The Washington STEM Center
The Washington STEM Center, which operates as Washington STEM, is a Seattle-based statewide education nonprofit and a Form 990 public charity. It works to remove barriers to credential attainment and create pathways to long-term economic security for systemically underserved students in Washington.
The Washington STEM Center at a glance
In short: The Washington STEM Center gave $1.3M across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $34K), mostly in Washington. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,304,254
- -32.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- -56.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $34,322
- +54.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $31,000
- Total assets
- $9,345,547
- -4.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (4 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Washington STEM Center
- Contact
Mailing address: 210 S Hudson St, Seattle, WA 98134
Phone: (206) 658-4320
Website: https://washingtonstem.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Washington STEM Center funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Southwest STEM Network ($133K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
328 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 297 grants of 328 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Washington STEM describes its work as statewide. All grant dollars listed for filing year 2024 went to recipients in Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Washington STEM Center open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 15 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $102K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $113K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−14%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $1.3M (2024) to $1.9M (2023). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Snohomish STEM Network Everett, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| Educational Service District # 189 Anacortes, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| South Central STEM Network Yakima, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| Southwest STEM Network Vancouver, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| Capitol Region STEM Network Tumwater, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| Tacoma STEAM Network Tacoma, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| Career Connect Northeast Spokane, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| Apple STEM Network Wenatchee, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| West Sound STEM Network Port Orchard, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
| Career Connect Southwest Richland, WA | Implementation Grant | $62,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Washington STEM Center?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,345,547 | $6,182,935 | $6,667,880 | $1,304,254 | 38 | $177,700 |
| 2023 | $9,830,993 | $8,333,066 | $6,337,627 | $1,938,533 | 87 | $168,152 |
| 2022 | $7,696,629 | $13,456,695 | $23,960,159 | $1,789,361 | 70 | $650,506 |
| 2021 | $144,962,083 | $51,456,581 | $19,997,099 | $1,516,907 | 69 | $4,736,001 |
| 2020 | $119,301,523 | $11,814,159 | $18,702,934 | $1,647,638 | 64 | $2,331,561 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Washington STEM’s stated mission is to use STEM for social change, remove barriers to credentials, and create pathways to long-term economic security for systemically underserved students. Its filing says it seeks equitable access for historically excluded students and envisions educational and career outcomes not determined by skin color, ZIP code, income, or gender.
Its website identifies three focus areas: early care and education; preschool through 12th-grade STEM education; and pathways to credentials and careers. The organization says it prioritizes students of color, young women and girls, migrant students, students in low-income conditions, first-generation students, and students in rural areas. Its filing describes partnerships with 10 STEM networks statewide, alongside direct support and advocacy.
The 2024 grants show support for regional STEM networks and other organizations. For example, Yakima Valley Community Foundation describes its own work as focused on equity in education, health, and civic engagement; Zeno says its mission is to spark joy and inspire a love of math in young children and families through racial equity, family engagement, and play; and BrightSpark Early Learning Services describes work to nurture antiracist early-learning communities and improve access to quality care.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Washington STEM reported 38 grants totaling $1,304,254. Grant amounts ranged from $18,600 to $62,000, with a median of $31,000. The largest listed awards were $62,000 implementation grants to regional organizations including Snohomish STEM Network, Educational Service District #189, South Central STEM Network, Southwest STEM Network, Capitol Region STEM Network, Tacoma STEAM Network, Career Connect Northeast, Apple STEM Network, West Sound STEM Network, and Career Connect Southwest.
Other 2024 recipients included Yakima Valley Community Foundation ($30,000), Zeno ($25,000), BrightSpark Early Learning Services ($20,000), and First Five Fundamentals ($18,600). The filing says grantees are required to submit progress reports annually or at the end of a grant. It also describes proposal and budget records, award agreements, correspondence, and grantee reports, as well as staff communication and site visits to monitor project status and completion.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mary Snapp as board chair; Michelle Judson as board vice chair; Venki Krishnababu as board treasurer; and Christine Johnson as board secretary. Board members listed are Mary Wagner, Ash Awad, Jennifer Daquiz Hare, Pedrito Maynard-Zhang, Damien Pattenaude, and Elizabeth Tinkham.
