The MMS Giving Foundation concentrates its support on Seattle-area public education and cultural institutions, with a heavy emphasis on marine education and conservation as delivered through the Seattle Aquarium. Grants are targeted and sizable, typically given as unrestricted/general operating support, with a secondary interest in local performing arts and community festivals.
Highly concentrated: few, large grants with repeated funding to a single flagship grantee (Seattle Aquarium). Grants tend to be unrestricted/general operating support and focused geographically in the Seattle region.
Mms Giving Foundation shows a clear pattern of backing Seattle-area marine education at scale, with the Seattle Aquarium receiving the largest grants in the data set for the Beach Naturalist Program and the Cedar River Salmon Journey Program expansion. That marine focus sits alongside broad support for local public-serving organizations, often through general operating or unrestricted grants. The foundation’s giving also reaches arts and community life in Seattle, with support for events and organizations tied to music, performance, and festivals. The grant record points to a funder that favors established local nonprofits and community institutions. Seattle Aquarium appears repeatedly across multiple years, including a 2023 general operating grant and larger program-expansion awards in 2024 and 2025. Other recipients include Food banks, community health centers, counseling services, and arts groups, suggesting a portfolio built around civic infrastructure rather than a single issue area. The foundation’s support is concentrated in Puget Sound and is heavily weighted toward organizations in Washington. Within that local frame, it backs environmental stewardship, access to the arts, and basic community services, with marine education serving as one of the most distinctive throughlines.
In marine education and watershed outreach, Mms Giving Foundation gave $130,000 in 2025 to Seattle Aquarium for the Beach Naturalist Program and the Cedar River Salmon Journey Program expansion fund, following a $114,000 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. It also awarded $10,000 in 2025 to Sr3, linking the portfolio to salmon-related environmental work. The foundation also funds community arts and cultural access. It gave $25,000 in 2025 to Moisture Festival and $10,000 in 2025 to Northwest Folklife, both in Seattle. Health and social services form another visible thread. Grants include $15,000 to Country Doctor Community Health Centers in 2025, $15,000 to Gay City Health Project in 2025, and $19,000 to White Center Food Bank in 2025. These gifts sit within a broader local pattern that includes food access, clinic services, and community support.
Typical grant size centers on modest local awards: the 25th percentile is $1,500, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $7,000. The recent record also shows repeated support for some recipients across years, including Seattle Aquarium, Moisture Festival, Planned Parenthood, Gay City Health Project, Country Doctor Community Health Centers, West Seattle Food Bank, and Highline Food Bank. That suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. Mms Giving Foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it accepts unsolicited grants through its annual general grant programs.
$532K
$7.8M
$557K
$828K
Most grants fall between $2K and $7K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$7K
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Notable grantees: Seattle Aquarium, Moisture Festival
Giving is overwhelmingly Washington-based, with 93% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Seattle is the main recipient city, but grants also reach Burien, Renton, Bellevue, and Des Moines. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 103 grants in the United States and no non-U.S. countries in the data. The geographic pattern aligns with a Puget Sound focus rather than a broad national footprint.
Its active grant programs focus on arts, education, health and social services, and environment. The recent grants also show support for marine education, food banks, community health centers, counseling services, and local arts groups.
The typical grant size is relatively small and local: the 25th percentile is $1,500, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $7,000.
Yes. Both active general grant programs are marked as accepting unsolicited applications for charitable organizations in the Puget Sound region.
Washington is the top state by grant count, and 93% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recipient cities in the recent record cluster around Seattle and nearby King County locations such as Burien, Renton, Bellevue, and Des Moines.
Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Seattle Aquarium, Moisture Festival, Planned Parenthood, Gay City Health Project, Country Doctor Community Health Centers, West Seattle Food Bank, and Highline Food Bank. That pattern indicates recurring support for some organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Mms Giving Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing with the IRS; organization located in King County or the Puget Sound region; program or project fits within the foundation's focus areas.
Deadline: Applications should be submitted by September 30 each year.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGHLINE FOOD BANK | BURIEN, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK | SEATTLE, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | ST PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SEATTLE AQUARIUM | SEATTLE, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FARESTART | SEATTLE, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SOUND | TUKWILA, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BALLARD FOOD BANK | SEATTLE, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| JEFFERSON COUNTY FOOD BANK ASSOCIATION | PORT HADLOCK, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK | SEATTLE, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| OUTDOORS FOR ALL FOUNDATION | BELLEVUE, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VASHON MAURY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | VASHON, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GARFIELD JAZZ FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WASHINGTON SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH ALLIANCE | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SEATTLE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SEATTLE JAZZED | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE RESIDENCY | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $12,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SR3 | DES MOINES, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER | BURIEN, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| YOUTH EXPERIMENTAL TRAINING INSTITUTE | NORMANDY PARK, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ELDERWISE | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MOISTURE FESTIVAL | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EARTHCORPS | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FLYING HOUSE PRODUCTIONS | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE MOUNTAINS TO SOUND GREENWAY TRUST | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MARYS PLACE SEATTLE | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COUNTRY DOCTOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BAINBRIDGE YOUTH SERVICES | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CONSEJO COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES | RENTON, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COASTAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER | OCEAN SHORES, WA | $8,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MODE MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS | SEATTLE, WA | $8,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE WHALE TRAIL | SEATTLE, WA | $7,500 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COYOTE FOUNDATION AKA JEFFERSON TEEN CENTER | PORT HADLOCK, WA | $6,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ASSOCIATED RECREATIONAL COUNCIL | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE. |
| FAMILYWORKS | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BELLINGHAM, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | SEA DISCOVERY CENTER |
| THE IF PROJECT | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHILDREN AND YOUTH JUSTICE CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SOUTH END STORIES | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COCOON HOUSE | EVERETT, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BRIGHTSPARK EARLY LEARNING SERVICES | RENTON, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE WASHINGTON STATE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE ORGANIZATION | CAMAS, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COYOTE CENTRAL | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ISSAQUAH CULTURAL CIRCLE | ISSAQUAH, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| KEXP | SEATTLE, WA | $2,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HIGHLINE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, WA | $2,000 | 2026 | MAST CENTER |
| BELLEVUE COLLAGE FOUNDATION | BELLEVUE, WA | $2,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CLASSICAL KING | SEATTLE, WA | $2,000 | 2026 | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$20,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SEATTLE AQUARIUM
$20,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
JEFFERSON COUNTY FOOD BANK ASSOCIATION
$20,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK
$20,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GARFIELD JAZZ FOUNDATION
$15,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WASHINGTON SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH ALLIANCE
$15,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE RESIDENCY
$15,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE
$10,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT
$10,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SR3
$10,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER
$10,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
YOUTH EXPERIMENTAL TRAINING INSTITUTE
$10,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ELDERWISE
$10,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MOISTURE FESTIVAL
$10,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BAINBRIDGE YOUTH SERVICES
$10,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
COASTAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER
$8,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MODE MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS
$8,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE WHALE TRAIL
$7,500IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
COYOTE FOUNDATION AKA JEFFERSON TEEN CENTER
$6,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$5,000SEA DISCOVERY CENTER
THE IF PROJECT
$5,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SOUTH END STORIES
$5,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE WASHINGTON STATE HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE ORGANIZATION
$5,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ISSAQUAH CULTURAL CIRCLE
$5,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
KEXP
$2,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BELLEVUE COLLAGE FOUNDATION
$2,000IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE PURPOSE
