Washington Federal Foundation
Washington Federal Foundation is a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington. Its grantmaking supports community-based nonprofits serving people with low and moderate incomes, with current programs covering essential services and community impact projects.
Washington Federal Foundation at a glance
In short: Washington Federal Foundation gave $873K across 180 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state Washington. 54% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $872,615
- -24.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 180
- -32.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,848
- +10.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $1,670,777
- +11.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 54% first-time grantees (94 of 173, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Washington (30% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Washington Federal Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applicants should complete a grant application and submit the organization’s IRS exemption letter, mission statement, operating and program budgets, financial statements, and most recently filed Form 990. The filing directs applicants to the application and checklist.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted January 1 through October 31 each year.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted January 1 through October 31 each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Grant Administrator Washington Fede
Mailing address: 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (800) 324-9375
Email: kristi.ellefson@wafd.com
Website: https://sos.wa.gov
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Washington Federal Foundation
Washington Federal Foundation: Community Impact Grants
Washington Federal Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Washington Federal Foundation: Community Service Micro Grants
Washington Federal Foundation
Amount
US $1,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Washington Federal Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Institute for Better Education ($100K). Together the top 10 received $250K.
Grant Size Distribution
1,194 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,189 grants of 1,194 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing states that grants are focused on applicants from communities with Washington Federal Bank branches. In 2025, recipient grant dollars were distributed across Washington (30%), Arizona (20%), Oregon (15%), New Mexico (8%), and Idaho (7%). The 2025 grants also included recipients in Texas, Montana, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 180 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Washington Federal Foundation open to new grantees?
54%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 94 of 173 grantees (54%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 28% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 738% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $832K (2022) to $2.0M (2020). In 2025 it made 180 grants totaling $873K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Institute for Better Education Tucson, AZ | Financial Literacy | $100,000 |
| Dallas Children's Advocacy Center Dallas, TX | Social Services | $25,000 |
| Financial Empowerment Network Renton, WA | Financial Literacy | $20,000 |
| Earn to Learn Tucson, AZ | Financial Literacy | $15,000 |
| Mofi - Montana Community Development Corp Missoula, MT | Economic Development | $15,000 |
| Community Foundation of Lincoln County Ruidoso, NM | Social Services | $15,000 |
| United Fund of Globe Miami Globe, AZ | Social Services | $15,000 |
| Opal Community Land Trust Eastsound, WA | Community Revitalization | $15,000 |
| Holy Cross Outreach Lake Stevens, WA | Social Services | $15,000 |
| Elijah Family Homes Kennewick, WA | Social Services | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Washington Federal Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,670,777 | $1,042,163 | $872,851 | $872,615 | 180 | $872,735 | $14,663 | $118,291 |
| 2024 | $1,501,465 | $2,029,404 | $1,159,084 | $1,158,305 | 265 | $1,158,965 | $8,368 | $68,482 |
| 2023 | $631,145 | $416,594 | $1,177,748 | $1,177,425 | 250 | $1,177,695 | $8,527 | $51,583 |
| 2022 | $1,392,299 | $1,780,890 | $832,723 | $832,450 | 241 | $832,720 | $3,832 | $41,381 |
| 2021 | $444,132 | $1,000,247 | $989,013 | $988,740 | 258 | $988,740 | $247 | $19,119 |
| 2020 | $432,898 | $1,750,388 | $2,040,156 | $2,039,904 | 283 | — | $389 | $19,825 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Washington Federal Foundation reported a distributable amount of $118K for 2025 — 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 stated purpose in its grant-program materials is to facilitate direct giving to community-based nonprofits that primarily serve people with low and moderate incomes. Its programs cover housing assistance, financial literacy, basic needs, economic development, community revitalization, and job training. The program materials exclude medical, animal welfare, and arts funding unless it is tied to employment for low-income populations or directly benefits low- and moderate-income populations, as applicable to the program.
Grantees illustrate the range of work supported. The Institute for Better Education describes its mission as removing financial obstacles to Arizona K–12 private-school education through tax-credit scholarships. The Financial Empowerment Network says it advances financial empowerment through partnerships that connect people with relevant services and resources. OPAL Community Land Trust says it provides permanently affordable homes and related education and support to help sustain an economically diverse Orcas Island community. Elijah Family Homes describes its work as providing stable housing and support services for families seeking recovery.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 180 grants totaling $872,615. Awards ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median grant of $3,000. The largest award was $100,000 to the Institute for Better Education for financial literacy. Other notable grants included $25,000 to Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center for social services and $20,000 to Financial Empowerment Network for financial literacy. Grants of $15,000 included awards to OPAL Community Land Trust for community revitalization and Elijah Family Homes for social services.
The foundation’s Community Service Micro Grants offer $1,000–$5,000 for essential services such as housing and rental assistance, utilities, food, basic skills, and financial literacy. Its Community Impact Grants offer $5,000–$20,000 for areas including sustainable housing, small-business economic development, community revitalization, and job training. Program materials state that eligible organizations must have operated for at least 12 months and primarily serve low- and moderate-income communities near a WaFd Bank branch.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kristi Ellefson as director and president; Sandra Harrod as secretary; Cathy Cooper as director and treasurer; Blayne Sanden as officer; and Brad Goode as director.
Washington Federal Foundation is led by Kristi Ellefson, Director & President on every filing since 2022; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kristi Ellefson
Director & President
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Cooper
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Goode
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blayne Sanden
Officer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Harrod
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Robert Zirk (2020–2024) — Officer
- Former: Lisa Furman (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Ann Hall (2020–2021) — Director & President
- Former: Caleb Stephens (2020) — Director & Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Washington Federal Foundation
How much does Washington Federal Foundation give each year?
Washington Federal Foundation gave $873K across 180 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 265 grants.
What is Washington Federal Foundation's typical grant size?
Washington Federal Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $4,848, across 180 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Washington Federal Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Washington Federal Foundation give grants?
Washington Federal Foundation's top state is Washington, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Arizona (20%) and Oregon (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (17 grants), Dallas, TX (8 grants), Albuquerque, NM (8 grants) and Las Vegas, NV (6 grants).
Does Washington Federal Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 180 grants with a stated purpose on Washington Federal Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Social Services" (90 grants), "Financial Literacy" (45 grants) and "Economic Development" (16 grants).
Who are Washington Federal Foundation's largest grantees?
Washington Federal Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Institute for Better Education ($100,000), Dallas Children's Advocacy Center ($25,000) and Financial Empowerment Network ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Washington Federal Foundation?
Washington Federal Foundation reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $873K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $118K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Washington Federal Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose in its grant-program materials is to facilitate direct giving to community-based nonprofits that primarily serve people with low and moderate incomes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Washington Federal Foundation?
Applicants should complete a grant application and submit the organization’s IRS exemption letter, mission statement, operating and program budgets, financial statements, and most recently filed Form 990. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Washington Federal Foundation's EIN?
Washington Federal Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8777284. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Washington Federal Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Washington Federal Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/washington-federal-foundation-morg_80c72e15a12745398f2e5f5592e57c0e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_208777284_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Washington Federal Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/washington-federal-foundation-morg_80c72e15a12745398f2e5f5592e57c0e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. 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 Washington Federal Foundation'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.
Washington Federal Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?