The Bamford Foundation
Accepts applications
The Bamford Foundation is a private foundation in Tacoma, Washington. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.7 million in 140 grants; the typical grant was $8,000 and the largest $166,666. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.7 million
- Number of grants140
- Typical grant$8,000
- Largest grant$166,666
- Assets$24.3 million
- New grantees41%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.5 million the year before.
41% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $2.0 million | 97 | $14.8 million |
| 2023 | $35,000 | 3 | $15.1 million |
| 2024 | $1.5 million | 156 | $24.6 million |
| 2025 | $1.7 million | 140 | $24.3 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Holly Bamford PO Box 1135, Tacoma, WA 98401 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (253) 905-7614, holly@bamfordfoundation.org |
| What to submit | The bamford foundation has now adopted an online grants portal through which organizations may submit a letter of inquiry. www.grantinterface.com. See www.bamfordfoundation.org for more information. |
| Deadlines | For 2025, grant cycles will occur during the winter, spring, and summer quarters. |
| Restrictions | For 2025, the foundation will focus on leveraging the impact of small (less than 15,000) size grants with both new and existing grant partners. The foundation continues to make grants aligned with four priority giving areas, primarily within the greater tacoma and pierce county, in the spirt of our founders' mission to improve the quality of life of individuals and families and strengthen their communities. Our four giving priorities: basic needs, early learning and parent support, expanded learning opportunities, post-secondary ed & job training. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Bamford Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Washington.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 138 | $1.7 million |
| Illinois | 1 | $15,000 |
| California | 1 | $2,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties | Pearl street y campaign support | $166,666 |
| Foundation for Tacoma Students | General support | $82,500 |
| Asia Pacific Cultural Center | Education and mentoring programs. | $65,000 |
| First 5 Fundamentals | General support | $50,264 |
| Greater Tacoma Community Foundation | General support | $50,000 |
| Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center | General support | $50,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Tacoma | Program support | $48,000 |
| Brightspark Early Learning Services | Advocacy grant | $40,000 |
| Foss Waterway Seaport Museum | Program support | $35,000 |
| Goodwill of the Olympics and Ranier | Postsecondary pathways - general support | $25,000 |
| Tacomapierce County Habitat for Humanity | Basic needs - general support | $25,000 |
| The Trust for Public Land | Basic needs | $25,000 |
| Comprehensive Life Resources | Program support | $20,000 |
| Goodroots Northwest | General support | $20,000 |
| Tacoma Parks Foundation | General support | $20,000 |
| The Big Homie Program | Expanded learning opp. | $20,000 |
| University of Washington Foundation (Uw-Tacoma) | Milgard hall campaign and iige support | $20,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound | Program support | $18,000 |
| American Leadership Forum | General support | $17,000 |
| Oasis Youth Center | Expanded learning opportunities - general support | $16,000 |
| Tacid | Job training for individuals with disabilities | $15,500 |
| Amara | Program support | $15,000 |
| Associated Ministries | Access 4 point housing and outreach support. | $15,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound | General support | $15,000 |
| Emergency Food Network of Tacoma | Access to postsecondary edu. | $15,000 |
| Making A Difference Foundation | General program support | $15,000 |
| Metropolitan Development Council | Program and general support | $15,000 |
| Rainers Scholars | Postsecondary pathways - general support | $15,000 |
| Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County | General program support | $15,000 |
| Schools Out Washington | General support | $15,000 |
| Start Early Washington | General support | $15,000 |
| Symphony Tacoma | Program support - family concert series | $15,000 |
| Tacoma Arts Live | Program and general support | $15,000 |
| Tacoma Community Boat Builders | General operations support | $15,000 |
| Tra Medical Imaging Foundation | Scholarship fund | $15,000 |
| Degrees of Change | General support | $12,000 |
| Friends of the Children | Program and general support | $12,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Washington | Biztown scholarships program support | $12,000 |
| Northwest Education Access | Program support - pierce county student postsecondary access | $12,000 |
| Raising Girls | Program and general support | $12,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Calvin Bamford Jr
- Joanne Bamford
- Holly Bamford
- Drew Bamford
- Heather Bamford
Questions people ask
Does The Bamford Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: For 2025, grant cycles will occur during the winter, spring, and summer quarters..
How much does The Bamford Foundation give?
$1.7 million in tax year 2025, across 140 grants, with a typical grant of $8,000.
Who runs The Bamford Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Calvin Bamford Jr (President / Treasurer), Joanne Bamford (VP / Director), Holly Bamford (Secretary / Director) and Drew Bamford (Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does The Bamford Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and arts and culture.