The Raisbeck Foundation Trust concentrates its philanthropy on major Seattle-area cultural, educational and health institutions, providing sizable general operating support to flagship organizations. Grants are often large, multi-year or repeat awards to anchor institutions (notably higher education and performing arts), with additional support for biomedical research and local public-space enhancement. The foundation’s giving emphasizes sustaining institutional capacity rather than project-restricted funding.
The James D and Sherry Raisbeck Foundation Trust is defined by large, recurring support for Seattle institutions that anchor higher education, the arts, and biomedical research. Its recent grants include multimillion-dollar general operating awards to the University of Washington, along with major funding for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Cornish College of the Arts. That mix shows a funder focused on sustaining core capacity at established organizations rather than financing isolated projects. The trust’s giving pattern also reaches beyond the cultural sector into health and civic life. Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Museum of Flight appear among its recent recipients, and waterfront/public-space support is part of the portfolio through Friends of Waterfront Park Seattle. The grants are consistently structured as general operating funds, signaling an emphasis on flexibility for recipient institutions. Several organizations recur across multiple years, especially in Seattle’s performing arts and education landscape, which points to an ongoing relationship model rather than one-time patronage. Across the recent file, the trust’s philanthropy is concentrated in the Seattle area and built around named institutions with established public roles.
In higher education, the trust gave $2,185,024 in 2023 and $2,000,000 in 2024 to the University of Washington for general operating funds, showing sustained support for institutional capacity. Arts education is another clear thread: Cornish College of the Arts received $1,245,000 in 2024 and $1,215,000 in 2025 for general operating funds, after a $1,025,000 grant in 2023. The performing arts portfolio is broad. Seattle Symphony received $1,432,115 in 2023 and $472,669 in 2025, while Seattle Opera was funded at $630,000 in 2023 and $199,600 in 2024. Pacific Northwest Ballet also appears repeatedly, with awards of $575,000 in 2023, $152,950 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2025. On the health side, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center received $1,562,500 in 2023 and $750,000 in 2024 for cancer research support.
Grant sizes range from a 25th percentile of $10,000 to a median of $50,000 and a 75th percentile of $411,636. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same institutions across multiple years, including the University of Washington, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. That pattern suggests ongoing institutional relationships rather than isolated gifts. The trust operates as a foundation trust, and its grants in the file are overwhelmingly general operating support, which points to flexible, core funding rather than restricted project grants.
$3.1M
$6.9M
$666K
$3.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $412K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$412K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small cohort of regional anchor institutions; several repeat grants to the same organizations and a preference for unrestricted/general operating support over project-only funding.
Notable grantees: University of Washington, Cornish College of the Arts, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Symphony, Museum of Flight
Giving is regional and heavily centered in Washington. Of the recent grants listed, 78% go to recipients in WA, and Seattle accounts for the overwhelming majority of named grantees. Outside Washington, the file includes grants to Grand Forks, ND; West Lafayette, IN; and New York, NY. Every recent grant in the dataset is to a U.S. recipient, with no non-U.S. recipients appearing in the file.
The recent grants concentrate on Seattle higher education, performing arts, biomedical research, and a smaller set of civic/public-space organizations. Examples in the file include the University of Washington, Seattle Symphony, Cornish College of the Arts, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Friends of Waterfront Park Seattle.
Yes. The recent grants listed are consistently labeled general operating funds or general support, including awards to the University of Washington, Seattle Symphony, and Seattle Opera. That pattern shows a preference for unrestricted or core funding rather than project-only grants.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years in the recent grant list, including the University of Washington, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Music of Remembrance.
The grant-size distribution centers on $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $411,636 at the 75th percentile. The recent file also includes several seven-figure grants, showing a mix of smaller awards and very large institutional gifts.
