5 survey respondents
Location: 1200 5th Ave Ste 1300, Seattle, 98101 WA
EIN: 91-6013536
0%
100%
6 hours
Median
38%
63%
38%
63%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
They are interested in funding organizations in South King County who serve marginalized communities, which I give them some credit for. But they balk at organizations who push for more radical change - through community organizing, systems change, and/or advocacy. They seem to value diversity over equity and racial justice.
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with, Culturally incompetent, Bureaucratic, Risk averse
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2016
Bad
It was very difficult to get ahold of a Program Officer to ask questions about the application. And when funded, it was unclear who I should have been communicating with. Both the grant application and report were onerous, and it took quite a bit of staff time to fit their prescribed format. The funding amount was small and was also fairly restricted. Despite being given a small grant, we were unable to use all the funds due to their funding restrictions.
Bad
They fund nonprofits that provide short-term relief to communities of color, but are only beginning to fund initiatives for long-term systems change. It is very frustrating to watch their hesitation to go all in on racial justice. Their community grant program also comprises a very small amount of their total grant making. It seems like more money flows to conservative organizations via their donor-advised funds than it does to equity-centered organizations.
Please give multi-year general operating dollars and fund organizations doing systems change work. I would also like to see Seattle Foundation elevating leaders of color and community-based organizations rather than taking credit for all their work.
If you are willing to play the "big philanthropy game" and cozy up to program officers and decision makers, there is an opportunity to get larger grant dollars.
They are improving on their racial justice work. Their program officers also seem to be representative of community values, though stifled by senior leadership.
8
Grant Applicant - applied in 2015
Sadly, this foundation is not what it used to be. Leadership seems to be more fixated on acquiring funds (like they can really compete with Fidelity Charitable) than really funding and learning about the community they aim to serve. As a grant seeker, the RFPs are fairly sparse and narrow. Arts and culture funding is limited and their staff seem stretched. It you fit the bill for funding, by all means apply and while you're in with them, lean on them to be the type of community foundation they need to be.
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2015
Average
Average
See review
Schmoozing with donors
0
Reviewer 3862 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
If you fit the guidelines for one of the Foundation's handful of RFPs, it can be worth the time to apply, but do not expect staff to be available to meet with you to learn more about your organization or discuss how you can get share your mission with the many high-net-worth individuals who hold a donor-advised fund there. I've yet to meet a program officer interested in helping to broaden their fund-holders' horizons.
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Average
They will certainly answer your e-mail or phone call, and will conduct a site visit if your application to an RFP is deemed competitive, but getting a meeting in the absence of a pending application is extremely difficult.
Average
8
Did not apply
The Seattle Foundation has funds directed to specific causes or geographic locations (not all in Seattle or King County). Some funds/programs have annual deadlines, but the Seattle Foundation also develops grant programs to respond to new issues. They don't make general operating support grants anymore, and may not fund the same issue areas from year to year.
Array
Did not apply
2015
Average
Average
Publicize all grant opportunities through an email list or e-newsletter
They don't have an email list for publicizing grant opportunities, and there are several places (website pages, blog, Facebook) in which grant opportunities can be announced - they all need to be checked because not every grant opportunity is publicized in every place.
Develops new grant programs to fund emerging issues
0
Grant Applicant - applied in 2015
don't give up.
Worth the time to pitch, Repeat funding
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field
Applied for funding
6
2015
Yes
Not so much
5
$5,001 - $25,000
