FundersWashington

The Firstenburg Foundation

Vancouver, WA · EIN 68-0525464. Reported 254 grants totalling $6,187,239 to 177 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$15,000median grant
$6,187,239granted, 2021-2024
177organizations funded
26%of grantees funded again the next year
$42.8Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Firstenburg Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $15,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $7,500 and $40,000; the smallest was $50 and the largest $215,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
5 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
19 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
43 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
77 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
51 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
56 grants
$100,000 and Up
3 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Specialized Housing IncBeaverton, OR$215,000112024
Clark County Food BankVancouver, WA$155,000222022
Evergreen Habitat for HumanityVancouver, WA$150,500432024
Childrens CenterVancouver, WA$150,000322023
De La Salle Catholic North High SchoolPortland, OR$125,000112021
Vancouver Housing AuthorityVancouver, WA$123,000432024
Northwest Association for Blind AthletesVancouver, WA$120,000222023
Fish of VancouverVancouver, WA$111,300322024
Battle Ground Health CareBattle Ground, WA$107,500322023
Fort Vancouver Regional Library FoundationVancouver, WA$105,000332024
Boys and Girls Club of Sw WashingtonVancouver, WA$103,400432024
Council for the HomelessVancouver, WA$100,050322024
Bridgeview HousingVancouver, WA$100,000222022
Community House on BroadwayLongview, WA$100,000222024
Foundation for Vancouver Public SchoolsVancouver, WA$100,000222023
Friends of the Children- Sw WashingtonVancouver, WA$100,000222023
Skyline Hospital FoundationWhite Salmon, WA$100,000222022
Share IncVancouver, WA$91,374322024
Lifeline ConnectionsVancouver, WA$91,200332024
Pink Lemonade ProjectVancouver, WA$87,600742024
Community Roots CollaborativeVancouver, WA$85,000322024
Lutheran Community Services NorthwestMcminnville, OR$85,000222023
Cowlitz Family Health CenterLongview, WA$80,000222023
Fourth Plain ForwardVancouver, WA$80,000432024
Second Step HousingVancouver, WA$80,000322024
Columbia River Mental Health ServicesVancouver, WA$75,020112021
Harpers PlaygroundPortland, OR$75,000112021
Medical Teams InternationalPortland, OR$75,000222023
Providence Childrens Health FoundationPortland, OR$75,000112021
Sacred Earth FoundationGoldendale, WA$75,000112021
Family Promise of Clark CountyVancouver, WA$68,225222024
Free Clinic of Southwest WashingtonVancouver, WA$67,500432023
Washington Gorge Action ProgramsCook, WA$65,000322024
Lelooska FoundationAriel, WA$60,000222024
Police Activities League of Sw WashingtonVancouver, WA$56,000212023
Open House MinistriesVancouver, WA$55,000222024
YWCA Clark CountyVancouver, WA$52,750312023
Battle Ground HealthcareBattle Ground, WA$50,000112021
Boys & Girls Club of Sw WashingtonVancouver, WA$50,000112024
Clark College FoundationVancouver, WA$50,000112021
Clark County Veterans Assistance CenterVancouver, WA$50,000112022
CultureseedWhite Salmon, WA$50,000222024
Financial Beginnings WashingtonTukwila, WA$50,000112021
Friends of the Children-PortlandPortland, OR$50,000112021
Greater ThanPortland, OR$50,000112021
Impact NwPortland, OR$50,000112022
Janus Youth ProgramsPortland, OR$50,000112024
Junior Achievement of Oregon & Sw WashingtonPortland, OR$50,000112022
Lower Columbia College FoundationLongview, WA$50,000112023
Meals on Wheels People IncPortland, OR$50,000112022
Oregon Museum of Science and IndustryPortland, OR$50,000112022
Outsiders InnVancouver, WA$50,000112024
Rocksolid Community Teen CenterBush Prairie, WA$50,000112022
Stevenson Community Pool DistrictStevenson, WA$50,000112023
The Salvation ArmyVancouver, WA$50,000112021
The Watershed Alliance of Southwest WashingtonVancouver, WA$41,003112022
Cascade AIDS ProjectVancouver, WA$40,000112024
Nw Furniture BankVancouver, WA$40,000222024
