The Maritz Family Foundation makes a small number of large, general‑purpose grants focused primarily on higher education in its home state and international conservation. The vast majority of funding goes to the University of Washington Foundation for unrestricted support, with a smaller but significant gift to African Parks for protected-area conservation work in Africa.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, relatively large grants; repeat support to a single flagship grantee (University of Washington) plus occasional sizable gifts to distinctive nonprofit causes abroad.
Notable grantees: University of Washington Foundation, African Parks Foundation of America
Maritz Family Foundation’s giving is dominated by unrestricted support to the University of Washington, with multiple large general-operations grants across 2023 and 2024. That pattern makes the foundation read less like a broad grantmaker and more like a focused funder of institutional strength, especially in Washington higher education. Its recent record also includes a separate line of support for African Parks, linking the foundation’s portfolio to international protected-area conservation. Beyond those anchor gifts, the foundation has backed a small set of Seattle-based organizations working on perinatal services, immigrant rights, family support, and child care, usually through general operating support. The grant list shows a consistent preference for flexible funding rather than project-restricted awards, with the University of Washington Foundation receiving the largest single grant in the file and additional support flowing to the university itself. In practice, this is a foundation that concentrates on organizations it appears to know well and funds them with sizable, unrestricted checks.
Higher education is central to the foundation’s giving. It awarded $152,500 to the University of Washington in 2024 for general operations, alongside a separate $1,000,000 grant to the University of Washington Foundation for general operations. That combination points to sustained institutional support in Washington. The foundation also funds international conservation: African Parks Foundation of America received $218,200 in 2024 to help fund general operations. In the social-service space, Open Arms Perinatal Services received $150,000 in 2024 for general operations, and Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services received $90,100 for the same purpose. These grants show attention to organizations providing direct community services as well as higher education and conservation infrastructure.
The foundation’s typical grant size sits at $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating a mix of modest awards and larger institutional gifts. The recent list also shows repeated support to the same recipients across years, including the University of Washington Foundation, University of Washington, Open Arms Perinatal Services, Charter for Compassion, and United World College - USA. All of the listed awards are for general operating support, and the foundation does not make program-related investments. Its grantmaking appears to come from a private family foundation structure, and the available record shows no individual giving.
$2.1M
$4.4M
$213K
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $3K and $75K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$75K
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Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Washington, with 68% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and Seattle appearing repeatedly in the recent list. Seattle-based recipients include the University of Washington Foundation, University of Washington, Open Arms Perinatal Services, Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services, Seattle Foundation, and Jewish Family Services. Outside Washington, the foundation has funded organizations in Washington, DC; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; and Montezuma, NM. The recipient country distribution is entirely US-based in the file.
Its recent grants are led by unrestricted support for higher education, especially the University of Washington and the University of Washington Foundation. The foundation also supports international conservation through African Parks and funds several Seattle-based community organizations with general operating support.
The grant-size distribution is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile. That indicates the foundation gives a mix of smaller awards and substantially larger institutional grants.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat support to the University of Washington Foundation, University of Washington, Open Arms Perinatal Services, Charter for Compassion, and United World College - USA across 2023 and 2024.
Washington is the top state by grant count, and 68% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Seattle is the most visible city in the recent grants list, with multiple recipient organizations based there.
The recent grants are all described as general operating support or help to fund general operations. The foundation does not make program-related investments and does not fund individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $600,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ERIKSON INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $378,615 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WORLD COLLEGE - USA | MONTEZUMA, NM | $333,333 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPEN ARMS PERINATAL SERVICES | SEATTLE, WA | $168,978 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SEATTLE FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $157,500 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PROGRAM FOR EARLY PARENT SUPPORT | SEATTLE, WA | $86,596 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GRAMEEN FOUNDATION USA | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE NEW ISRAEL FUND | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $60,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PANORAMA GLOBAL | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MOMSRISING EDUCATION FUND | BELLEVUE, WA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BRIGHTSPARK EARLY LEARNING SERVICES | RENTON, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SHALOM HARTMAN INSTITUTE OF NORTH AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHARTER FOR COMPASSION | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF REICHMAN UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PERINATAL SUPPORT WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF GIVAT HAVIVA | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AFTON BLOOM GROUP | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DENISE LOUIE EDUCATION CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $1,330,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WORLD COLLEGE - USA | MONTEZUMA, NM | $333,333 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ERIKSON INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $319,482 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPEN ARMS PERINATAL SERVICES | SEATTLE, WA | $160,265 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PROGRAM FOR EARLY PARENT SUPPORT | SEATTLE, WA | $70,725 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF IDC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE NEW ISRAEL FUND | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | ORLANDO, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MOMSRISING EDUCATION FUND | BELLEVUE, WA | $35,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHARTER FOR COMPASSION | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF GIVAT HAVIVA | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PLYMOUTH HOUSING GROUP | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EDENTIA INC | LAKE ELSINORE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| T'RUAH | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PCECN DIAPER BANK | TACOMA, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BRIGHTSPARK EARLY LEARNING SERVICES | RENTON, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PERINATAL SUPPORT WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NORTHWEST HARVEST | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FOOD LIFELINE | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHILD CARE AWARE OF WASHINGTON | TACOMA, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AFRICAN PARKS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $218,200 | 2024 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $152,500 | 2024 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPEN ARMS PERINATAL SERVICES | SEATTLE, WA | $150,000 | 2024 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ZERO TO THREE | WASHINGTON, DC | $135,000 | 2024 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HUMMINGBIRD INDIGENOUS FAMILY SERVICES | SEATTLE, WA | $90,100 | 2024 | TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE NEW ISRAEL FUND
$60,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
CHARTER FOR COMPASSION
$20,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
AFTON BLOOM GROUP
$10,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNITED WORLD COLLEGE - USA
$333,333TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF IDC
$50,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE NEW ISRAEL FUND
$50,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
CHARTER FOR COMPASSION
$25,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
PLYMOUTH HOUSING GROUP
$10,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
EDENTIA INC
$10,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
T'RUAH
$5,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
PCECN DIAPER BANK
$2,500TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
NORTHWEST HARVEST
$2,500TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
CHILD CARE AWARE OF WASHINGTON
$2,500TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$152,500TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
ZERO TO THREE
$135,000TO HELP FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS