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Frederick Stearns Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Frederick Stearns Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$60k
Granted FY2025still arriving
23
Grants FY2025still arriving
5
States reached
$11k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2021 to 2025.

Education$98kYouth Development$52kHousing & Shelter$33kEmployment$15kFood & Nutrition$11kCommunity Improvement$10kInternational$10kArts & Culture$9kOther$0
02FY2025 · 23 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k22 grants · $50k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $11k
$2,000
Median grant
5
States reached
$726k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB - KING COUNTY$10,500
WHITMAN COLLEGE$5,000
LOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE$5,000
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY$5,000
LEWISTON INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION$5,000
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN$3,000
PBS FOUNDATION$3,000
Individual grant recipient$3,000
BELLARMINE PREPARATORY ACADEMY$2,000
WELLSPRING FAMILY SERVICES$2,000
UPLIFT NORTHWEST$2,000
HARVEST AGAINST HUNGER$2,000
MARY'S PLACE$2,000
METHOW CONSERVANCY$2,000
SALVATION ARMY$1,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY21–25, $52k) land where the poverty rate runs at 9%, against an area that typically sits at 8%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 8%LEWISTON INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION: $5k → 11%LEWISTON INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION: $5k → 11%LEWISTON INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION: $5k → 11%LEWISTON INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION: $5k → 11%WELLSPRING FAMILY SERVICES: $5k → 9%WELLSPRING FAMILY SERVICES: $5k → 9%WELLSPRING FAMILY SERVICES: $2k → 9%WELLSPRING FAMILY SERVICES: $2k → 9%UPLIFT NORTHWEST: $2k → 9%MILLIONAIR CLUB: $2k → 9%UPLIFT NORTHWEST: $2k → 9%UPLIFT NORTHWEST: $2k → 9%UPLIFT NORTHWEST: $2k → 9%SOUND GENERATIONS: $2k → 9%SOUND GENERATIONS: $2k → 9%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $3k → 9%ASIAN COUNSELING & REFERRAL SERVICE: $1k → 9%HOPELINK: $2k → 9%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

93%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$252k · 22 repeat orgs$18k to everyone else

22 repeat relationships: 19 still active in FY2025, 3 since wound down; 3 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

22
11

Total granted

$252k
$13k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+21%
+22%

Still filing today

73%
73%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 92% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $5k went to new ones.

50%100%’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesEducationCommunity ImprovementYouth DevelopmentInternationalArts & CultureOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • CORPORATION OF GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
    5× · 2021–2025 · $25k · revenue +40%
  • BO
    BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WHITMAN COLLEGE
    5× · 2021–2025 · $25k · revenue +63%
  • LI
    LEWISTON INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION INC
    4× · 2022–2025 · $20k · revenue +10%

Funded once

  • AN
    American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches
    one grant, 2023 · $3k · revenue +22%
  • Feeding America
    one grant, 2021 · $2k · revenue +23%
  • H
    HOPELINKgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $2k · revenue +30%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Association of Washington Cities

The association of washington cities builds connections between our state's diverse cities and towns, while providing our members with the support needed to thrive through delivery of data-driven education, nationally recognized pooling…

—
2
Npr Foundation

The npr foundation ("foundation") is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of its sole supported organization, national public radio, inc. ("npr inc."). the foundation supports npr inc. through various activities such as…

—
3
Humanities Washington

Humanities washington (hw) opens minds and bridges divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. we envision a state where all people seek a deeper understanding of others, themselves, and the human experience, in order to…

Arts & Culture
4
Seattle Foundation

Seattle foundation's mission is to ignite powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make greater seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

Philanthropy
5
The Water Research Foundation

The purpose of the water research foundation (wrf) is a definitive research organization to advance the science of all things water to better meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. to engage exclusively in…

Environment
6
The Humane Society for Seattleking County

Seattle humane promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need, regardless of age, ability, circumstance or geography.

Animals
7
Western Healthconnect

Support significant improvements in health care delivery and outcomes within the context of nonprofit, charitable ownership.

Health
8
American Gas Association

American gas association's (the association) mission is to develop and advocate for informed, innovative, and durable policy that fulfills our nation's energy needs, environmental aspirations and economic potential. we are committed to…

—
9
Kqed Inc

See schedule okqed serves the people of northern california with a community-supported alternative to commercial media, providing the knowledge needed to make informed decisions; convening community dialogue; bringing the arts to everyone;…

Arts & Culture
10
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

To effectively and efficiently mitigate risks to the reliability and security of the western interconnection's bulk power system.

