Dimmer Family Foundation Grant

Dimmer Family Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Dimmer Family Foundation
Last Updated: December 19, 2025

Summary

The Dimmer Family Foundation Grant, established in 1993, supports various charitable organizations primarily in Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington. Although the application process is currently closed, the foundation has awarded over $15 million to initiatives focusing on children, families, the elderly, and more. The Board meets twice yearly to review grant requests, emphasizing past relationships and the relevance of the organization's mission. Updates from previously funded organizations are encouraged.

Overview

NOTE: The grant application process is closed. The Board considers a few new requests each year. Interested organizations are encouraged to make an inquiry to the foundation by email. If the organization meets our geographic criteria and there is an interest, the organization will be invited to meet with the Executive Director or to submit an application without a meeting. Grant requests submitted without an invitation from the Executive Director or member of the Board are generally not considered. About The Dimmer Family Foundation was founded in 1993 in Tacoma, Washington by John C. and Marilyn J. Dimmer. Since its inception, the foundation has granted over $15 million to qualified charities, primarily in Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington. Contributions have been made to organizations focusing on children, families and the elderly; military and veterans; education; civic improvements, social services; culture and the arts; healthcare; animals and the environment. The grants are varied and unique and reflect the diverse interests of family members. We are proud to support organizations of all sizes. We have honored requests from fund raising professionals, committed volunteers and enterprising youth. This foundation has supported many capital projects which have left a lasting legacy in our community. However, the majority of our foundation gifts are made for operating support or programs. We make grants to more than 100 charitable organizations annually. Grants The grant application process is closed. Grants are made by decision and discretion of the Board of Directors. The Board meets at least twice a year, with letters of decision and grants being mailed shortly thereafter. The majority of grants are made at our spring meeting in the second quarter of the calendar year. The second meeting is in the fourth quarter of the year. In some unusual cases, we may be able to make a decision on a grant request between meetings if we are made aware of a particular urgency. In the grant making process, we consider: a past history of giving with that organization; a personal relationship of a Board member with that organization or a person associated with that organization; and the relevancy of the mission of the organization. While past history is a good indicator of whether the Board will make future grants, no organization should assume that a future grant is guaranteed. Organizations that the foundation has previously supported are not asked to make a grant request annually, however, it is advisable to periodically provide organizational updates in the form of letters or newsletters, or to schedule a meeting with Diane Dimmer, Executive Director.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We generally only consider organizations serving Tacoma-Pierce County.