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Welfund Inc at a glance

· Private foundation

Welfund Inc

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$97k
Granted FY2025still arriving
12
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$50k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Public Safety & Disaster$222kArts & Culture$206kRecreation & Sports$66kEnvironment$56kHealth$54kEducation$36kYouth Development$35kEmployment$30kOther$0
02FY2025 · 12 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k10 grants · $37k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $10k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $50k
$5,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$970k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
NW SCHOOL OF WOODEN BOAT BU$50,000
URBAN ART WORKS$10,000
LEAVENWORTH SKI HILL HERITAGE FND$6,300
WENATCHEE RIVER INSTITUTE$5,000
GRUNEWALD GUILD$5,000
RED & BLUE FOUNDATION$5,000
CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY$5,000
TEEN & KID CLOSET$5,000
CHELAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT$2,000
CASCADE PUBLIC MEDIA$1,200
CHRIS CRAFT ANTIQUE BOAT CLUB$1,000
WSU$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 (FY17–22, $9k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, 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%LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND: $5k → 10%WELLSPRINGS WOMEN CENTER: $3k → 12%GIVE POWER FOUNDATION: $500 → 10%LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND: $1k → 10%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.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
ID
MI
NY
OR
WY
CA
UT
SC
TX
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.

82%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$606k · 13 repeat orgs$137k to everyone else

13 repeat relationships: 5 still active in FY2025, 8 since wound down; 7 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

13
19

Total granted

$606k
$117k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+15%
+20%

Still filing today

69%
47%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 79% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $20k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureHealthHuman ServicesAnimalsRecreation & SportsEducationOther
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

  • NS
    Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
    4× · 2017–2025 · $117k · revenue +82%
  • WR
    WENATCHEE RIVER INSTITUTE
    5× · 2017–2025 · $35k · revenue +179%
  • UA
    URBAN ARTWORKS
    3× · 2022–2025 · $24k · revenue +15%

Funded once

  • BB
    BIG BROTHERS PUGET SOUND
    one grant, 2022 · $25k
  • TS
    THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM SOCIETY
    one grant, 2022 · $15k · revenue +20%
  • LS
    LEAVENWORTH SKI HILL HERITAGE
    one grant, 2019 · $10k
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
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
2
Whatcom Land Trust

The mission of the Whatcom Land Trust is to preserve and protect wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands in Whatcom County for future generations by securing interests in land and promoting land stewardship.

Environment
3
Long Live the Kings

Our mission is to restore wild salmon and steelhead & support sustainable fishing in the pacific northwest.

Animals
4
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…

—
5
Willamette Riverkeeper

Willamette riverkeeper's guiding principle is: "we believe a river with excellent water quality, abundant natural habitat, safe for fishing and recreation is a basic public right." for 27 years, willamette riverkeeper (wrk) has acted as…

Environment
6
Western Rivers Conservancy

Western rivers conservancy's mission is to protect outstanding river ecosystems in the western united states. continued on schedule o.we acquire land to conserve critical habitat, provide public access for compatible use and enjoyment, and…

Environment
7
Washington Trails Association

Washington trails association is on a mission to connect everyone to the outdoors and build a community that gives back to trails and public lands.

—
8
Western University of Health Sciences

To produce, in a humanistic tradition, health care professionals and biomedical knowledge that will enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities.

—
9
Life Science Washington

Life science washington is a non-profit trade and professional association dedicated to promoting innovation and responsible growth in the life sciences and biomedical industries in the state of washington. promotion and education are…

—
10
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
11
Center for Wooden Boats

The Center for Wooden Boats promotes Northwest Maritime Heritage through education, interpretation and hands-on experience in building, maintaining and using historic small craft.

Recreation & Sports
12
Friends of Kexp

Kexp's mission is to enrich your life by championing music and discovery.

Youth Development
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired; the most unlike its peers is Blood Cancer United Inc. 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

22 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. 22 of the 39 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)
6
Early backer (in before they grew)
22/22
Grantees still filing
14/22
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

CHELAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 3: $215,000 · OtherCHELAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 3ICICLE CREEK CENTER FOR ARTS: $53,500 · OtherICICLE CREEK CENTER FOR ARTSLEAVENWORTH SKI HILL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $45,300 · OtherLEAVENWORTH SKI HILL HERITAGE FOUNDATIONBIG BROTHERS PUGET SOUND: $25,000 · OtherBIG BROTHERS PUGET SOUNDTHE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND INC: $22,500 · Other+17 more: $69,800 · Other+17 moreNorthwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding: $116,500 · Arts & CultureNorthwest School of Woo…WENATCHEE RIVER INSTITUTE: $35,000 · Arts & CultureWENATCHEE RIVER INSTITU…+2 more: $4,700 · Arts & CultureCASCADE MEDICAL FOUNDATION: $28,000 · HealthSt Charles Foundation Inc: $10,000 · HealthCONFLUENCE HEALTH FOUNDATION: $5,000 · HealthBLOOD CANCER UNITED INC: $3,500 · HealthCHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY NORTHWEST: $23,500 · AnimalsTHE SEATTLE AQUARIUM SOCIETY: $15,000 · AnimalsWENATCHEE VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY INC: $2,500 · AnimalsWESTMINSTER UNIVERSITY: $30,000 · EducationTeen Closet: $5,000 · EducationURBAN ARTWORKS: $24,000 · PhilanthropyLIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED: $6,000 · Human ServicesWELLSPRING WOMEN'S CENTER: $2,500 · Human ServicesGIVEPOWER FOUNDATION: $500 · Human Services
Other$431,100Arts & Culture$156,200Health$46,500Animals$41,000Education$35,000Philanthropy$24,000Human Services$9,000

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 budgetNorthwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding: $116,500 over 4y, 1.8% of budgetWENATCHEE RIVER INSTITUTE: $35,000 over 5y, 1.2% of budgetWESTMINSTER UNIVERSITY: $30,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCASCADE MEDICAL FOUNDATION: $28,000 over 3y, 9.4% of budgetURBAN ARTWORKS: $24,000 over 3y, 1.0% of budgetCHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY NORTHWEST: $23,500 over 5y, 0.5% of budgetTHE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND INC: $22,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SEATTLE AQUARIUM SOCIETY: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSt Charles Foundation Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetLIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED: $6,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCONFLUENCE HEALTH FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTeen Closet: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetWHIDBEY CAMANO LAND TRUST: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetJackson Hole Public Art: $3,500 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetBLOOD CANCER UNITED INC: $3,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWENATCHEE VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWELLSPRING WOMEN'S CENTER: $2,500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCASCADE PUBLIC MEDIA: $1,200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSAN FRANCISCO PARKS ALLIANCE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGIVEPOWER FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% 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 FoundationCommunity Foundation …M J Murdock Charitabl…Lucky Seven FoundationThe Norcliffe Foundat…Mightycause Charitabl…Vanguard Charitable E…National Philanthropi…Donor Advised Charita…Morgan Stanley Global…American Online Givin…Fidelity Investments …
Seattle FoundationWA17.9× affinity7 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Seattle Foundation · Community Foundation of Ncw · M J Murdock Charitable Trust · Lucky Seven Foundation · The Norcliffe Foundation · Mightycause Charitable Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · National Philanthropic Trust · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

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 Welfund Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Welfund Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%13%25%38%50%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    1get no government money at all
    6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–50%
    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 Welfund Inc?

    Find your warmest path to Welfund Inc 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 39 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 Welfund’s 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