The Firstenburg Foundation
Vancouver, WA · EIN 68-0525464. Reported 254 grants totalling $6,187,239 to 177 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Firstenburg Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $15,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $7,500 and $40,000; the smallest was $50 and the largest $215,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialized Housing Inc | Beaverton, OR | $215,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Clark County Food Bank | Vancouver, WA | $155,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Evergreen Habitat for Humanity | Vancouver, WA | $150,500 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Childrens Center | Vancouver, WA | $150,000 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| De La Salle Catholic North High School | Portland, OR | $125,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Vancouver Housing Authority | Vancouver, WA | $123,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Northwest Association for Blind Athletes | Vancouver, WA | $120,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Fish of Vancouver | Vancouver, WA | $111,300 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Battle Ground Health Care | Battle Ground, WA | $107,500 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation | Vancouver, WA | $105,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Sw Washington | Vancouver, WA | $103,400 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Council for the Homeless | Vancouver, WA | $100,050 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Bridgeview Housing | Vancouver, WA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Community House on Broadway | Longview, WA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools | Vancouver, WA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Friends of the Children- Sw Washington | Vancouver, WA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Skyline Hospital Foundation | White Salmon, WA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Share Inc | Vancouver, WA | $91,374 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Lifeline Connections | Vancouver, WA | $91,200 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Pink Lemonade Project | Vancouver, WA | $87,600 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| Community Roots Collaborative | Vancouver, WA | $85,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Lutheran Community Services Northwest | Mcminnville, OR | $85,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Cowlitz Family Health Center | Longview, WA | $80,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Fourth Plain Forward | Vancouver, WA | $80,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Second Step Housing | Vancouver, WA | $80,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Columbia River Mental Health Services | Vancouver, WA | $75,020 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Harpers Playground | Portland, OR | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Medical Teams International | Portland, OR | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Providence Childrens Health Foundation | Portland, OR | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sacred Earth Foundation | Goldendale, WA | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Family Promise of Clark County | Vancouver, WA | $68,225 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Free Clinic of Southwest Washington | Vancouver, WA | $67,500 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Washington Gorge Action Programs | Cook, WA | $65,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Lelooska Foundation | Ariel, WA | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Police Activities League of Sw Washington | Vancouver, WA | $56,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Open House Ministries | Vancouver, WA | $55,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| YWCA Clark County | Vancouver, WA | $52,750 | 3 | 1 | 2023 |
| Battle Ground Healthcare | Battle Ground, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Sw Washington | Vancouver, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Clark College Foundation | Vancouver, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Clark County Veterans Assistance Center | Vancouver, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cultureseed | White Salmon, WA | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Financial Beginnings Washington | Tukwila, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friends of the Children-Portland | Portland, OR | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Greater Than | Portland, OR | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Impact Nw | Portland, OR | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Janus Youth Programs | Portland, OR | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Junior Achievement of Oregon & Sw Washington | Portland, OR | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Lower Columbia College Foundation | Longview, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Meals on Wheels People Inc | Portland, OR | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Oregon Museum of Science and Industry | Portland, OR | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Outsiders Inn | Vancouver, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Rocksolid Community Teen Center | Bush Prairie, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Stevenson Community Pool District | Stevenson, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Salvation Army | Vancouver, WA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Watershed Alliance of Southwest Washington | Vancouver, WA | $41,003 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cascade AIDS Project | Vancouver, WA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nw Furniture Bank | Vancouver, WA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Fosterful | Vancouver, WA | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Girls Inc of the Pacific Northwest | Portland, OR | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Pax Learning Center | Vancouver, WA | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Reach Community Development | Portland, OR | $30,800 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Columbia River Mental Health | Vancouver, WA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Friends of Hospice Sw Washington | Vancouver, WA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Lift Urban Portland | Portland, OR | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Childrens Discovery Museum | Eugene, OR | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Vietnamese Community of Clark County | Vancouver, WA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Washington Autism Alliance | Kirkland, WA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Vancouver Symphony Orchestra | Vancouver, WA | $27,750 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Childrens Home Society of Washington | Vancouver, WA | $25,206 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| American Red Cross Cascades Division | Bend, OR | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Arthur D Curtis Childrens Justice Center | Vancouver, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Birch Community Services | Portland, OR | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Bradley Angle | Portland, OR | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Childrens Cancer Association | Portland, OR | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Emergency Support Shelter | Longview, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Friends of the Carpenter | Vancouver, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Greater Vancouver | Vancouver, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hello Life Eating Disorder Recovery Services | Longview, WA | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Housing Opportunities of Sw Washington | Longview, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Innovative Services Nw | Vancouver, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lower Columbia School Gardens | Longview, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Odyssey World International Education Services | Vancouver, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Rooted School Vancouver | Vancouver, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Vancouver St Vincent De Paul Society Conference | Vancouver, WA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Komak | Beaverton, OR | $23,200 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Community Warehouse | Portland, OR | $21,527 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| A Caring Closet | Vancouver, WA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| College Possible | Portland, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dental Foundation of Oregon | Willsonville, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Family Promise of Cowlitz County | Kelso, WA | $20,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Galia Recovery Homes | Portland, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Human Solutions | Portland, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Neighbors Helping Neighbors | Ridgefield, WA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Sparrows Clubs USA | Bend, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Young Audiences of Oregon & Southwest Washington | Portland, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Great Life Mentoring | Vancouver, WA | $16,578 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Smart Reading | Portland, OR | $16,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Bridge Meadows | Portland, OR | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Celebrate Life International Dba Teach One to Lead One | Vancouver, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Chess for Success | Portland, OR | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Humane Society for Southwest Washington | Vancouver, WA | $15,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lions Sight Foundation of Clark County | Vancouver, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Office Moms and Dads | Vancouver, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Saturday Academy | Portland, OR | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Skyview Boosters Club | Vancouver, WA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Foundation Wa | Vancouver, WA | $15,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vancouver Firefighters Community Assistance Fund | Vancouver, WA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Nautical Safety Foundation | Portland, OR | $11,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Als Association of Oregon and Sw Washington | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ashby Family Lead & Engagement Services | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Battle Ground Adventist Community Services | Battle Ground, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Bethany Lutheran Church | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bravo Youth Orchestra | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Childrens Justice & Advocacy Center | Longview, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Clark County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue Team | Ridgefield, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cloth and Foster | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cowlitz Community Network | Kelso, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Dovelewis Emergency Animal Hospital | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Family Promise of Cowlitz | Kelso, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Fish of Cowlitz County | Longview, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Friends of Vancouver Lake | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Incight | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lewis River Mobile Food Bank | La Center, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lewis River Rotary Foundation | Battle Ground, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Live Love Outreach | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Maryhill Museum of Art | Goldendale, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| National Womans Coalition Against Violence & Exploitation | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| National Women's Coalition Against Violence & Exploitation | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ren Locus | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Restored and Revived | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| SAIL2CHANGE | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Second Chance Companions | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Stephens Place | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Childrens Book Bank | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Vancouver Bee Project | Vancouver, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Wheel to Walk Foundation | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| White Salmon Valley Education Foundation | White Salmon, WA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Play It Forward | Encino, CA | $8,750 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Als Association of Or and Sw Wa | Portland, OR | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Edge Foundation | Seattle, WA | $7,200 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Metropolitan Youth Symphony | Portland, OR | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Police Activities League of Southwest Washington | Vancouver, WA | $6,500 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Portland Urban Debate League | Portland, OR | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Assistance League of Greater Portland | Beaverton, OR | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Assistance League of Southwest Washington | Vancouver, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland Metro | Portland, OR | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Camas High School | Camas, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cdm Caregiving Services | Vancouver, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Free Clinic of Sw Washington | Vancouver, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Friends of Trees | Portland, OR | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hough Foundation | Vancouver, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kinship House | Portland, OR | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital Foundation | Vancouver, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northwest Diamond Dawgs | Pea Ridge, AZ | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Operation Warm Inc | Chadds Ford, PA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Oregon Coast Aquarium | Newport, OR | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Park Academy | Lake Oswego, OR | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Project Linus | Belton, MO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Returning Veterans Project | Portland, OR | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Shunpike | Seattle, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Zain Justis Foundation | Camas, WA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Portland Street Medicine | Portland, OR | $4,100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Foundation for Southwest Wa | Vancouver, WA | $4,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hope for the Good | Battle Ground, WA | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hawaii Community Foundation | Kahului, HI | $3,334 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Maui Food Bank | Wailuku, HI | $3,333 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Maui Humane Society | Puunene, HI | $3,333 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Portland Piano International | Portland, OR | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Foundation for Vancouver | Vancouver, WA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Police Activity League of Vancouver | Vancouver, WA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Foundation for Sw Washington | Vancouver, WA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Salmon Creek Little League | Vancouver, WA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Special Olympics Washington | Seattle, WA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Columbia River High School Booster Club | Vancouver, WA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Santa's Posse | Vancouver, WA | $450 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lifeline Connection | Vancouver, WA | $256 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
41 of 177 (23%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 26%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Specialized Housing Inc
TO BE APPLIED TO FELIDA PARK SENIOR HOUSING - Clark County Food Bank
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE VISION CENTER WAREHOUSE - De La Salle Catholic North High School
IN SUPPORT OF BUILDING FOR TOMORROWS LEADERS PROJECT - Columbia River Mental Health Services
FUNDING FOR THE STREET MEDICINE AND CRISIS TEAM PROGRAM - Lutheran Community Services Northwest
TO SUPPORT CASE MANAGEMENT AND DIRECT NEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH AFGHAN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT - Providence Childrens Health Foundation
FUNDING TO BE APPLIED TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NINE PASSENGER SPECIALIZED VAN
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 171 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | $1,659,997 | $20,000 |
| 2022 | 61 | $1,821,236 | $25,000 |
| 2023 | 66 | $1,361,456 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 68 | $1,344,550 | $10,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
74% of its giving went to organizations in Washington. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $15,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Washington.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Firstenburg Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 1220 Main Street 203, Vancouver, WA, 98660. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 68-0525464 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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