Alta Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Alta Foundation supports children and youth, education, health and human services in Washington.

IP TAKE: This low-key funder supports the same few organizations each year and has limited transparency and accessibility for Washington grantseekers. It’s tough to crack unless you’re chosen.

PROFILE: Established in 2006, the Alta Foundation is an independent foundation based in Kingston, Washington. This is a family-run foundation without any staff members or independent contractors. Dana Sweany-Schumacher (an attorney) is the foundation president, Lisa A. Van Enkevort is the vice president and Jason M. Schumacher is the secretary/treasurer of the foundation. The foundation aims to "increase the educational opportunities and support the educational enrichment of children with special needs.” It funds local efforts for children and youth, education, health and human services.

The Alta Foundation is a low-key funder with limited grantmaking activity and transparency. It does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, past tax records indicate that this funder has very specific interests and primarily aims to serve local youth. Grants are usually for general operating support. Youth foster care, academic success of youth and increasing high school graduation rates are interests of this funder. Other interests are children’s health, cancer care and end-of-life care.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range between about $10,000 and $30,000. The foundation typically awards less than $100,000 per year. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on the state of Washington. Past local grantees include the Memorial Foundation in Yakima, Treehouse in Seattle and Home Port Learning Center in Bellingham.

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits and only funds pre-selected organizations. Direct general questions to the staff at 425-466-9072.

PEOPLE:

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