Teel Charitable Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Teel Charitable Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to educational and religious causes.

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

PROFILE: Established in 1979, the Teel Charitable Foundation was founded by the late Jerry Teel and family. Jerry headed Vitamilk Dairy Inc., a family business. The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Teel Charitable Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to educational and religious causes.

The late Jerry Teel graduated from Seattle Pacific University, a Christian institution, and was a longtime benefactor of the school with his wife Kathi. The Teels launched the E. Gerald and Katherine Teel School of Business and Economics Scholarship Endowment. And through the years, the Teels provided thousands of scholarships to Seattle Pacific students. Additionally, Jerry was a trustee of Seattle’s First Free Methodist Church, and for more than a half-century, he and Kathi were active participants and leaders of the Samaritan Sunday school class at First Free.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $2,000 to around $165,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away approximately $298,000. Past grantees include College Access Now, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Nooksack Valley High School, Young Life, Youth for Christ and First Free Methodist Church.

While the foundation keeps a low profile, it is open to contact. There are no submission deadlines. Letters should be sent to Brian Ficken, Seattle Pacific Foundation director.

PEOPLE:

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

CONTACT:

Brian Ficken, Seattle Pacific Foundation
3307 Third Avenue West, Suite 305
Seattle, WA 98119