Wyss Foundation
The Wyss Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1989 by Loren Wyss. It supports charitable organizations working in community and social services, education, the arts, the environment, and animal welfare, primarily in areas where its trustees are or have been active. It is distinct from the Wyss Foundation founded by Hansjörg Wyss, which is based in Washington, DC.
Wyss Foundation at a glance
In short: Wyss Foundation gave $1.3M across 105 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Oregon. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,300,000
- +32.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 105
- +22.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,381
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $10,733,639
- +13.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (25 of 105, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (55% 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 Wyss Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The website describes written requests and says there is no required application form, while the foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Review Cycle
- The website says requests for consideration in each new year should be submitted by July 1; it says grant decisions are made once a year in early spring.
- Deadline
- The website says requests for consideration in each new year should be submitted by July 1; it says grant decisions…
- Contact
Mailing address: 1443 Se 55Th Avenue, Portland, OR 97215
Phone: (503) 593-1014
Website: https://wyssfoundationoregon.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wyss Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Los Angeles Regional Food Bank ($75K). Together the top 10 received $360K.
Grant Size Distribution
398 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 393 grants of 398 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it primarily supports local organizations in areas where trustees are or have been active. In 2025, 55% of grant dollars went to Oregon recipients, 19% to California recipients, and 4% to Washington recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 105 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Wyss Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 25 of 105 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
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 $984K (2024) to $1.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 105 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Los Angeles, CA | CHECK 4033 | $75,000 |
| American Friends of NSWAS Glendale, CA | CHECK 4000 | $40,000 |
| International Physicians for the PR Malden, MA | CHECK 4021 | $35,000 |
| My Friends Place Hollywood, CA | CHECK 4039 | $35,000 |
| Water Music Society Seaview, WA | CHECK 4074 | $35,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders USA Hagerstown, MD | CHECK 4010 | $30,000 |
| Johns Closet Millbrae, CA | CHECK 4025 | $30,000 |
| Reed College Portland, OR | CHECK 4057 | $30,000 |
| Lewis and Clark College Portland, OR | CHECK 4030 | $25,000 |
| Multnomah Arts Center Portland, OR | CHECK 4037 | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Wyss Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,733,639 | $2,596,427 | $1,406,510 | $1,300,000 | 105 | $1,300,000 | $2,079,147 |
| 2024 | $9,437,852 | $684,932 | $1,041,502 | $983,500 | 86 | $983,500 | $626,930 |
| 2023 | $9,595,166 | $314,942 | $1,042,715 | $996,500 | 70 | $1,042,715 | $268,727 |
| 2022 | $9,579,650 | $291,335 | $1,077,133 | $1,000,000 | 65 | $1,067,505 | $223,830 |
| 2021 | $9,533,694 | $260,893 | $1,046,028 | $986,500 | 72 | — | $201,365 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was established to support important aspects of communities, including the arts, social and community assistance, and education. It also identifies the environment and animal welfare among the areas it supports.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of work. Los Angeles Regional Food Bank describes its mission as mobilizing resources to fight hunger. Portland-based Raphael House says it supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence, while Street Roots says it creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. New Avenues for Youth describes its work as focused on ending youth homelessness.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 105 grants totaling $1,300,000. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $75,000, with a median grant of $10,000. Among its largest reported grants were $75,000 to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank; $40,000 to American Friends of NSWAS; $35,000 each to International Physicians for the PR, My Friends Place, and Water Music Society; and $30,000 each to Doctors Without Borders USA, Johns Closet, and Reed College.
The foundation’s website describes a written request process. It asks organizations to provide general information, the purpose and implementation strategy for the request, its potential community significance, anticipated costs, actual and potential support, an IRS determination letter, and contact-person details, with a one-page transmittal letter summarizing the request. The website states that the foundation does not make grants to individuals, including scholarships or student loans, and does not fund capital or endowment requests. It also says it will not fund organizations that discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, age, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation. Separately, the foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website identifies Judith Wyss as President Emeritus; Jennifer Wyss as President; Todd Ebersole as Treasurer; and Leili Kiaii as Secretary. It also lists James Damis, Carolyn Damis, Martin Schubert, Edmund Wyss, Emily Wyss, and Isabel Wyss as trustees. The 2025 filing lists Isabel Wyss, Edmund J. Wyss, Emily A. Wyss, and Jennifer A. Wyss as directors.
