The Russell Family Foundation
Accepts applications
The Russell Family Foundation is a private foundation in Gig Harbor, Washington. In tax year 2024 it gave $1.5 million in 128 grants; the typical grant was $8,500 and the largest $75,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$1.5 million
- Number of grants128
- Typical grant$8,500
- Largest grant$75,000
- Assets$76.6 million
- New grantees55%
Giving in 2024 was down from $1.8 million the year before.
55% of its 2024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.8 million | 139 | $77.3 million |
| 2024 | $1.5 million | 128 | $76.6 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Britta Francesconi PO Box 2567, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (253) 857-1679 |
| What to submit | Letters of inquiry are received through an online grant making program (foundant technologies) that is accessed through the trff website and may be invited to submit full proposals. The information and materials requested vary for each program but typically include project details, budget, and lists of key staff and the board of directors. |
| Deadlines | Grant cycle deadlines may be accessed on the trff website. |
| Restrictions | Employee matching gifts and discretionary grants must be given to a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or completed through expenditure responsibility if it is for a charitable purpose. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Russell Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to Washington.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 102 | $1.6 million |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $92,000 |
| California | 4 | $77,000 |
| Oregon | 4 | $75,000 |
| New York | 2 | $27,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $25,000 |
| Alaska | 5 | $15,000 |
| Colorado | 3 | $15,000 |
| Idaho | 1 | $15,000 |
| New Mexico | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community to Community Development (C2C) FS Institute for Washingtons Futur | Support for cooperativa tierra y libertad, a communally-owned model for organic, regenerative and climate-resilient farming | $75,000 |
| Pierce Conservation District | Harvest pierce county | $75,000 |
| Puget Sound Restoration Fund | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Restaurant 2 Garden (Fiscal Sponsor Seattle Parks Foundation) | Restaurant 2 garden expansion | $75,000 |
| Viva Farms | Agpark market center construction | $75,000 |
| Kulshan Carbon Trust | Expanding farmer access to regenerative soil amendments through the community biochar program | $70,000 |
| Washington Water Trust | Farms and fish: climate-resilient and fish-friendly water for farming in the sammamish valley | $60,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Peninsula | Lazarus fund | $50,000 |
| VC Include A Project of Tides Center | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Washington Maritime Blue | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Foss Waterway Seaport | Science on the sea | $45,000 |
| Greater Tacoma Community Foundation | Gig harbor land conservation fund, north creek salmon heritage site phase 4 | $30,000 |
| Washington State University Kitsap County Extension | General operating support for small farms programming | $26,000 |
| Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians | General operating support | $25,000 |
| As You Sow | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Clean Energy Transition Institute | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Climate Interactive Fiscally Sponsored by New Venture Fund | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Confluence Philanthropy | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Emerald Cities Collaborative | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Gig Harbor Peninsula Fish | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Mason Conservation District | Fostering stewardship through outdoor experiential learning opportunities | $25,000 |
| Shift Zero (Fiscal Sponsor NW Energy Coalition) | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Spark Northwest | General operating support | $25,000 |
| University of Washington Foundation (Mount Rainier Institute) | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Washington Maritime Blue | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Great Peninsula Conservancy | General operating support | $24,000 |
| Pacific Education Institute | Puget sound youth engaged in sustainable systems (yess) | $24,000 |
| Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians | General operating support for atni | $20,000 |
| Clean Energy Transition Institute | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Climate Interactive Fiscally Sponsored by New Venture Fund | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Emerald Cities Collaborative | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Harbor Wildwatch | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Spark Northwest | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Sea Potential (Fiscal Sponsor Sustainable Seattle) | General youth programming support | $18,000 |
| Wild Society | 2024 general operating support | $18,000 |
| Environmental Science Center | Environmental heroes: education, restoration, and leadership for south king county youth | $17,500 |
| Puget Sound Voyaging Society (DBA Community Boat Project) | General operating support | $17,500 |
| Summer Search | Experiential summer program | $17,500 |
| The Foundation for Wwu and Alumni | Sea discovery center: salish sea field trip program | $17,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Kathleen Simpson
- Sarah Cavanaugh
- Chris Rurik
- Tim Cavanaugh
- Dion Rurik
- Josh Cavanaugh
- Mimi Chau
- Sarah Cleveland
- Evlyn Andrade
- Rashad Morris
Questions people ask
Does The Russell Family Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Grant cycle deadlines may be accessed on the trff website..
How much does The Russell Family Foundation give?
$1.5 million in tax year 2024, across 128 grants, with a typical grant of $8,500.
Who runs The Russell Family Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Kathleen Simpson (Ceo), Sarah Cavanaugh (President), Chris Rurik (Vice President) and Tim Cavanaugh (Treasurer) among 10 officers and trustees.
What does The Russell Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and youth programs.