Runstad Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Runstad Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education and youth and health and human services. It also earmarks funds for causes like the environment and arts and culture.
IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.
PROFILE: The Runstad Foundation was founded in 1999 by real estate mogul Jon Runstad and his wife Judy, a prominent land use attorney. H. Jon Runstad graduated with a B.A. in economics and a B.S. in building construction from the University of Washington and an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He served as Building Economist of the Ministry of Public Building Works in London and project manager of developing properties with Cabot, Cabot & Forbes in Boston. He cofounded Wright Runstad & Company in 1972 and his been in the real estate business for over four decades.
The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax records, the Runstad Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education and youth and health and human services. It also earmarks funds for causes like the environment and arts and culture.
Grants for K-12 Education, Higher Ed
Runstad was once president of the board of regents of University of Washington, home of the Runstad Department of Real Estate. Other grants have gone to the University of Washington Law School Foundation (Judy received her J.D. from UW), Harvard Business School, and the University of Idaho Foundation, which is Judy’s alma mater. The Runstads support Year Up Puget Sound Region, where Judy sits on the board. Other grantees have included YMCA of Greater Seattle, Hamlin Robinson School, Shawnigan Lake School in British Columbia and Stand for Children Washington.
Grants for Health and Community Development
Runstad has been a trustee of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, which the family supports. Other grantees have included United Way of King County, Anxiety and Depression Association, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and Childhaven of Seattle.
Grants for the Arts, Environment
The family also earmark funds for other causes including towards arts and culture and the environment. Grantees have included Seattle Parks Foundation, Seattle Art Museum, the Nature Conservancy and Stewardship Partners, which “creates people-based solutions that engage Puget Sound communities as caretakers of the land and water that sustain us.”
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $500 to $181,500. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $410,000. Past grantees include Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, United Way of King County, San Juan Preservation Trust, YMCA of Greater Seattle, Hamlin Robinson School, Seattle Parks Foundation, and Seattle Art Museum.
The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Runstad Foundation
1201 3rd Avenue, No 2700
Seattle, WA 98101
