Washington Forrest Foundation
The Washington Forrest Foundation is a private family foundation based in Arlington, Virginia, where it says it has invested since 1968. It supports Arlington’s underserved communities through work with nonprofit partners focused on safety-net services, education, and community development.
Washington Forrest Foundation at a glance
In short: Washington Forrest Foundation gave $896K across 61 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Virginia. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $896,490
- -20.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 61
- -14.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,697
- -7.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $11,418,852
- +0.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (13 of 61, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (90% 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 Forrest Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation says it invites current grantee partners to apply; partners funded in the prior year are notified by the end of June about whether they will be invited for the coming year. Its 2024 filing states that grant applications are available from the foundation and identifies Rachel G. Mrad as the contact for applications. The filing says the board reviews applications quarterly and that the foundation gives preference to programs in and benefiting Arlington, Virginia. For the 2026 process, invited current partners must submit Part I (LOI) by August 5, 2026. The foundation says its board meets to make grant decisions in September, December, February, and April.
- Contact
Application contact: Rachel G Mrad
Mailing address: 2407 Columbia Pike Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22204
Phone: (703) 920-3688
Website: https://washingtonforrest.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Washington Forrest Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Aspire Learning ($64K). Together the top 10 received $394K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($1,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
358 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 355 grants of 358 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its work aims to improve the lives of Arlingtonians and that it gives preference to programs in and benefiting Arlington, Virginia. In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia; 3% each went to recipients in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Rhode Island, and 1% went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 61 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Washington Forrest Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 61 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $12K repeat.
- 77% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 119% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $896K (2025) to $1.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 61 grants totaling $896K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aspire Learning Arlington, VA | General Operating Support & Drew Project Support | $64,000 |
| Arlington Food Assistance Center Arlington, VA | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Bridges to Independence Arlington, VA | General Operating Support & Bridges Bash | $40,200 |
| Capital Caring Falls Church, VA | Wraparound Pediatric & Family Hospice Support | $40,000 |
| Signature Theatre Inc Arlington, VA | Signature in the Schools | $40,000 |
| Doorways for Women and Families Arlington, VA | General Operating Support | $35,000 |
| AHC Inc Arlington, VA | Expanded Literacy and Social/Emotional Supports | $32,500 |
| Giving Words Louisa, VA | General Operating Support | $32,500 |
| Highland School Warrenton, VA | Blue gold booster club & medical equipment & athletic fund & teacher training | $32,500 |
| L'arche Greater Washington DC Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $27,500 |
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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 | $11,418,852 | $1,669,375 | $1,594,962 | $896,490 | 61 | $1,311,369 | $1,370,432 | $1,103,103 |
| 2024 | $11,344,181 | $295,522 | $1,740,765 | $1,132,635 | 71 | $1,469,953 | $20,108 | $1,049,912 |
| 2023 | $12,895,653 | $621,763 | $1,738,228 | $1,193,450 | 79 | $1,486,117 | $379,605 | $1,008,650 |
| 2022 | $14,001,088 | $1,174,139 | $1,729,888 | $1,168,000 | 71 | $1,342,256 | $789,712 | $925,423 |
| 2021 | $14,522,476 | $4,140,580 | $1,573,388 | $1,143,430 | 76 | — | $3,845,054 | $1,140,378 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Washington Forrest Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2025 — 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 foundation’s focus areas include safety-net programs, education, and community development. Its stated priorities encompass food access, housing and housing support, aging in place, workforce development, health and mental health, and equitable access to education. It also highlights programs that strengthen academic and social-emotional support for young people and families, and efforts that support Arlington neighborhoods facing economic barriers.
The 2025 grants illustrate support for organizations addressing a range of needs. Arlington Food Assistance Center, which received $50,000, describes its mission as providing dignified access to free groceries for qualified families in Arlington and surrounding counties. Bridges to Independence, awarded $40,200, says it works to break cycles of generational poverty through emergency shelter, counseling, and financial assistance, alongside youth work, workforce development, and community navigation. Doorways for Women and Families, awarded $35,000, describes providing trauma-informed shelter, housing, and support to people and families experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and homelessness. AHC Inc., which received $32,500, says it develops affordable housing and provides educational programs and social services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 61 grants totaling $896,490. Grant amounts ranged from $170 to $64,000, with a median grant of $10,000. Its largest reported 2025 grants included Aspire Learning ($64,000), Arlington Food Assistance Center ($50,000), Bridges to Independence ($40,200), Capital Caring ($40,000), and Signature Theatre Inc ($40,000). Reported purposes included general operating support, educational programming, and pediatric and family hospice support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Leslie S. Ariail and Allison A. Erdle as directors; David D. Peete Jr. as chair; Daniel Lucckese as secretary; Rachel G. Mrad as executive director and treasurer; and Benjamin C. Gravett Jr. as associate director and vice chair.
Washington Forrest Foundation is led by Rachel G. Mrad, Executive Director & Treasurer since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 3 of 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rachel G. Mrad
Executive Director & Treasurer
Treasurer → Treasurer, Grants Manager & Engagement Coordinator, 2023
Treasurer, Grants Manager & Engagement Coordinator → Executive Director & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
$36K (2023) → $81K (2025)
David D. Peete Jr.
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Allison A. Erdle
Director
Executive Director → Executive Director & Secretary, 2023
Executive Director & Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
$83K (2021) → $132K (2025)
Leslie S. Ariail
Director
Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Benjamin C. Gravett Jr.
Associate Director & Vice Chair
Director, Grants Manager & Communications Coordinator → Director, Grants Manager & Engagement Coordinator, 2024
Director, Grants Manager & Engagement Coordinator → Associate Director & Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
25 hrs/week
$36K (2023) → $69K (2025)
Daniel Lucckese
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $132K, to Allison a Erdle (Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Washington Forrest Foundation
How much does Washington Forrest Foundation give each year?
Washington Forrest Foundation gave $896K across 61 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 71 grants.
What is Washington Forrest Foundation's typical grant size?
Washington Forrest Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,697, across 61 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Washington Forrest Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does Washington Forrest Foundation give grants?
Washington Forrest Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Arlington, VA (25 grants), Fairfax, VA (5 grants), Alexandria, VA (5 grants) and Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does Washington Forrest Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 56% of Washington Forrest Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (34 of 61) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Legacy Grant Award" (3 grants).
Who are Washington Forrest Foundation's largest grantees?
Washington Forrest Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Aspire Learning ($64,000), Arlington Food Assistance Center ($50,000) and Bridges to Independence ($40,200), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($1,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Washington Forrest Foundation?
Washington Forrest Foundation reported $11.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Washington Forrest Foundation fund?
The foundation’s focus areas include safety-net programs, education, and community development. Its stated priorities encompass food access, housing and housing support, aging in place, workforce development, health and mental health, and equitable access to education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Washington Forrest Foundation?
The foundation says it invites current grantee partners to apply; partners funded in the prior year are notified by the end of June about whether they will be invited for the coming year. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Washington Forrest Foundation's EIN?
Washington Forrest Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7002944. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Washington Forrest Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/washington-forrest-foundation-morg_97f72fa65cc243ceb76d30b24f654ff6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237002944_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Washington Forrest Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/washington-forrest-foundation-morg_97f72fa65cc243ceb76d30b24f654ff6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Forrest 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.
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