 | $498,313 | $299,500 | 29 | $463,775 | $935,890 | $378,611 |
| 2021 | $9,357,107 | $266,272 | $444,807 | $273,000 | 27 | $421,675 | $246,569 | $432,574 |
| 2020 | $8,282,031 | $374,108 | $413,238 | $255,800 | 28 | — | $355,876 | $362,864 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Northwest Fund for the Environment reported a distributable amount of $448K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s mission is to promote changes in the use of natural resources that increase their protection and preservation in Washington State. Its stated areas of emphasis include protecting wild fish, native wildlife, natural forests, wetlands and shorelines, and preserving pure and free-flowing waters.
Its Aquatic Ecosystems program supports work on freshwater systems—including rivers, streams, wetlands and riparian areas—and saltwater ecosystems in Puget Sound and along the Washington Coast. Its Growth Management program promotes community-driven land-use practices and policies that support smart growth and prevent damage to environmentally sensitive areas. The Community Response Fund supports grassroots engagement and aims to bring new communities into the Fund’s grantmaking.
The Fund supports nonprofit organizations, including local community-based organizations and regional chapters of national organizations. Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the work represented in its grants: RE Sources says it mobilizes people in Northwest Washington to protect land, water and climate; Futurewise says it promotes healthy, equitable communities and protects farmland, forests and water resources through land-use policies; and the Center for Environmental Law & Policy says it works to protect, preserve and restore Washington’s waters through education, advocacy, policy reform and public-interest litigation. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Fund reported 69 grants totaling $399,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $2,500. Among the largest grants were $20,000 each to the Center for Environmental Law & Policy for protecting and restoring Washington’s instream water resources; Columbia Riverkeeper for its Clean Water Action Project; Futurewise for protecting farms, forests and water habitats; and RE Sources for Salish Sea work. Other 2024 grants included $10,000 to Front and Centered for HEAL Act implementation and $10,000 to Hanford Challenge for Hanford cleanup watchdogging.
The Community Response Fund provides short-term grants of $1,000–$5,000 for a specific project or need. It accepts applications on a rolling basis for eligible work advancing the Fund’s Growth Management or Aquatic Ecosystems objectives, including grassroots engagement and work empowering communities of color on local environmental issues.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these trustees: Audrey Clungeon; Steve Dubiel; Chris Golde, Trustee and Vice President; James Harless, Treasurer and Trustee; Nicole Herron; Paul Kampmeier; Phoebe Lipkis; Martin Minkoff, Trustee and President; Jaimini Parekh; and Sarah Yerkan.
The Northwest Fund for the Environment is led by Martin Minkoff, Trustee & President since 2024 (on filings since 2022); 4 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Martin Minkoff
Trustee & President
Trustee → Trustee & President, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$100 (2024)
Paul Kampmeier
Trustee
President → Trustee & President, 2023
Trustee & President → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$100 (2024)
Nicole Herron
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$100 (2024)
James Harless
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$100 (2024)
Jaimini Parekh
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
JoAnn Yoshimoto
Secretary & Trustee
Secretary → Secretary & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Golde
Trustee & Vice President
Trustee → Trustee & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Audrey Clungeon
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phoebe Lipkis
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Yerkan
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Dubiel
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Ken Nitz (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Jim Harless (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Karen Allston (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Kim McNamara (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Martha Strebinger (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Janna Rolland (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Knoll Lowney (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Rick Moore (2020–2021) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $100, to James Harless (Treas, Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Northwest Fund for the Environment
How much does The Northwest Fund for the Environment give each year?
The Northwest Fund for the Environment gave $399K across 69 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $355K across 34 grants.
What is The Northwest Fund for the Environment's typical grant size?
The Northwest Fund for the Environment's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $5,783, across 69 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Northwest Fund for the Environment give grants?
The Northwest Fund for the Environment gives mostly in Washington: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Oregon (16%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (27 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Eugene, OR (4 grants) and Portland, OR (2 grants).
Does The Northwest Fund for the Environment give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of The Northwest Fund for the Environment's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 69) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2024 Year-End Fund for Staff Recognition" (34 grants).
Who are The Northwest Fund for the Environment's largest grantees?
The Northwest Fund for the Environment's largest 2024 grantees include Center for Environmental Law & Policy ($21,000 across 2 grants), Columbia Riverkeeper ($21,000 across 2 grants) and Futurewise ($21,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Northwest Fund for the Environment?
The Northwest Fund for the Environment reported $5.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $480K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $448K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Northwest Fund for the Environment fund?
The Fund’s mission is to promote changes in the use of natural resources that increase their protection and preservation in Washington State. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Northwest Fund for the Environment?
The Fund does not accept unsolicited requests for its general grants, which are initiated by the Board and awarded to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Northwest Fund for the Environment's EIN?
The Northwest Fund for the Environment's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7134880. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Northwest Fund for the Environment accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Northwest Fund for the Environment funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-northwest-fund-for-the-environment-morg_576227b1cd224ef1b56ce0cbe9210847
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237134880_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Northwest Fund for the Environment funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-northwest-fund-for-the-environment-morg_576227b1cd224ef1b56ce0cbe9210847},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Northwest Fund for the Environment'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 Northwest Fund for the Environment down — hundreds of funders to go?