Wyss Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Edmund J. Wyss
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily A. Wyss
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Isabel Wyss
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer A. Wyss
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: James Damis (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Judith Wyss (2021–2023) — President
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.
Frequently asked questions about Wyss Foundation
How much does Wyss Foundation give each year?
Wyss Foundation gave $1.3M across 105 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $984K across 86 grants.
What is Wyss Foundation's typical grant size?
Wyss Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,381, across 105 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wyss Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Wyss Foundation give grants?
Wyss Foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (55 grants), Los Angeles, CA (6 grants), Charlottesville, VA (4 grants) and Pasadena, CA (2 grants).
Does Wyss Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 105 grants with a stated purpose on Wyss Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Organization Use" (25 grants) and "Ach" (5 grants).
Who are Wyss Foundation's largest grantees?
Wyss Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Los Angeles Regional Food Bank ($75,000), American Friends of NSWAS ($40,000) and International Physicians for the PR ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Wyss Foundation?
Wyss Foundation reported $10.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
What does Wyss Foundation fund?
The foundation was established to support important aspects of communities, including the arts, social and community assistance, and education. It also identifies the environment and animal welfare among the areas it supports. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wyss Foundation?
The website describes written requests and says there is no required application form, while the foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Wyss Foundation's EIN?
Wyss Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-1010019. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Wyss Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wyss Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Larson Legacy
Happy Valley, OR
The Larson Legacy funds organizations working in poverty and homelessness services, employment training, women’s economic independence, education, health care, environmental stewardship, and wildlife restoration. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $25,000, with a median of $1,000; most funding went to Oregon, with grants also reported in several other states. The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and directs applicants to contact Leland EG Larson; application details are listed in attachments.
Assets
$6.1M
Grants
62
Total Given
$210K
Rose E Tucker Charitable Trust
Milwaukee, WI
The Rose E Tucker Charitable Trust funds education, health and welfare, community development, social services, and arts and culture, with an emphasis on the Portland metropolitan area; most recent grants went to Oregon organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $250,000, with a median of $7,500. The 2024 filing says there are no deadlines and directs applicants to contact the trust; it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$15.8M
Grants
107
Total Given
$1.6M
The Robert D and Marcia H Randall
Portland, OR
The foundation funds education, youth development, and community programs that expand opportunity and strengthen social well-being, primarily in Oregon, with preference for Pacific Northwest applicants. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $150,000, with a median of $10,000. It requires a pre-application and accepts requests from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations; pre-application deadlines are June 15 and December 15.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
80
Total Given
$897K
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
Portland, OR
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette funds early learning, housing stability, disaster resilience, volunteerism, and civic engagement, with a focus on equity and community needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,168 to $1,565,638, with a median of $27,326, and primarily supported work in Oregon; its service area also includes parts of Washington and Central Oregon. The 2024–2026 Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund accepted applications, but that application period is closed; no general unsolicited-request policy is stated.
Assets
$43.1M
Grants
133
Total Given
$15.6M
The Collins Foundation
Portland, OR
The Collins Foundation funds Oregon organizations working on equity and community well-being, including efforts in education, health, arts and culture, environmental protection, and child development. Its 2024 grants had a median of $40,000; single-year GO Grants are typically $25,000–$100,000, averaging $75,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$234.9M
Grants
209
Total Given
$10.8M
The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Care
Portland, OR
The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation supports arts and culture, youth, education, medical, social service, and community activities, with most funding in Oregon but grants also going to organizations in states including New York and California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $364 to $1,970,998, with a median of $6,056. It says it funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though a separate Schnitzer Cares program has offered time-limited public applications for eligible nonprofits serving Oregon residents.
Assets
$104.8M
Grants
245
Total Given
$8.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Oregon
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wyss Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wyss-foundation-morg_e16ad2b6787c4af6a9aa65ec66d43d1c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_931010019_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wyss Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wyss-foundation-morg_e16ad2b6787c4af6a9aa65ec66d43d1c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Wyss 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.
Wyss Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?