The Bergquist Foundation concentrates its philanthropic support on a single local human-services nonprofit, directing all known funding to Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery in Spokane. Their giving suggests a strong, place-based commitment to early-childhood crisis intervention, family stabilization, and immediate-care services for at-risk children. The foundation appears to provide unrestricted or general operating support to sustain an established community safety-net provider rather than spreading funds across many causes.
Highly concentrated: all recorded grants went to a single grantee (three payments totaling $120,000), indicating repeat, sustained support for one core local nonprofit rather than diversified grantmaking.
The Bergquist Foundation Attn Eric Sachtjen has centered its giving on Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery in Spokane, with repeated awards of $40,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for charitable operations. That recurring support points to a funder built around sustained backing for one local human-services provider rather than a broad portfolio of programs. The pattern also shows a clear interest in crisis nursery work and immediate family support, especially services tied to child safety, stabilization, and emergency care for at-risk children. Beyond its primary recipient, the foundation’s recent grants show support for another Spokane-based crisis and family service provider, Maddie’s Place, which received $25,000 in both 2023 and 2025 to support charitable operations. The grant record also includes funding for organizations connected to homelessness services, youth support, and local safety-net capacity, but the center of gravity remains Spokane-based direct service work. Across the file, the foundation appears to favor straightforward operating support for established nonprofits that deliver essential community services.
The Bergquist Foundation Attn Eric Sachtjen supports a small set of direct-service causes in Spokane. In homelessness and shelter work, it gave $24,500 in both 2024 and 2025 to Union Gospel Mission, with the award split between charitable operations and the Anna Odgen Hall Shelter. It also backed Volunteers of America with $22,500 in 2024 and 2025, including support for operations and the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund. The foundation has also funded senior services and food access. Mid City Concerns Senior Center received $10,000 in 2024 and again in 2025 for charitable operations, while Second Harvest Food Bank received $10,000 in 2025. In cultural and community infrastructure, Spokane Symphony Society received $15,000 in 2024 and 2025, and Spokane Parks Foundation received $20,000 in 2024 and 2025.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized: the p25 is $4,000, the median is $7,500, and the p75 is $15,000. The recent record also includes larger operating awards of $40,000 to a single recipient and several repeated gifts at the same dollar level across multiple years. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing support rather than one-off experimentation. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its awards are straightforward grants, often labeled for charitable or operating support, with some mixed-purpose gifts that combine operations and a named campaign or fund.
$249K
$1.7M
$84K
$295K
Most grants fall between $4K and $15K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Notable grantees: Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and stays in Washington. Ninety-six percent of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state, and Washington is also the top state by grant count. Spokane is the clear center of activity, appearing across human services, arts, parks, and health-related grants. A smaller share reaches Post Falls, Idaho, through Anna Schindler Foundation, but the overall footprint remains concentrated in the Spokane area.
Its recent grants go to local service providers and community nonprofits in Spokane, including crisis nursery services, homelessness and shelter organizations, senior services, food access, arts groups, and parks-related organizations. The record shows a consistent emphasis on operating support for established nonprofits.
The typical grant size is $4,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent file also includes a $40,000 award, showing that some recipients receive substantially larger operating support.
Washington is the top state by grant count, and 96% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state of Washington. Spokane is the main recipient city throughout the recent grant list.
Yes. Several recipients appear across 2023, 2024, and 2025 with repeated awards, including a $40,000 annual pattern to one crisis nursery and repeated operating grants to other Spokane nonprofits. The record suggests a continuing relationship with selected local organizations.
