Kismet 805 Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Kismet 805 Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, health, the environment and Jewish causes.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. This is a tough nut to crack. Note that this funder generally supports larger, established organizations rather than grassroots efforts.

PROFILE: The Kismet 805 Foundation was founded in 2002 by Microsoft veteran Brad Silverberg and his wife Janice. Brad Silverberg graduated with a bachelor’s in computer science from Brown University in 1976 and a master’s in computer science from the University of Toronto in 1977. During his nine-year tenure at Microsoft, he was a senior vice president and member of Microsoft’s nine-member Executive Committee. He was responsible for driving all aspects of the Windows business during the early 1990s. Silverberg is a founding partner of Ignition, investing in software, infrastructure, and consumer companies.

The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax records, the Kismet 805 Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, health, the environment and Jewish causes.

Grants for Education

The Silverbergs support University of Washington, including its new Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering. The couple are part of a group who call themselves “Friends of Bill & Melinda” which has collectively donated more than $30 million toward the $110 million building project. Other grantees have included Brown University, Claremont McKenna College, KIPP, USC, Seattle Academy, College Success Foundation, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Grants for the Environment

Support has gone to Environmental Defense Center, Washington Trails Association, Seattle Science Foundation, Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center, and Grand Teton National Park.

Grants for Health

Grantees have included Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Preeclampsia Foundation.

Grants for Jewish Causes

Grantees have included Jewish Day School, Jewish Family Service, Hillel, and Temple Tifereth Israel.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $1,000 to $50,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away $299,800. Past grantees include Seattle Academy, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Swedish Medical Center, Washington Trails Association and Jewish Day School.

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

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Kismet 805 Foundation
PO Box 3831
Bellevue, WA 98009