The Nysether Family Foundation concentrates its giving in Washington state, especially Snohomish County and the Puget Sound region, supporting youth development, community services, regional cultural institutions, and outdoor/recreation access. Grants mix large capital gifts (zoos, capital campaigns) with operational support for local nonprofits—frequently funding youth-serving organizations, community foundations, and place-based museums and parks. The foundation gives to both well-established regional institutions and smaller service providers that expand access to recreation, education, and basic supports for families and children.
The Nysether Family Foundation’s recent giving is anchored in large local commitments to Snohomish County institutions, led by a $2.4 million program expense grant to the Community Foundation of Snohomish County and a $1 million award to Boy Scouts of America - Mt Baker Council. Those gifts sit alongside major support for youth-serving organizations, cultural institutions, and community services across the Puget Sound region. The foundation’s pattern is place-based and community-oriented: it backs organizations that work with children, families, and local residents, while also funding capital campaigns for regional attractions and recreation assets. In 2024, the foundation extended that approach through substantial support for the YMCA of Snohomish County, Camp Korey, and Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County, showing a strong interest in youth development and family services. It also funded institutions such as Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center, and Imagine Childrens Museum, indicating an emphasis on education, science, and public-facing cultural spaces. Other grants reached disability services, hospice and bereavement support, and outdoor access organizations, giving the foundation a broad but clearly local profile. The recipient mix includes both large regional nonprofits and smaller service providers, with grants often tied to program support or capital needs rather than unrestricted institutional support. Across the file, the giving pattern is defined by repeated investments in Washington organizations that serve residents directly.
Youth development appears throughout the grant record. The foundation gave $1 million to Boy Scouts of America - Mt Baker Council for program expenses, $700,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County for a capital campaign, and $300,000 to Camp Korey for program expenses. It also supported YMCA of Snohomish County with a $500,000 program expense grant, reinforcing a focus on organized activities and services for children and teens. Arts, science, and family learning are another clear thread. Grants included $900,000 to Woodland Park Zoo for a capital campaign, $100,000 to Pacific Science Center for program expense, and $250,000 to Imagine Childrens Museum for program expense. The foundation also backed the Arts Council of Snohomish County Dba Schack Art Center with $100,000 for program expenses, showing support for local cultural infrastructure. A third area is health and disability-related services. Providence General Hospital Foundation received $250,000 for program expenses, Sherwood Community Services received $250,000 for program expense, and Little Bit Theraputic Riding Center received $100,000 for program support. Those grants point to practical help for children and families in the region.
$605K
$0
$24K
$651K
Most grants fall between $15K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Concentrated regional giving with a mix of large multi‑hundred‑thousand dollar gifts and many mid‑sized $100k grants; repeat funding to a handful of core grantees (e.g., Community Foundation, Woodland Park Zoo, Eastern Washington University Foundation) alongside one‑time support for a broad set of local nonprofits. Funding patterns emphasize capital campaigns and program support for established local institutions rather than many small seed grants.
Notable grantees: Community Foundation of Snohomish County, Woodland Park Zoo, Boy Scouts of America - Mt Baker Council, Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County, YMCA of Snohomish County
Typical grant size centers at $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes several much larger awards, which pulls the average above the median. The foundation appears to fund recurring relationships rather than one-time gifts: Community Foundation of Snohomish County and Woodland Park Zoo both appear more than once, and Eastern Washington University Foundation appears in multiple years as well. It is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Many grants are labeled program expense or program expenses, with some capital campaign support mixed in.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Washington-based: 94% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Everett appears repeatedly as a recipient city, including Community Foundation of Snohomish County, Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County, and Imagine Childrens Museum. Seattle is another major destination, with grants to Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center, and Washington Trails Association. Other Washington recipients include Lynnwood, Arlington, and Cheney, showing a strong regional footprint centered on Snohomish County and the broader Puget Sound area.
The foundation gives mainly to youth-serving nonprofits, community organizations, and local cultural or recreation institutions in Washington. Recent grants include support for youth development, family services, arts and science institutions, disability services, and outdoor access groups.
No. Recent grants include program expense support and capital campaign support. Examples in the record show both operating-style grants and larger capital commitments, including awards tied to facilities and infrastructure as well as service delivery.
Yes. 94% of grants go to recipients in Washington, and the grant record is entirely U.S.-based. Everett and Seattle appear frequently among recipient cities, with additional grants in Lynnwood, Arlington, Redmond, Wenatchee, Snoqualmie, and Cheney.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple grants or years, including Community Foundation of Snohomish County, Woodland Park Zoo, and Eastern Washington University Foundation. That points to a recurring relationship style rather than only one-time gifts.
The typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent file also includes larger awards in the hundreds of thousands and millions, especially for major local institutions.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CHENEY, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | STUDENT ACTIVITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | FRIENDS OF JACKSON SCHOOL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | MEN'S CREW BOYS IN THE BOAT ENDOWMENT |
| MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND INDUSTRY | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | EXHIBIT, PROGRAMS AND FACILITY UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS |
| NORTHWEST'S CHILD | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICES IN KING & SNOHOMISH COUNTY |
| PROVIDENCE HOSPICE AND HOME CARE | EVERETT, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | HOSPICE SUPPORT SERVICES IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY |
| VILLAGE THEATRE | EVERETT, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR EVERETT VILLAGE THEATRE |
| DOWN SYNDROME CENTER OF PUGET SOUND | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | FIRST CALL PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | WOMEN'S CREW TITLE IX LEGACY ENDOWMENT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS- SNOHOMISH COUNTY CHAPTER | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| CHILD STRIVE | EVERETT, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | EARLY SUPPORTS FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY |
| SEATTLE AQUARIUM | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY |
| HELPING HANDS MINISTRIES | BOTHELL, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICES IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY |
| SKAGIT REGINOAL HEALTH FOUNDATION | MOUNT VERNON, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 FESTIVAL OF TREES SPONSORSHIP |
| SCOUTING AMERICA MOUNT BAKER COUNCIL #606 | EVERETT, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 LIVE AUCTION EAGLE SCOUT LEVEL SPONSORSHIP |
| CENTER FOR WOODEN BOATS | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | YOUNG MARINERS INITIATIVE |
| PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | EXHIBIT AND FACILITY UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS |
| MARI'S PLACE | LAKE STEVENS, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICES IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY |
| THE TEARS FOUNDATION | PUYALLUP, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY |
| WONDERLAND CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES | SHORELINE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY |
| IMAGINE CHILDRENS MUSEUM | EVERETT, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | IN MEMORY OF SABINE POISCHBEG |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY | EVERETT, WA | $2,400,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - MT BAKER COUNCIL | EVERETT, WA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| WOODLAND PARK ZOO | SEATTLE, WA | $900,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY | EVERETT, WA | $700,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| YMCA OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY | EVERETT, WA | $500,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| CAMP KOREY | LYNNWOOD, WA | $300,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CHENEY, WA | $250,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| PROVIDENCE GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | EVERETT, WA | $250,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $250,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| IMAGINE CHILDRENS MUSEUM | EVERETT, WA | $250,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF ALASKA & WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $250,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SHERWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES | LAKE STEVENS, WA | $250,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| WORK OPPORTUNITIES | LYNNWOOD, WA | $250,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| NORTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM | SNOQUALMIE, WA | $150,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY | EVERETT, WA | $125,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY DBA SCHACK ART CENTER | EVERETT, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| PURRFECT PALS | ARLINGTON, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| OUTDOORS FOR ALL | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| WASHINGTON TRAILS ASSOCIATION | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| LITTLE BIT THERAPUTIC RIDING CENTER | REDMOND, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| CHELAN LAND TRUST | WENATCHEE, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| COCOON HOUSE | EVERETT, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| PAWS | LYNNWOOD, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| SARVEY WILDLIFE CARE CENTER | ARLINGTON, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| VILLAGE COMMUNITY SERVICES | ARLINGTON, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| CAMP FIRE USA- SNOHOMISH COUNTY COUNCIL | EVERETT, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| NOAH | STANWOOD, WA | $85,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS- SNOHOMISH COUNTY CHAPTER | SEATTLE, WA | $75,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM EXPENSE |
MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND INDUSTRY
$25,000EXHIBIT, PROGRAMS AND FACILITY UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS
DOWN SYNDROME CENTER OF PUGET SOUND
$25,000FIRST CALL PROGRAM
AMERICAN RED CROSS- SNOHOMISH COUNTY CHAPTER
$25,000PROGRAM EXPENSES
SEATTLE AQUARIUM
$25,000SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY
HELPING HANDS MINISTRIES
$25,000SUPPORT SERVICES IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY
SKAGIT REGINOAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
$25,0002024 FESTIVAL OF TREES SPONSORSHIP
SCOUTING AMERICA MOUNT BAKER COUNCIL #606
$25,0002024 LIVE AUCTION EAGLE SCOUT LEVEL SPONSORSHIP
PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER
$25,000EXHIBIT AND FACILITY UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS
MARI'S PLACE
$25,000SUPPORT SERVICES IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY
THE TEARS FOUNDATION
$25,000SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY
SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - MT BAKER COUNCIL
$1,000,000PROGRAM EXPENSES
CAMP KOREY
$300,000PROGRAM EXPENSES
WORK OPPORTUNITIES
$250,000PROGRAM EXPENSE
NORTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM
$150,000PROGRAM EXPENSE
ARTS COUNCIL OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY DBA SCHACK ART CENTER
$100,000PROGRAM EXPENSES
LITTLE BIT THERAPUTIC RIDING CENTER
$100,000PROGRAM EXPENSE
PAWS
$100,000PROGRAM EXPENSE
VILLAGE COMMUNITY SERVICES
$100,000PROGRAM EXPENSE
CAMP FIRE USA- SNOHOMISH COUNTY COUNCIL
$100,000PROGRAM EXPENSES
NOAH
$85,000PROGRAM EXPENSE
AMERICAN RED CROSS- SNOHOMISH COUNTY CHAPTER
$75,000PROGRAM EXPENSE