No. The foundation funds organizations rather than individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery | Spokane, WA | $40,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Union Gospel Mission | Spokane, WA | $24,500 | 2026 | $12,500 To support charitable operations $12,000 to support the Anna Odgen Hall Shelter |
| Volunteers of America | Spokane, WA | $22,500 | 2026 | $20,000 To support Crosswalk program and $2,500 to the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund. |
| Spokane Parks Foundation | Spokane, WA | $20,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Spokane Symphony Society | Spokane, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Maddie's Place | Spokane, WA | $15,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Spokane, WA | $12,500 | 2026 | $7,500 to support charitable operations and $5,000 designated for the Bite-to-Go program. |
| Northwest Museum of Arts Culture | Spokane, WA | $12,500 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| The Salvation Army | Spokane, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Anna Schindler Foundation | Post Falls, ID | $10,000 | 2026 | To support construction campaign |
| Mid City Concerns Senior Center | Spokane, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Friends of KSPS TV | Spokane, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Side by Side | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| JOYA Child & Family Development | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Communities in Schools of Spokane County | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Truth Ministries of Spokane | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Providence Health Care Foundation | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Family Promise of Spokane | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Transitions | Spokane, WA | $4,000 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Feast World Kitchen | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2026 | To support the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund |
| Cup of Cool Water | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Girls on the Run of Spokane County | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2026 | To support charitable operations |
| Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery | Spokane, WA | $40,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Maddie's Place | Spokane, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Union Gospel Mission | Spokane, WA | $24,500 | 2025 | $12,500 To support charitable operations $12,000 to support the Anna Odgen Hall Shelter |
| Volunteers of America | Spokane, WA | $22,500 | 2025 | $20,000 To support charitable operations and $2,500 to the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund. |
| Spokane Parks Foundation | Spokane, WA | $20,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Spokane Symphony Society | Spokane, WA | $15,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Northwest Museum of Arts Culture | Spokane, WA | $12,500 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Spokane, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| The Salvation Army | Spokane, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Mid City Concerns Senior Center | Spokane, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Anna Schindler Foundation | Post Falls, ID | $10,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations & construction campaign |
| Friends of KSPS TV | Spokane, WA | $7,500 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Side by Side | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Family Promise of Spokane | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| JOYA Child & Family Development | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Communities in School Spokane | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Truth Ministries of Spokane | Spokane, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Transition | Spokane, WA | $4,000 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Girls on the Run | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Partners with Families and Children | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | To support charitable operations |
| Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington | Spokane, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | To support the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund |
| Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery | Spokane, WA | $40,000 | 2024 | To support charitable operations |
| Union Gospel Mission | Spokane, WA | $24,500 | 2024 | $12,500 To support charitable operations $12,000 to support the Anna Odgen Hall Shelter |
| Volunteers of America | Spokane, WA | $22,500 | 2024 | $20,000 To support charitable operations and $2,500 to the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund |
| Spokane Parks Foundation | Spokane, WA | $20,000 | 2024 | To support charitable operations |
Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
$40,000To support charitable operations
Union Gospel Mission
$24,500$12,500 To support charitable operations $12,000 to support the Anna Odgen Hall Shelter
Volunteers of America
$22,500$20,000 To support Crosswalk program and $2,500 to the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund.
Spokane Symphony Society
$15,000To support charitable operations
To support charitable operations
Second Harvest Food Bank
$12,500$7,500 to support charitable operations and $5,000 designated for the Bite-to-Go program.
Northwest Museum of Arts Culture
$12,500To support charitable operations
The Salvation Army
$10,000To support charitable operations
Anna Schindler Foundation
$10,000To support construction campaign
Mid City Concerns Senior Center
$10,000To support charitable operations
Friends of KSPS TV
$10,000To support charitable operations
Side by Side
$5,000To support charitable operations
Communities in Schools of Spokane County
$5,000To support charitable operations
Truth Ministries of Spokane
$5,000To support charitable operations
To support the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund
Cup of Cool Water
$2,500To support charitable operations
Girls on the Run of Spokane County
$2,500To support charitable operations
Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
$40,000To support charitable operations
Union Gospel Mission
$24,500$12,500 To support charitable operations $12,000 to support the Anna Odgen Hall Shelter
Volunteers of America
$22,500$20,000 To support charitable operations and $2,500 to the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund.
Spokane Symphony Society
$15,000To support charitable operations
Northwest Museum of Arts Culture
$12,500To support charitable operations
Second Harvest Food Bank
$10,000To support charitable operations
The Salvation Army
$10,000To support charitable operations
Mid City Concerns Senior Center
$10,000To support charitable operations
Anna Schindler Foundation
$10,000To support charitable operations & construction campaign
Friends of KSPS TV
$7,500To support charitable operations
Side by Side
$5,000To support charitable operations
Communities in School Spokane
$5,000To support charitable operations
Truth Ministries of Spokane
$5,000To support charitable operations
Transition
$4,000To support charitable operations
Girls on the Run
$2,500To support charitable operations
Partners with Families and Children
$2,500To support charitable operations
Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington
$2,500To support the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund
Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
$40,000To support charitable operations
Union Gospel Mission
$24,500$12,500 To support charitable operations $12,000 to support the Anna Odgen Hall Shelter
Volunteers of America
$22,500$20,000 To support charitable operations and $2,500 to the Spokesman Review X-mas Fund