The Satterberg Foundation Inc
The Satterberg Foundation Inc is a Form 990-PF private foundation based in Seattle, Washington. Its stated purpose is to strengthen communities by promoting a just society and a sustainable environment. The foundation reports providing more than $300 million in grants to nonprofit organizations since its founding in 1991.
The Satterberg Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Satterberg Foundation Inc gave $42.6M across 286 grants in 2024 (avg $149K), top state Washington. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $42,623,686
- -6.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 286
- -29.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $149,034
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $125,000
- Total assets
- $425,573,369
- -4.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (24 of 254, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (45% 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 Satterberg Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website says it no longer accepts unsolicited letters of interest, proposals, or grant applications. The foundation’s 2024 filing says application information, deadlines, and guidelines are available on its website, but the website states that unsolicited applications are no longer accepted.
- Contact
Application contact: Sarah Walczyk
Mailing address: 423 - 2Nd Avenue Extension S Suite, 402, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 441-3045
Website: https://satterberg.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Satterberg Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Liberty Hill Foundation ($1.7M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $10.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,939 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 1,001 grants of 1,939 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Washington, California, Arizona, and national commitments, and says most Core Support grantees do the majority of their work in Washington and California. In 2024, grant dollars by recipient state were reported as Washington 45%, California 37%, District of Columbia 6%, Arizona 4%, and Louisiana 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 286 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Satterberg Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 254 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $125K; repeat grants $172K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $125K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 203% 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 $42.6M (2024) to $47.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 286 grants totaling $42.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amalgamated Charitable Fdn Washington, DC | Decolonizing wealth project non cash grant date: 08/31/2024 cost basis: 324,763 fmv: 1,033,234 | $1,033,231 |
| See Inc Calabasas, CA | Trust based philanthropy project non cash grant date: 08/31/2024 cost basis: 324,763 fmv: 1,018,879 | $1,018,879 |
| Byrd Barr Place Seattle, WA | Bipoc ed coalition non cash grant date: 04/30/2024 cost basis: 253,032 fmv: 995,916 | $995,916 |
| Liberty Hill Foundation Los Angeles, CA | To support the los angeles nonprofit community non cash grant date: 04/30/2024 cost basis: 227,738 fmv: 896,360 | $896,360 |
| NCFP Washington, DC | General operating support non cash grant date: 08/31/2024 cost basis: 270,621 fmv: 849,019 | $849,019 |
| Compasspoint Nonprofit Service Oakland, CA | General operating support non cash grant date: 08/31/2024 cost basis: 243,565 fmv: 774,902 | $774,902 |
| Rainier Valley Corps Seattle, WA | General operating support non cash grant date: 08/31/2024 cost basis: 243,565 fmv: 774,902 | $774,902 |
| Liberty Hill Foundation Los Angeles, CA | General operating support non cash grant date: 08/31/2024 cost basis: 243,565 fmv: 764,136 | $764,136 |
| Social Justice Fund NW Seattle, WA | General operating support non cash grant date: 08/31/2024 cost basis: 243,565 fmv: 764,136 | $764,136 |
| Southern CA Grantmakers Los Angeles, CA | General operating support non cash grant date: 08/31/2024 cost basis: 162,397 fmv: 509,486 | $509,486 |
Ready to take the next step with The Satterberg Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s history page says it committed to an annual payout of 10% of its assets and remains committed to a 10% payout plus operating expenses.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $425,573,369 | $21,660,433 | $47,375,928 | $42,623,686 | 286 | $45,865,956 | $20,664,778 | $22,647,231 |
| 2023 | $443,335,399 | $80,338,467 | $50,117,843 | $45,489,723 | 407 | $48,292,017 | $78,290,058 | $20,186,629 |
| 2022 | $392,319,939 | $50,066,288 | $48,565,294 | $44,611,206 | 402 | $47,351,600 | $49,169,971 | $18,889,282 |
| 2021 | $410,301,972 | $30,618,037 | $50,643,026 | $47,019,098 | 450 | $49,883,523 | $30,623,230 | $20,954,959 |
| 2020 | $437,349,731 | $44,087,995 | $46,342,477 | $44,032,090 | 394 | — | $43,451,858 | $19,721,657 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Satterberg Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $22.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to strengthen communities by promoting a just society and a sustainable environment. Its website says it provides general operating support to organizations serving and partnering with communities most affected by historical and systemic racism. Its grantmaking programs include Core Support, the Reparative Action Fund, Invitational Grants and Family Awards, and Community Partnerships/Collaborations.
