The Susan Elizabeth Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Seattle, WA EIN: 81-0713157

The Susan Elizabeth Foundation is a private foundation, based in Seattle, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $913K. Net investment income was $166K.

Key facts about The Susan Elizabeth Foundation

In short: The Susan Elizabeth Foundation gave $913K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $130K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
81-0713157
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$912,988
Grants made (2024)
7
Average grant
$130,427
Median grant
$15,000
Primary geography
Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

-100.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$913K

+297.0% YoY

Grant Count

7

+16.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$130K

+240.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Susan Elizabeth Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How The Susan Elizabeth Foundation gives

  • Giving grew 770% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Susan Elizabeth Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of all 7 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Cities

SeattleSeatleEdmondsBainbridge Island

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$250K$500K$750K$1M8 grants20204 grants20216 grants20226 grants20237 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $105K (2021) to $913K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $913K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

Bainbridge Community Foundation FBO Bella Fund: $703KBainbridge CommunityFoundation FBO Bella Fund$703KBlack Futures Co-Op Fund: $100KBlack Futures Co-Op Fund$100KUniversity of Washington Foundation: $50KUniversity of WashingtonFoundation$50KAtlantic Street Center: $15KAtlantic Street Center$15KEdmonds Center for the Arts: $15KEdmonds Center for the Arts$15KFull Life Care: $15KFull Life Care$15KYMCA of Greater Seattle: $15KYMCA of Greater Seattle$15K

The largest 2024 recipient was Bainbridge Community Foundation FBO Bella Fund ($703K). Together the top 7 received $913K.

Grant Size Distribution

31 grants across all recorded years

22<$50K6$50–100K2$100–250K$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 31 (71%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Bainbridge Community Foundation FBO Bella Fund Bainbridge Island, WATo Further the Organization's Charitable Goals$702,988
Black Futures Co-Op Fund Seatle, WATo Further the Organization's Charitable Goals$100,000
University of Washington Foundation Seatle, WATo Further the Organization's Charitable Goals$50,000
Atlantic Street Center Seattle, WATo Further the Organization's Charitable Goals$15,000
Edmonds Center for the Arts Edmonds, WATo Further the Organization's Charitable Goals$15,000
Full Life Care Seattle, WATo Further the Organization's Charitable Goals$15,000
YMCA of Greater Seattle Seattle, WATo Further the Organization's Charitable Goals$15,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets—$812,419$1,033,327
Revenue$177,499$102,627$69,105
Expenses$1,031,132$323,413$309,879
Qualifying Distributions$1,018,872$312,527$303,158
Net Investment Income$165,962$92,201$63,018
Distributable Amount$26,274$53,153$64,172

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Susan Dunn

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    8 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sarah Hopper

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    $43K (2020) → $98K (2024)

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

Sarah Hopper — Secretary: $98KSarah HopperSecretary$98K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $98K, to Sarah Hopper (Secretary).

Frequently asked questions about The Susan Elizabeth Foundation

How much does The Susan Elizabeth Foundation give each year?

The Susan Elizabeth Foundation gave $913K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $230K across 6 grants.

What is The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's typical grant size?

The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $130,427, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The Susan Elizabeth Foundation give grants?

The Susan Elizabeth Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (3 grants) and Seatle, WA (2 grants).

Does The Susan Elizabeth Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further the Organization's Charitable Goals" (7 grants).

Who are The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's largest grantees?

The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Bainbridge Community Foundation FBO Bella Fund ($702,988), Black Futures Co-Op Fund ($100,000) and University of Washington Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How much is The Susan Elizabeth Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Susan Elizabeth Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's EIN?

The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0713157. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The Susan Elizabeth Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Susan Elizabeth Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Puget Sound Energy Foundation

Wilmington, DE

The Puget Sound Energy Foundation funds nonprofits serving communities where PSE has a service or generation presence, primarily in Washington, across household needs, education and workforce pathways, climate resilience, and community safety. Grants vary widely; in 2024 they ranged from $13 to $100,000, with a $500 median, while its 2026 disaster-focused competitive program offers up to $15,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but eligible local nonprofits can apply through that competitive program.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$19.6M

Grants

451

Total Given

$1.2M

Lucky Seven Foundation

Wilmington, DE

Lucky Seven Foundation funds human services and related community causes, including education, homelessness services, civic leadership, environmental accountability, and community well-being, with most giving in Washington State. Its 2024 grants averaged about $8,000 (median $2,000), with awards ranging from $100 to $240,000. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and directs applicants to an online process for application materials and deadlines.