FosterfulVancouver, WA$35,000222024
Girls Inc of the Pacific NorthwestPortland, OR$35,000112021
Pax Learning CenterVancouver, WA$35,000222024
Reach Community DevelopmentPortland, OR$30,800112021
Columbia River Mental HealthVancouver, WA$30,000112024
Friends of Hospice Sw WashingtonVancouver, WA$30,000222023
Lift Urban PortlandPortland, OR$30,000112021
The Childrens Discovery MuseumEugene, OR$30,000112023
Vietnamese Community of Clark CountyVancouver, WA$30,000332024
Washington Autism AllianceKirkland, WA$30,000112021
Vancouver Symphony OrchestraVancouver, WA$27,750112022
Childrens Home Society of WashingtonVancouver, WA$25,206222023
American Red Cross Cascades DivisionBend, OR$25,000112021
Arthur D Curtis Childrens Justice CenterVancouver, WA$25,000112022
Birch Community ServicesPortland, OR$25,000112022
Bradley AnglePortland, OR$25,000112021
Childrens Cancer AssociationPortland, OR$25,000112021
Emergency Support ShelterLongview, WA$25,000112022
Friends of the CarpenterVancouver, WA$25,000112022
Greater VancouverVancouver, WA$25,000112023
Hello Life Eating Disorder Recovery ServicesLongview, WA$25,000332024
Housing Opportunities of Sw WashingtonLongview, WA$25,000112022
Innovative Services NwVancouver, WA$25,000112021
Lower Columbia School GardensLongview, WA$25,000112023
Odyssey World International Education ServicesVancouver, WA$25,000112023
Rooted School VancouverVancouver, WA$25,000112023
Vancouver St Vincent De Paul Society ConferenceVancouver, WA$25,000112022
KomakBeaverton, OR$23,200112023
Community WarehousePortland, OR$21,527112022
A Caring ClosetVancouver, WA$20,000222024
College PossiblePortland, OR$20,000112021
Dental Foundation of OregonWillsonville, OR$20,000112021
Family Promise of Cowlitz CountyKelso, WA$20,000212024
Galia Recovery HomesPortland, OR$20,000112023
Human SolutionsPortland, OR$20,000112021
Neighbors Helping NeighborsRidgefield, WA$20,000222024
Sparrows Clubs USABend, OR$20,000112021
Young Audiences of Oregon & Southwest WashingtonPortland, OR$20,000112021
Great Life MentoringVancouver, WA$16,578112021
Smart ReadingPortland, OR$16,000112022
Bridge MeadowsPortland, OR$15,000112021
Celebrate Life International Dba Teach One to Lead OneVancouver, WA$15,000112022
Chess for SuccessPortland, OR$15,000112022
Humane Society for Southwest WashingtonVancouver, WA$15,000212024
Lions Sight Foundation of Clark CountyVancouver, WA$15,000112022
Office Moms and DadsVancouver, WA$15,000112021
Saturday AcademyPortland, OR$15,000112021
Skyview Boosters ClubVancouver, WA$15,000112023
The Foundation WaVancouver, WA$15,000212024
Vancouver Firefighters Community Assistance FundVancouver, WA$15,000332024
Nautical Safety FoundationPortland, OR$11,000222024
Als Association of Oregon and Sw WashingtonPortland, OR$10,000112021
Ashby Family Lead & Engagement ServicesVancouver, WA$10,000112024
Battle Ground Adventist Community ServicesBattle Ground, WA$10,000112022
Bethany Lutheran ChurchPortland, OR$10,000112021
Bravo Youth OrchestraPortland, OR$10,000112021
Childrens Justice & Advocacy CenterLongview, WA$10,000112022
Clark County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue TeamRidgefield, WA$10,000112024
Cloth and FosterVancouver, WA$10,000112024
Cowlitz Community NetworkKelso, WA$10,000112024
Dovelewis Emergency Animal HospitalPortland, OR$10,000112021
Family Promise of CowlitzKelso, WA$10,000112023
Fish of Cowlitz CountyLongview, WA$10,000112022
Friends of Vancouver LakeVancouver, WA$10,000112024
IncightPortland, OR$10,000112021
Lewis River Mobile Food BankLa Center, WA$10,000112024
Lewis River Rotary FoundationBattle Ground, WA$10,000112022
Live Love OutreachVancouver, WA$10,000112024
Maryhill Museum of ArtGoldendale, WA$10,000112023
National Womans Coalition Against Violence & ExploitationVancouver, WA$10,000112023
National Women's Coalition Against Violence & ExploitationVancouver, WA$10,000112024
Ren LocusVancouver, WA$10,000112024
Restored and RevivedVancouver, WA$10,000112024
SAIL2CHANGEVancouver, WA$10,000112021
Second Chance CompanionsVancouver, WA$10,000112024
Stephens PlaceVancouver, WA$10,000112022