The trust gives primarily in Washington, with 78% of grants going to recipients in WA. Seattle is the main city in the recent grants list, while a smaller number of awards go to Grand Forks, ND; West Lafayette, IN; and New York, NY.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS | SEATTLE, WA | $1,215,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION IN THE ARTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION |
| SEATTLE SYMPHONY | SEATTLE, WA | $472,669 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE | SEATTLE, WA | $67,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| SEATTLE OPERA | SEATTLE, WA | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| FRIENDS OF SEATTLE WATERFRONT | SEATTLE, WA | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| SPECTRUM DANCE THEATER | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| MEDIC ONE FOUNDATION | BELLEVUE, WA | $41,300 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - HEALTH |
| NORTHWEST OPERA IN SCHOOLS ETCETERA (NOISE) | SEATTLE, WA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION IN THE ARTS |
| GLACIER PEAK INSTITUTE | DARRINGTON, WA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| SEATTLE FIRE FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| HISTORY LINK | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| ARTSFUND | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - ARTS |
| PROVIDENCE ST JOSEPH HEALTH FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $2,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION |
| CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS | SEATTLE, WA | $1,245,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION IN THE ARTS |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $750,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - CANCER RESEARCH |
| SEATTLE SYMPHONY | SEATTLE, WA | $411,636 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| SEATTLE OPERA | SEATTLE, WA | $199,600 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET | SEATTLE, WA | $152,950 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| UND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION | GRAND FORKS, ND | $108,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION |
| SEATTLE FIRE FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $73,526 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $63,600 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - HEALTH |
| MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| EMBRY RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIV | RENTON, WA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION |
| SPECTRUM DANCE THEATER | SEATTLE, WA | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| NORTHWEST AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - MUSEUM, ART |
| MEDIC ONE FOUNDATION | BELLEVUE, WA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - HEALTH |
| RAINIER SCHOLARS | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN CHEKHOV PROJECT DBA THE SEAGULL PROJECT | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| KUOW | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - MEDIA |
| THE RAINIER CLUB HISTORIC FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| PHCC | RENTON, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| NATIONAL NORDIC MUSEUM | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| SEATTLE ART MUSEUM | SEATTLE, WA | $8,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - MUSEUM |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $3,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL |
| ARTSFUND | SEATTLE, WA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - ARTS |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - HEALTH |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $2,185,024 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $1,562,500 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - CANCER RESEARCH |
| SEATTLE SYMPHONY | SEATTLE, WA | $1,432,115 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| MUSEUM OF FLIGHT | SEATTLE, WA | $1,173,981 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - MUSEUM, EDUCATION |
| CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS | SEATTLE, WA | $1,025,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION IN THE ARTS |
| FRIENDS OF WATERFRONT PARK SEATTLE | SEATTLE, WA | $896,429 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SEATTLE OPERA | SEATTLE, WA | $630,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
| SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | SEATTLE, WA | $583,333 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - HEALTH |
| PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET | SEATTLE, WA | $575,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS |
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$1,000,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
$472,669GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE
$67,500GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
SEATTLE OPERA
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
NORTHWEST OPERA IN SCHOOLS ETCETERA (NOISE)
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION IN THE ARTS
SEATTLE FIRE FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL
HISTORY LINK
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL
PROVIDENCE ST JOSEPH HEALTH FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$2,000,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION
GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - CANCER RESEARCH
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
$411,636GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
SEATTLE OPERA
$199,600GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION
SEATTLE FIRE FOUNDATION
$73,526GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL
MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
EMBRY RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIV
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION
AMERICAN CHEKHOV PROJECT DBA THE SEAGULL PROJECT
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
KUOW
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - MEDIA
THE RAINIER CLUB HISTORIC FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL
PHCC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL
PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA
$3,500GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$2,185,024GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - EDUCATION
FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER
$1,562,500GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - CANCER RESEARCH
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
$1,432,115GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
FRIENDS OF WATERFRONT PARK SEATTLE
$896,429GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - GENERAL SUPPORT
SEATTLE OPERA
$630,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - THE ARTS
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$583,333GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS - HEALTH