Well Told Grants

Foundations / Washington

The Gunnar and Ruth Lie Foundation

Preselected recipients only Bellevue, Washington · EIN 912090480

The Gunnar and Ruth Lie Foundation is a private foundation in Bellevue, Washington. In tax year 2025 it gave $202,000 in 3 grants; the typical grant was $100,000 and the largest $100,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was down from $2.5 million the year before.

67% 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 yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$3.4 million9$37.1 million
2024$2.5 million7$41.5 million
2025$202,0003$47.8 million

How to apply

The Gunnar and Ruth Lie Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What The Gunnar and Ruth Lie Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Texas.

StateGrantsAmount
Texas1$100,000
Washington1$100,000
California1$2,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 3 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
First Liberty Institute
Plano, TX
To assist org. In carrying out charitable purposes$100,000
Union Gospel Mission
Seattle, WA
To assist org. In carrying out charitable purposes$100,000
Tulare Bethel Church
Tulare, CA
To assist org. In carrying out charitable purposes$2,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Gunnar and Ruth Lie Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does The Gunnar and Ruth Lie Foundation give?

$202,000 in tax year 2025, across 3 grants, with a typical grant of $100,000.

Who runs The Gunnar and Ruth Lie Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Gunnar Lie (Director), Ruth Lie (Director), Kirsten Miller (Director) and Elizabeth Lie (Director).

What does The Gunnar and Ruth Lie Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly faith communities.

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