Assets

$27.6M

Grants

215

Total Given

$1.8M

The Richard and Maude Ferry Foundation

Seattle, WA

The Richard and Maude Ferry Foundation supports Catholic organizations and work in education, dementia care, arts and culture, and social services, with particular concern for vulnerable people. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $105,500, with a median of $10,000, and mostly went to Washington and California; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$22.9M

Grants

29

Total Given

$529K

Grousemont Foundation

Seattle, WA

The Grousemont Foundation funds community-led work in social justice, community needs, civic engagement, and climate and environmental justice, including arts, education, health, and human services. Its grants generally focus on the Puget Sound region; in 2024, the median grant was $25,000, though awards ranged from $500 to $1.25 million. It does not accept unsolicited requests and awards grants by invitation only.

Assets

$240.5M

Grants

179

Total Given

$10.2M

Washington Federal Foundation

Seattle, WA

Washington Federal Foundation funds community-based nonprofits serving low- and moderate-income people, supporting essential services, financial literacy, housing, economic development, community revitalization, and job training near WaFd Bank branches. Its listed programs offer $1,000–$5,000 micro grants and $5,000–$20,000 impact grants; 2025 awards ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $3,000. Applications are accepted January 1 through October 31; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.7M

Grants

180

Total Given

$873K

United Way of King County

Seattle, WA

United Way of King County funds programs addressing housing stability, food security, education, financial stability, racial justice, and equitable philanthropy, primarily in Washington, especially King County. In 2025, its 196 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,674,650, with a median of $47,836. It says no general funding opportunities are currently available, though two named funds are listed as open; application instructions are not provided.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$54.9M

Grants

196

Total Given

$24.7M

Raikes Foundation

Seattle, WA

The Raikes Foundation supports education, youth housing stability, racial equity, democracy, and impact-driven philanthropy, with grants concentrated in Washington, DC, California, and Washington state. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $800,000, with a median of $10,000; it is invitation-only and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$97.7M

Grants

269

Total Given

$11.3M

The Norcliffe Foundation

Seattle, WA

The Norcliffe Foundation funds Puget Sound nonprofits in areas including human services, education, healthcare, arts and culture, environment, and community projects; it supports programs, operations, capacity building, and capital projects. Grants vary widely, but the median is $20,000 and nearly 60% are $15,000 or less. It serves 11 counties in Washington’s Puget Sound region and accepts applications year-round through its online system.

Assets

$1.0B

Grants

454

Total Given

$56.5M

Gates Foundation

Seattle, WA

The Gates Foundation funds work on global health, poverty reduction, gender equality, economic opportunity, and U.S. education, primarily in low-income countries and the United States. Its 2024 grants had a median of $500,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations are usually invited to apply, with occasional published funding opportunities.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$78.7B

Grants

4,974

Total Given

$6.3B

M J Murdock Charitable Trust

Vancouver, WA

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust funds nonprofit capacity-building projects, including program and staff expansion, capital improvements, and equipment or technology, across areas such as education, health, arts, and community services. Its 2024 grants ranged from $4,000 to about $1.55 million, with a median of $87,000; it focuses on Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and also considers projects with more than half their impact there. Applicants start with an eligibility assessment and, if eligible, submit a Letter of Inquiry; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.0B

Grants

797

Total Given

$116.6M

The Avista Foundation

Spokane, WA

The Avista Foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in education, basic needs and poverty, and economic and cultural vitality. Its 2025 grants had a median of $1,000, though awards ranged from $20 to $350,000, and it serves communities in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, parts of southern Oregon, Sanders County, Montana, and Juneau, Alaska.

Assets

$10.6M

Grants

577

Total Given

$2.2M

Seattle Foundation

Seattle, WA

Seattle Foundation funds community-led work advancing racial and economic equity in Greater Seattle, including housing, economic opportunity, climate justice, democracy, arts, and organizing; some programs support specific medical or performing-arts needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $60 to $7 million, with a median of $6,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through program-specific applications or letters of inquiry.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

5,379

Total Given

$177.9M

More Funders in Washington

The Susan Elizabeth Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?