The Washington STEM Center is led by Lynne Varner, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2023; 8 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lynne Varner
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$99K (2023) → $246K (2024)
Mary Snapp
Board Chair
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Min Hwangbo
Impact Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$149K (2022) → $147K (2024)
Blair Peterson
Director of Finance
Senior Controller → Director of Finance, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$123K (2023) → $122K (2024)
Scott Dalessandro
Director of Strategic Partnerships
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$149K (2023) → $143K (2024)
Angie Mason-Smith
Program Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$134K (2024)
Jenee Myers-Twitchell
Chief Impact Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$160K (2020) → $200K (2024)
Yoko Shimomura
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$212K (2020) → $233K (2024)
Soleil Boyd
Senior Program Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$129K (2024)
Ash Awad
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Johnson
Board Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Damien Pattenaude
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Daquiz Hare
Board Member
Board Treasurer → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Wagner
Board Member
Board Member → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Judson
Board Vice Chair
Board Member → Board Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pedrito Maynard-Zhang
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Venki Krishnababu
Board Treasurer
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Tinkham
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Morgan
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mia Tuan
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Andy Tay (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kim Smith (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Liz Tinkham (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Migee Han (2020–2023) — Chief Development & Committee Officer
- Former: Noel Schulz (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jenee Myers Twitchell (2021–2023) — Chief Impact Officer
- Former: Angela Mason-Smith (2023) — Program Director
- Former: Tana Peterman (2023) — Senior Programs Officer
- Former: Timothy Engle (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Andy Shouse (2020–2022) — Chief Program Officer
- Former: Javania Cross Polenska (2020–2022) — Deputy Director & Wsos
- Former: Kimber Connors (2020–2022) — Executive Director & Wsos
- Former: Matthew Poth (2020–2022) — Director of Finance
- Former: Susan Mullaney (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tim Engle (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Milton Lang (2022) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Sabine Thomas (2022) — Senior Prgm. Officer & Cnt. Puget Sound
- Former: Angela Jones (2020–2021) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Carletta Ooton (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Carlin Llorente (2020–2021) — Director of Strategic Partnerships
- Former: Gilda Wheeler (2020–2021) — Senior Program Officer
- Former: Julie Averill (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: James Dorsey (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kurt Kinder (2020) — Board Member
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 $246K, to Lynne Varner (Chief Executive Officer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Washington STEM Center
How much does The Washington STEM Center give each year?
The Washington STEM Center gave $1.3M across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.9M across 87 grants.
What is The Washington STEM Center's typical grant size?
The Washington STEM Center's median grant in 2024 was $31,000, and its average grant was $34,322, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Washington STEM Center that year got $46K on average.
Where does The Washington STEM Center give grants?
The Washington STEM Center gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Spokane, WA (5 grants), Yakima, WA (4 grants), Vancouver, WA (4 grants) and Tumwater, WA (4 grants).
Does The Washington STEM Center give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 38 grants with a stated purpose on The Washington STEM Center's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Implementation Grant" (20 grants) and "Early Learning Activity Grant" (18 grants).
Who are The Washington STEM Center's largest grantees?
The Washington STEM Center's largest 2024 grantees include Southwest STEM Network ($133,000 across 4 grants), Capitol Region STEM Network ($133,000 across 4 grants) and West Sound STEM Network ($133,000 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Washington STEM Center?
The Washington STEM Center reported $9.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.2M.
What does The Washington STEM Center fund?
Washington STEM’s stated mission is to use STEM for social change, remove barriers to credentials, and create pathways to long-term economic security for systemically underserved students. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Washington STEM Center?
The Washington STEM Center has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check washingtonstem.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Washington STEM Center's EIN?
The Washington STEM Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2133169. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 1, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Washington STEM Center's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Vancouver, WA
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust funds nonprofit capacity-building and projects in arts and culture, civic and community services, education, health and environmental stewardship, and scientific research across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Its 2024 median grant was $87,000, with awards ranging from $4,000 to about $1.55 million. Eligible organizations can submit a Letter of Inquiry; full applications are by invitation.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
797
Total Given
$116.6M
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
Inatai Foundation
Seattle, WA
Inatai Foundation funds community organizations building community power and advancing racial justice and equity, especially those rooted in and led by communities most affected by structural inequities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,100 to $1.5 million, with a median of $201,000; its focus is Washington, though it also funded organizations elsewhere. It accepts applications through its Open Invitation process, but the application windows listed for 2026 have passed, and no upcoming window is stated.
Assets
$2.4B
Grants
303
Total Given
$71.0M
Cedarmere Foundation
Seattle, WA
Cedarmere funded nonprofit leadership, capacity building, and organizational sustainability, primarily for nonprofits headquartered in the Puget Sound region. Its 2024 grants had a median of $90,000 and ranged from $6,224 to $1 million. It made grants only to preselected organizations and did not accept unsolicited requests; grantmaking ended in 2024.
Assets
—
Grants
13
Total Given
$1.7M
Medina Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Medina Foundation funds direct human services for Puget Sound residents, including youth support, hunger relief, and homelessness prevention, across a 14-county region. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $95 to $250,000. As it prepares to sunset, it is prioritizing letters of inquiry from existing grantees; no application deadlines are stated.
Assets
$111.0M
Grants
220
Total Given
$4.8M
Casey Family Programs
Seattle, WA
Casey Family Programs funds child welfare, foster care prevention, and efforts to improve the safety and well-being of children and families, including work with nonprofits, public agencies, and Tribal communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50 to $555,000, with a median of $1,000, and it works across the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and with Tribal Nations. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
201
Total Given
$6.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Washington
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Washington STEM Center funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-washington-stem-center-morg_56515732cd8f4d4cbeb44ac9a74cb989
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_272133169_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Washington STEM Center funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-washington-stem-center-morg_56515732cd8f4d4cbeb44ac9a74cb989},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Washington STEM Center'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 Washington STEM Center down — hundreds of funders to go?