Brotman Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Brotman Family Foundation’s grantmaking primarily funds Seattle area organizations, including in medicine, arts and culture, and Jewish causes.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.

PROFILE: Established in 2001, the Brotman Family Foundation was established by the late co-founder at chairman of Costco Jeffrey H. Brotman and his wife Susan, a former Nordstrom executive. The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Brotman Family Foundation’s grantmaking primarily funds Seattle area organizations, including in medicine, arts and culture, and Jewish causes.

Jeffrey and Susan Brotman, along with Pam and Dan Baty made a $50 million gift to create the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine that combines the research strengths and capabilities of UW Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Children’s. In the 1990s, the late couple established the Brotman Family Fund at Seattle Foundation, complementing their private foundation. Susan chaired the board of directors of both Pacific Northwest Ballet and the University of Washington Foundation. McCaw Hall, meanwhile, is home to Susan Brotman Auditorium.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $5,000 to $375,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away $775,000. Past grantees include United Way, Seattle Art Museum, Childhaven, and Temple Beth-El, of which Jeffrey, born into a Jewish family, was a member.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Brotman Family Foundation
999 Lake Drive, Suite 300
Issaquah, WA 98027