Grant and Dorrit Saviers Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Grant and Dorrit Saviers Foundation primarily supports grantmaking related to educational causes and the arts.

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

This funder’s civic funding invests in hard right causes, so progressive grantees should take note.

PROFILE: The Grant and Dorrit Saviers Foundation was founded in 1999 by tech mogul Grant Saviers and wife Dorrit, who was once a project manager for Cisco.

Grant Saviers graduated with his B.S. and M.S. from Case Western Reserve University. He was with Digital Equipment Corporation from 1968 to 1992, where he built the Storage Systems organization and was later vice president of PC Systems and Peripherals. He joined Adaptec as COO, eventually retiring as CEO and chairman. Since leaving Adaptec he has been a director and angel investor in several startups.

The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax records, the Grant and Dorrit Saviers Foundation primarily supports grantmaking related to educational causes and the arts.

Grants for the Arts and K-12 Education

This family foundation focuses on supporting organizations and schools with which it is either affiliated or with which it likes to see itself reflected in the community.

The two support their schools Case Western, Boston University, Mt. Holyoke College and Northfield Mt. Hermon School.

Grant is on the board of the Computer History Museum. The family is also heavily involved with the Seattle Symphony.

Grants for Democracy and Policy

Grantees have included Cato Institute, Institute for Justice, Judicial Watch, and Pacific Legal Foundation.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $500 to approximately $66,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $145,000. Past grantees include Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Earshot Jazz and Seattle Public Library Foundation.

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

PEOPLE:

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

CONTACT:

Grant and Dorrit Savers Foundation
1920 4th Avenue, Unit 2703
Seattle, WA 98101