The foundation says its Core Support program provides multi-year, unrestricted funding to more than 200 organizations, most of which do the majority of their work in Washington and California. Its website also describes a commitment to support Black- and Indigenous-led organizations through the Reparative Action Fund.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. Byrd Barr Place describes its work as creating a more equitable future for Washingtonians through programs and advocacy. Liberty Hill Foundation describes itself as a Los Angeles-based social change philanthropy organization that invests in grants, leadership training, and campaigns to advance social justice. Earthjustice describes its work as using law and partnerships to protect health, places, and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 286 grants totaling $42,623,686. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $1,033,231, with a median of $125,000. The foundation’s website says its grantmaking emphasizes multi-year, general operating support and does not use a traditional application-and-reporting approach.
Notable 2024 grants included $1,033,231 to Amalgamated Charitable Fdn for the Decolonizing Wealth Project; $1,018,879 to SEE Inc for the Trust Based Philanthropy Project; $995,916 to Byrd Barr Place for the BIPOC ED Coalition; $896,360 to Liberty Hill Foundation to support the Los Angeles nonprofit community; and $849,019 to NCFP for general operating support. Several listed grants were non-cash grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sarah Walczyk as executive director; Mary Pigott as president; Pete Helsell as treasurer; and Judy Pigott as secretary. Directors listed are Tyler Pigott, Sean Boyd, Frank Helsell, Ben Lazarus, Meagan Gable, and CB Shamah.
The Satterberg Foundation Inc is led by Sarah Walczyk, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sarah Walczyk
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$253K (2020) → $443K (2024)
Mary Pigott
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Lazarus
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Helsell
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meagan Gable
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Boyd
Director
Treasurer → President, 2021
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Pigott
Director
Director → President, 2023
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cb Shamah
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judy Pigott
Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pete Helsell
Treasurer
President → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Michael Pigott (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Nesib Shamah (2020–2021) — Director
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 $443K, to Sarah Walczyk (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Satterberg Foundation Inc
How much does The Satterberg Foundation Inc give each year?
The Satterberg Foundation Inc gave $42.6M across 286 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $45.5M across 407 grants.
What is The Satterberg Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Satterberg Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $125,000, and its average grant was $149,034, across 286 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Satterberg Foundation Inc that year got $125K on average.
Where does The Satterberg Foundation Inc give grants?
The Satterberg Foundation Inc's top state is Washington, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (37%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (105 grants), Los Angeles, CA (22 grants), San Diego, CA (18 grants) and Oakland, CA (14 grants).
Does The Satterberg Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of The Satterberg Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (253 of 286) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Honorarium" (6 grants).
Who are The Satterberg Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Satterberg Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Liberty Hill Foundation ($1,660,496 across 2 grants), Rainier Valley Corps ($1,589,902 across 6 grants) and See Inc ($1,468,879 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Satterberg Foundation Inc?
The Satterberg Foundation Inc reported $425.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $45.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $22.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Satterberg Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to strengthen communities by promoting a just society and a sustainable environment. Its website says it provides general operating support to organizations serving and partnering with communities most affected by historical and systemic racism. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Satterberg Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Satterberg Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Satterberg Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1501066. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Satterberg Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Satterberg Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-satterberg-foundation-inc-morg_778bdb60166143f4822c2a678e96024e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911501066_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Satterberg Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-satterberg-foundation-inc-morg_778bdb60166143f4822c2a678e96024e},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-06. 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 Satterberg Foundation Inc'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 Satterberg Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?