The Childrens Book BankPortland, OR$10,000112021
Vancouver Bee ProjectVancouver, WA$10,000112024
Wheel to Walk FoundationPortland, OR$10,000112021
White Salmon Valley Education FoundationWhite Salmon, WA$10,000112024
Play It ForwardEncino, CA$8,750112022
Als Association of Or and Sw WaPortland, OR$7,500112023
Edge FoundationSeattle, WA$7,200112021
Metropolitan Youth SymphonyPortland, OR$7,000112022
Police Activities League of Southwest WashingtonVancouver, WA$6,500212024
Portland Urban Debate LeaguePortland, OR$6,000112022
Assistance League of Greater PortlandBeaverton, OR$5,000112021
Assistance League of Southwest WashingtonVancouver, WA$5,000112022
Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland MetroPortland, OR$5,000112021
Camas High SchoolCamas, WA$5,000112023
Cdm Caregiving ServicesVancouver, WA$5,000112024
Free Clinic of Sw WashingtonVancouver, WA$5,000112024
Friends of TreesPortland, OR$5,000112021
Hough FoundationVancouver, WA$5,000112024
Kinship HousePortland, OR$5,000112022
Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital FoundationVancouver, WA$5,000112024
Northwest Diamond DawgsPea Ridge, AZ$5,000112023
Operation Warm IncChadds Ford, PA$5,000112021
Oregon Coast AquariumNewport, OR$5,000112021
Park AcademyLake Oswego, OR$5,000112021
Project LinusBelton, MO$5,000112023
Returning Veterans ProjectPortland, OR$5,000112023
ShunpikeSeattle, WA$5,000112022
The Zain Justis FoundationCamas, WA$5,000112024
Portland Street MedicinePortland, OR$4,100112021
Community Foundation for Southwest WaVancouver, WA$4,000212024
Hope for the GoodBattle Ground, WA$3,500112024
Hawaii Community FoundationKahului, HI$3,334112023
Maui Food BankWailuku, HI$3,333112023
Maui Humane SocietyPuunene, HI$3,333112023
Portland Piano InternationalPortland, OR$3,000112021
Foundation for VancouverVancouver, WA$2,500112023
Police Activity League of VancouverVancouver, WA$2,500112021
Community Foundation for Sw WashingtonVancouver, WA$2,000112023
Salmon Creek Little LeagueVancouver, WA$2,000112022
Special Olympics WashingtonSeattle, WA$1,000112023
Columbia River High School Booster ClubVancouver, WA$500112023
Santa's PosseVancouver, WA$450112024
Lifeline ConnectionVancouver, WA$256112023

41 of 177 (23%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 26%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 170 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Human Services
57 grants
Health Care
18 grants
Housing & Shelter
14 grants
Arts & Culture
13 grants
Youth Development
12 grants
Education
12 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
7 grants
Mental Health
7 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202159$1,659,997$20,000
202261$1,821,236$25,000
202366$1,361,456$10,000
202468$1,344,550$10,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 74% of this one's giving went to organizations in Washington. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Washington
$4.6M
Oregon
$1.6M
Hawaii
$10K
California
$9K
Arizona
$5K
Missouri
$5K
Pennsylvania
$5K

Find more foundations like The Firstenburg Foundation

We email you newly filed foundations whose giving matches your state and cause, as the IRS publishes them. Free.

No spam, unsubscribe in one click. We never sell or share your address.

Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

American Online Giving Foundation Inc69 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc66 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund65 shared recipientsThe Oregon Community Foundation50 shared recipientsMarie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation46 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program44 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $15,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Washington.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from The Firstenburg Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 1220 Main Street 203, Vancouver, WA, 98660. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 68-0525464 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.