Public Benefit
11
Healthpoint

Healthpoint strengthens communities and improves people's health by delivering quality services, breaking down barriers and providing access to all.

Health
12
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits institutions of higher education by applying evidence-informed standards and processes to support continuous improvements and promote equitable student achievement and success.

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Hawaii Community Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Maris Place. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

28 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 28 of the 38 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
3
Early backer (in before they grew)
28/28
Grantees still filing
18/28
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB - KING COUNTY: $51,500 · OtherBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB - KING COUNTYLOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE: $19,000 · OtherLOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTEBELLARMINE PREPARATORY ACADEMY: $10,000 · OtherBELLARMINE PREPARATORY ACADEMYHARVEST AGAINST HUNGER: $9,000 · OtherHARVEST AGAINST HUNGERROTARY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION: $7,000 · OtherROTARY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATIONCENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: $6,000 · OtherAGC OF WASHINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $5,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipient: $4,500 · Other+10 more: $13,250 · Other+10 moreCORPORATION OF GONZAGA UNIVERSITY: $25,000 · EducationCORPORATION OF GONZAGA U…BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WHITMAN COLLEGE: $25,000 · EducationBOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WHI…UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION: $7,500 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON…THINK TOGETHER: $2,000 · EducationLEWISTON INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION INC: $20,000 · Human ServicesLEWISTON INDEPENDENT …WELLSPRING FAMILY SERVICES: $14,000 · Human ServicesWELLSPRING FAMILY SER…UPLIFT NORTHWEST: $10,000 · Human ServicesUPLIFT NORTHWESTSOUND GENERATIONS: $3,000 · Human ServicesSOUND GENERATIONSAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $2,500 · Human Services+2 more: $2,500 · Human ServicesMETHOW CONSERVANCY: $9,000 · Youth DevelopmentMaris Place: $5,000 · Youth DevelopmentSEATTLE ROTARY SERVICE FOUNDATION: $9,500 · Community ImprovementPIKE PLACE MARKET FOUNDATION: $500 · Community ImprovementWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $6,000 · InternationalPEACETREES VIETNAM: $2,500 · InternationalDESERT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $4,000 · PhilanthropyHAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $2,500 · PhilanthropyGROW: $1,000 · Philanthropy
Other$125,250Education$59,500Human Services$52,000Youth Development$14,000Community Improvement$10,000International$8,500Philanthropy$7,500

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetCORPORATION OF GONZAGA UNIVERSITY: $25,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetBOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WHITMAN COLLEGE: $25,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetLEWISTON INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION INC: $20,000 over 4y, 1.2% of budgetLOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE: $19,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetWELLSPRING FAMILY SERVICES: $14,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetUPLIFT NORTHWEST: $10,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetSEATTLE ROTARY SERVICE FOUNDATION: $9,500 over 5y, 0.4% of budgetMETHOW CONSERVANCY: $9,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetHARVEST AGAINST HUNGER: $9,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION: $7,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $6,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAGC OF WASHINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetMaris Place: $5,000 over 3y, 0.5% of budgetDESERT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $4,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetPBS FOUNDATION: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSOUND GENERATIONS: $3,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPEACETREES VIETNAM: $2,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetFeeding America: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHINK TOGETHER: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHOPELINK: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGROW: $1,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetNATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetASIAN COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLEARNING LAB INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPIKE PLACE MARKET FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPENINSULA HAWKS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $500 over 1y, 0.1% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Seattle FoundationReal Progress Foundat…Lucky Seven FoundationThe Norcliffe Foundat…ImpactassetsincSellen Community Foun…The Bullitt FoundationMoccasin Lake Foundat…Washington Federal Fo…Liberty Mutual Founda…United Way of King Co…Puget Sound Energy Fo…
Seattle FoundationWA22.1× affinity9 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Seattle Foundation · Real Progress Foundation · Lucky Seven Foundation · The Norcliffe Foundation · Impactassetsinc · Sellen Community Foundation · The Bullitt Foundation · Moccasin Lake Foundation · Washington Federal Foundation · Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc · United Way of King County · Puget Sound Energy Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Frederick Stearns Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Frederick Stearns Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Frederick Stearns Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Frederick Stearns Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 38 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Frederick Stearns’ filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home