Bates Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Bates Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education and arts and culture.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. This is not an accessible funder, making it a tough nut to crack. It also appears to prioritize funding larger institutions, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Reach out to them to learn more about their proactive funding approach and how your work might align.

PROFILE: Established in 1999, the Bates Family Foundation is steered by Rex W. Bates, a veteran of State Farm Insurance. The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Bates Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education and arts and culture.

Rex worked in independent education as a history teacher, dorm parent and coach at Shattuck St. Mary's School. After some three decades in insurance, he returned to education and serves as Director of Business Development at Annie Wright Schools, which the family supports generously through their foundation. Education is a strong interest of this funder, particularly secondary schools. Meanwhile, UW Medicine houses the Bates Family‘s Paul G. Ramsey M.D. Endowed Scholarship in Medicine.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $2,500 to $590,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $1.9 million. Past grantees include 5th Avenue Theater, College Success Foundation, Mary Bridge Hospital, Port Angeles Symphony, Seattle Pacific University, Glass Museum of Tacoma, and Whitman College.

The foundation keeps a low profile but is open to contact. Grant seekers should begin with a letter of introduction to see if there is a mutual fit.

PEOPLE:

Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

CONTACT:

Bates Family Foundation
P.O. Box 6861
Tacoma, WA 98417