Forest Foundation
Tacoma, WA · EIN 91-6020514. Reported 241 grants totalling $4,122,400 to 113 organizations across tax years 2020-2023. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Forest Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $8,000 and $20,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $100,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington Foundation | Seattle, WA | $475,000 | 7 | 4 | 2023 |
| Museum of Glass | Tacoma, WA | $450,000 | 10 | 4 | 2023 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA | $165,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Arts Live | Tacoma, WA | $160,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Fuller Theological Seminary | Pasadena, CA | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Tacoma Art Museum | Tacoma, WA | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Symphony Tacoma | Tacoma, WA | $115,000 | 5 | 4 | 2023 |
| College Success Foundation | Tacoma, WA | $105,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| United Way of Pierce County | Tacoma, WA | $100,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Virginia Mason Foundation | Seattle, WA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Palmer Scholars | Tacoma, WA | $90,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Northwest Immigrant Rights Project | Seattle, WA | $80,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Northwest Sinfonietta | Tacoma, WA | $70,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Comprehensive Life Resources | Tacoma, WA | $63,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Community House | Tacoma, WA | $63,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Youth Symphony | Tacoma, WA | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Degrees of Change | Tacoma, WA | $55,000 | 5 | 4 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Opera Association | Tacoma, WA | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| YWCA Pierce County | Tacoma, WA | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Greentrike | Tacoma, WA | $46,000 | 5 | 4 | 2023 |
| New Phoebe House Association | Tacoma, WA | $42,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Hilltop Artists | Tacoma, WA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Pierce County Chaplaincy | Puyallup, WA | $40,000 | 4 | 3 | 2022 |
| Tacoma Urban League | Tacoma, WA | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Youth Chorus | Tacoma, WA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Edge Foundation | Seattle, WA | $38,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| The Center for Dialog & Resolution | Tacoma, WA | $37,500 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Sound Outreach | Tacoma, WA | $36,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Foundation for Tacoma Students | Tacoma, WA | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| American Leadership Forum Tacomapierce County | Tacoma, WA | $34,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Foss Waterway Seaport | Tacoma, WA | $31,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Catholic Community Services of Western Wa | Tacoma, WA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Catholic Community Services of Western Washington | Tacoma, WA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Eatonville Area Council | Eatonville, WA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Washington Trails Association | Seattle, WA | $30,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound | Seattle, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| College Success Foundation - Tacoma | Tacoma, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Emergency Food Network | Lakewood, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition | Puyallup, WA | $25,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Gig Harbor Peninsula Fish | Gig Harbor, WA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region | Tacoma, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Multicultural Child & Family Hope Center | Tacoma, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Amara Parenting & Adoption Services | Tacoma, WA | $24,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Communities in Schools of Tacoma | Tacoma, WA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Community Youth Services | Olympia, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Exodus Housing | Puyallup, WA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Forevergreen Trails | Tacoma, WA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Friends of Lakewold | Lakewood, WA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Northwest Trek Foundation | Eatonville, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Nourish Pierce County | Tacoma, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Partners for Parks | Lacey, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Parks Foundation | Tacoma, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Youth Symphony Association | Tacoma, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Teamchild | Seattle, WA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Trinity Lutheran Church | Tacoma, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Mockingbird Society | Seattle, WA | $19,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| A Step Ahead in Pierce Co | Puyallup, WA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Bethel Community Services | Spanaway, WA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Helping Hand House | Puyallup, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Homes First | Lacey, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Making a Difference Foundation | Tacoma, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Morningside | Olympia, WA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Northwest Hospitality | Port Orchard, WA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| St Francis House | Puyallup, WA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Tacoma Opera | Tacoma, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Mustard Seed Project | Vaughn, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| YWCA of Tacoma Pierce County | Tacoma, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Seattle