Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation supports nature preservation, wildlife restoration and cultural heritage in Washington and Alaska.

IP TAKE: This family foundation usually supports the same grantees year after year; Ferguson is particularly good to know for environmental preservation and Native American organizations.

PROFILE: Established in 1987, the Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation is a family foundation based in Seattle, Washington. Hugh Ferguson was a Seattle native and founded the Ferguson Construction Company, which specialized in commercial construction, shopping centers, industrial parks and warehouses in the Northwest. He and his wife, Jane, were engaged in local civic life and had a daughter, Ellen, who is a current foundation trustee. The Ferguson Foundation funds local efforts for nature preservation, wildlife restoration and cultural heritage.

The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation maintains very specific interests in its regions of focus. Hugh Ferguson was an adventurer, nature lover and committed to the Northwest. He was involved with local museums, participated in adventure travel and was a member of local organizations. This spirit is reelected in the Ferguson Foundation’s giving strategy through its support for community-based projects to restore habitats and wildlife and coalition-building projects between organizations. Other interests of the foundation are the cultural and natural history of the Puget Sound area, Native American projects for cultural preservation and the work of marginalized communities. However, the foundation does not support research or academic studies or overhead costs.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range between about $2,500 and $10,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Washington and Alaska. Past local grantees include the Cascade Forest Conservancy, Burke Museum and Dungeness River Audubon Center.

This foundation accepts letters of inquiry from nonprofits that have previously received its support. Prior grantees should send a brief email to the foundation to describe the project in a “short pitch” format. These email summaries are due January 15 and July 15. The foundation invites selected inquirers to submit full proposals by February 28 and August 28. Direct general questions to the staff at OgleFounds@aol.com or 206-781-3472.

PEOPLE:

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