The Seattle Foundation

Analysis

The Seattle Foundation is a registered charity in United States, based in Seattle, WA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in October 1947, 79 years ago. Its declared purposes cover philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations, which this site groups under grant-making and general purposes. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, The Seattle Foundation reported income of $186.7m and spending of $182.6m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $223.9m to $186.7m (-17%), an average of -4.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income dropped by 44%. Over the whole period it spent 84% of the income it received.

Among 19,413 United States charities whose main cause is grant-making and general purposes and that reported income, The Seattle Foundation sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within WA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego ($172.5m), Givewell Community Foundation Inc ($189.5m) and Van Andel Institute ($171.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 73% and program service revenue 3.4% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.8m (1.0% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $7.5m. At year end it held assets of $1.32bn against liabilities of $170.2m, net assets of $1.15bn. It reported 70 employees.