Baker Foundation Grant

The Baker Foundation Grant supports 501c3 non-profit organizations primarily in Pierce County, Washington. Established in 1987 by the Baker family, it aims to enhance community welfare through funding for youth programs, arts, and education. Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000 for programs and $25,000 for capital projects.

NOTE: If you are a new applicant or have been declined for funding in the past year, please submit a proposal letter that summarizes your project. Those proposal letters that fit our current priorities move on to the second step. The Foundation accepts proposal letters all year. It my take up to six months from the arrival of a proposal letter to approval of a formal grant application by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Deadlines for formal applications are listed above.
Giving Back to Our Community
For more than 74 years the Baker family owned and published the Tacoma News Tribune. In 1986 Elbert sold The Tacoma News Tribune to McClatchy Newspapers. Taking $1.5 million from the sale of the News Tribune, he established The Baker Trust and Foundation in 1987 to provide funding for Tacoma youth programs, arts and education. “Tacoma did so much for my father; he just wanted to give something back,” said Elbert’s daughter, Martine, a former director.
In 1995 Elbert Baker died, leaving his family to continue the labor of love he had begun. Elbert loved the city of Tacoma, its people, and its institutions. His vision for the Foundation was that it should provide a legacy of fine arts, education, and health institution funding for the community, emphasizing programs for youth. The trust grows each year by about $100,000 in assets and it disperses at least five percent of its total annually. Recipients are determined by the Baker Foundation board, family members who each contribute to the trust financially.
Supporting the Future
The Baker Foundation has provided funding for the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, children’s art programs, local theater, and many annual events. The Baker Foundation Scholarship is awarded each year to seniors graduating from Tacoma high schools who show academic and civic merit. The Frank S. Baker Center is home to Day Surgery of Tacoma and other medical treatment facilities. The Sprague Building was rededicated as The Betye Martin Baker Human Service Center in 1995 after a major gift from Elbert Baker made complete renovation of the building possible.
The Baker Foundation is dedicated to preserving and furthering the vision of its founder through many years ahead. Like Elbert H. Baker II, the Foundation is a dynamic yet quiet influence in the community he loved. The people and institutions of Tacoma and Pierce County will continue to benefit from his vision for many generations.
Average Grant Amount
Program Grants average between $2,500 and $10,000. Capital Grants and Endowment Grants are $25,000 each.

Eligibility

Grants are made only to 501c3 non-profit charitable organizations.The Baker Foundation confines grants primarily to the State of Washington, Pierce County.The Foundation will review proposals from regional organizations with a demonstrated record of service in the Foundation’s areas of focus; i.e., Pierce County, Washington.Organizations may apply once per calendar year.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not accept rewritten proposals, as it does not wish to encourage grant seekers to revise projects just to get a grant.Grants are made only to 501c3 non-profit charitable organizations. As a general policy, The Baker Foundation does not make contributions for:Projects which are primarily or normally funded by public tax funds
Religious organizations for sectarian purposes.