The Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation is a private foundation in Seattle, Washington. In tax year 2024 it gave $9.7 million in 50 grants; the typical grant was $25,000 and the largest $4.3 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$9.7 million
- Number of grants50
- Typical grant$25,000
- Largest grant$4.3 million
- Assets$40.6 million
- New grantees38%
Giving in 2024 was up from $2.7 million the year before.
38% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $2.5 million | 57 | $40.3 million |
| 2023 | $2.7 million | 44 | $46.3 million |
| 2024 | $9.7 million | 50 | $40.6 million |
How to apply
The Jon and Mary Shirley 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.
What The Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 12 | $4.7 million |
| Washington | 20 | $3.7 million |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $635,000 |
| Connecticut | 2 | $110,000 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $100,000 |
| Virginia | 2 | $100,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $75,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $70,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $50,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $50,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Calder Foundation | Mountains and Clouds Project | $4.3 million |
| Seattle Art Museum | $250,000 for Ai Weiwei 2025 exhibition support; $100,000 for Contributors Circles 2024-2025; $2,500,000 for Connect Art to Life pledge pmt 1 of 4 | $2.9 million |
| The Hill School Office of Advancement | $100,000 for Annual Giving - The Hill Fund; $500,000 for Construction of the Shirley Quadrivium Center | $600,000 |
| United Way of King County | 2025 pledge pmt 1 of 5 plus add'l for CSN | $300,000 |
| Americares Foundation | December matching gift challenge | $100,000 |
| Henry Gallery Association Henry Art Gallery | Pledge pmt 3 of 3 | $100,000 |
| Whitney Museum of American Art | $50,000 for Calder Exhibition Support; $35,000 for FY25 Chairman's Council | $85,000 |
| The Museum of Modern Art | $50,000 for Chairman's Council for FY '25 ending June 30; $25,000 In Honor of Glenn Lowry | $75,000 |
| Hirshhorn Museum&SculptureGarden | $25,000 for Annual Spring Luncheon support; $50,000 for NY Gala Vice Chair table | $75,000 |
| National Gallery of Art | $50,000 for Collectors Committee anniversary gift; $20,000 for Collectors Committee renewal: Jon & Kim | $70,000 |
| Seattle Aquarium | $15,000 for General support; $50,000 for One Ocean Campaign pledge pmt 2 of 5 | $65,000 |
| Cascade Public Media | $10,000 for General support; $50,000 for Pledge pmt 4 of 6 | $60,000 |
| Tate Americas Foundation | $10,000 for Artists Dinner Gift towards Ghost & Spirit; $45,000 for Trustee Contribution / NA Acquisitions Cmte '24-'25 | $55,000 |
| Dia Art Foundation | $25,000 for Leadership Council renewal | $55,000 |
| KNKX | Pledge pmt 3 of 3 | $50,000 |
| Seattle Times Fund for the Needy | General support | $50,000 |
| Vetsaid | General support | $50,000 |
| International Arts and Artists | General support | $50,000 |
| Care USA | President Fund | $50,000 |
| National Redistricting Foundation | General support | $50,000 |
| Benaroya Hall Attn Donor Relations | Robert Rauschenberg piece resinstallation | $50,000 |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Maria Salas-Shirley Stride Against Strive | $50,000 |
| Care | General support | $50,000 |
| Artist Trust | 2025 Artist Trust Auction support | $35,000 |
| International Sculpture Center | 2026 Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award | $25,000 |
| Metropolitan Museum of Art | Director's Fund 2025-2026 Membership | $25,000 |
| The Ronald Coase Institute | General support | $25,000 |
| Farestart | General support | $25,000 |
| Swedish Medical Center Foundation | For the Geriatric Care Fund, pledge pmt 4 of 4 | $25,000 |
| Art 21 Inc co Development Office | Art21 Archive project support | $25,000 |
| Friends of Waterfront Park | Campaign for Waterfront Park | $25,000 |
| Hopewell Fund Attn Lockbock Department | Vote Forward Education Fund | $25,000 |
| Pebble Beach Company Foundation | In memory of Erick Shirley | $25,000 |
| University of Washington Foundation | Pledge pmt 2 of 4 Stan Herring, Sports Institute | $25,000 |
| International Council of Moma | 2024-25 Annual Dues / Additional contribution | $15,000 |
| Tacoma Art Museum | Director's Circle membership renewal | $15,000 |
| Storm King Art Center | General support | $10,000 |
| Seattle University | For SUPAC | $10,000 |
| Climate Solutions | General support | $10,000 |
| Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health | General support | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Jon A Shirley
Questions people ask
Does The Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation give?
$9.7 million in tax year 2024, across 50 grants, with a typical grant of $25,000.
Who runs The Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Jon A Shirley (Director).
What does The Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and human services.