Repertory Theatre | Seattle, WA | $14,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Trinity Presbyterian Church | Tacoma, WA | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Chambers Creek Foundation | University Place, WA | $11,600 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| 7TH Street Theatre Association | Hoquiam, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Amara | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| American Leadership Forum | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Child Care Resources | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Childcare Resources | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Connections | Montesano, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County | Olympia, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friends of Lakewold Dba Lakewold Gardens | Lakewood, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority | Aberdeen, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Greater Tacoma Community Foundation | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Neighborhood Clinic | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Northwest Furniture Bank | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Peace Community Center | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Pierce County AIDS Foundation | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Scarlet Road | Bremerton, WA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Tacoma Community Boat Builders Inc | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Tacoma Housing Authority | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Coffee Oasis | Bremerton, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Third Sector New England Inc | Boston, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Turning Pointe Domestic Violence Services | Shelton, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Washington Trafficking Prevention | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northwest Cooperative Development Center | Olympia, WA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northwest Natural Resource Group | Seattle, WA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ted Brown Music Outreach | Tacoma, WA | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Tacoma Refugee Choir | Tacoma, WA | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Diabetes Association of Pierce County | Tacoma, WA | $5,500 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| A Step Ahead in Pierce County | Puyallup, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Citizens for a Healthy Bay | Tacoma, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Mount St Helens Institute | Amboy, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Next Chapter Foundation | Tacoma, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Reach Dba Reach Ministries | Tacoma, WA | $5,000 | 3 | 2 | 2021 |
| Saint's Pantry Food Bank | Shelton, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Saints Pantry Food Bank | Shelton, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center | Tacoma, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Your Money Matters | Auburn, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| 2ND Cycle Community Bicycle Shop | Tacoma, WA | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Tacoma Tree Foundation | Tacoma, WA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Safeplace | Olympia, WA | $3,300 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| WRITE253 | Tacoma, WA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Reach Ministries Inc | Tacoma, WA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Muscular Dystrophy Association | Mountlake Terrace, WA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Pierce County Parks and Recreation | Lakewood, WA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
53 of 113 (47%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 54%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Museum of Glass
OPERATING SUPPORT - RED HOT - University of Washington Foundation
CAPITAL - DRESSEL SCHOLARS PROGRAM - Fuller Theological Seminary
OPERATING SUPPORT - PRESIDENTIAL CHAIR ENDOWMENT FUND - Virginia Mason Foundation
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN SYSTEMS IMMUNOLOGY AT BENAROYA RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT VIRGINIA MASON - Comprehensive Life Resources
INTEGRATED CARE CENTER FOR PIERCE COUNTY - United Way of Pierce County
CAPITAL - "CREATING POSSIBILITIES TOGETHER" CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 186 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 59 | $1,001,500 | $10,000 |
| 2021 | 60 | $987,800 | $10,000 |
| 2022 | 61 | $1,170,100 | $10,000 |
| 2023 | 61 | $963,000 | $10,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Forest Foundation has 47 of them, worth $1,380,600. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Opera | Seattle, WA | $100,000 |
| Seattle Opera | Seattle, WA | $100,000 |
| Seattle Opera | Seattle, WA | $100,000 |
| Seattle Opera | Seattle, WA | $100,000 |
| University of Washington Foundation | Seattle, WA | $62,500 |
| Tacoma Art Museum | Tacoma, WA | $50,000 |
| Tacoma Art Museum | Tacoma, WA | $50,000 |
| Tacoma Art Museum | Tacoma, WA | $50,000 |
| Fuller Theological Seminary | Pasadena, CA | $50,000 |
| Virginia Mason Foundation | Seattle, WA | $50,000 |
| Fuller Theological Seminary | Pasadena, CA | $50,000 |
| Virginia Mason Foundation | Seattle, WA | $50,000 |
| Fuller Theological Seminary | Pasadena, CA | $50,000 |
| Grand Tacoma Cine Club | Tacoma, WA | $40,000 |
| Grand Tacoma Cine Club | Tacoma, WA | $40,000 |
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 96% of this one's giving went to organizations in Washington. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Washington.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Forest Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2020-2023). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: P O Box 1278, Tacoma, WA, 98401. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 91-6020514 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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