Aven Foundation

Aven Foundation operates as a tightly held, family-run private foundation based in Medina, Washington — the affluent Lake Washington enclave home to many of the Pacific Northwest's most influential technology and business figures. Founded in January 2001 (EIN 91-2009458), the foundation is led by two uncompensated directors, John W. Stanton and Theresa E. Gillespie. With $74.5 million in assets and an estimated $9 million distributed in fiscal year 2024, the foundation is more active than its low public profile suggests.

The giving philosophy centers on relationship-driven, pre-selected philanthropy. The foundation explicitly pre-selects the majority of its grantees, meaning most portfolio organizations have cultivated ties to leadership over time. That said, the foundation does formally accept "petitions from other charitable organizations," confirming that unsolicited outreach is possible — though the pathway is narrow and informal. There is no application portal, no RFP cycle, no stated review deadlines, and no public-facing grantmaking website.

First-time applicants should understand that Aven invests deeply and repeatedly. Of 221 tracked grants, top recipients — Whitman College (4+ grants, $7.5M+ cumulative), Year Up (4 grants, $1.1M), and FareStart (4 grants, $325K) — demonstrate that the foundation builds multi-year partnerships rather than making isolated gifts. Organizations that show multi-year impact trajectories and personal alignment with foundation directors are best positioned.

The giving portfolio falls into three tiers: major strategic investments ($1M+ to Whitman College, UW IHME, Congregations for the Homeless), sustained mid-level partnerships ($100K–$1M to Year Up, FareStart, Friends of the Children), and a broad base of smaller community grants ($25K–$75K to Rainier Scholars, Treehouse, Food Lifeline). First-time applicants should realistically aim for the third tier — $25,000 to $75,000 — unless they have a direct personal connection to foundation leadership.

The geographic focus is essentially absolute: 196 of 221 tracked grants (88.7%) went to Washington state organizations, concentrated in Seattle and the Eastside. Out-of-state giving is rare and appears tied to specific institutional relationships (Whitman College in Walla Walla; Macalester College in Saint Paul).

Aven Foundation's annual giving has grown substantially over the past decade. In fiscal year 2012, grants paid totaled $2.7 million against $43.6 million in assets. By fiscal year 2022, grants paid reached $5.8 million ($6.5 million total giving) with assets at $76 million. The most recent 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 reveals charitable disbursements of approximately $9.03 million — a 55% increase over 2022 and more than double 2023's $4.2 million — funded by a surge in contributions received ($3.2M) and asset sales ($4.8M).

At the individual grant level, the median award is $25,000 and the average is $91,416 across 221 tracked grants totaling $20.2 million. These figures are pulled upward by a handful of transformational investments. The stated range spans $5,000 at the low end to $1.8 million at the high end; in practice, most grants cluster between $25,000 and $200,000.

By program area, education and youth development account for the largest share — approximately 35% of cumulative dollars. Higher education alone is dominant: Whitman College has received more than $7.5 million cumulatively, while Cristo Rey Seattle High School received $500,000, Bellevue Schools Foundation $385,000, and Rainier Scholars and Rainier Prep $75,000 each.

Health and medical research represent roughly 20–25%: UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation received $2 million, UW vaccination programs $1.8 million, Overlake Hospital Foundation $250,000, and Seattle Children's Zain Nadella endowed chair $200,000.

Housing and homelessness account for approximately 15–18%: Congregations for the Homeless received $1 million, Year Up $1.1 million (workforce development with housing components), Habitat for Humanity $150,000, and Attain Housing $80,000. Food security organizations (FareStart $325,000, Food Lifeline $200,000) contribute roughly 5%.

Youth human services — foster care support, domestic violence services, after-school programs — represent another 10–15%: Amara ($165,000), Treehouse ($85,000), New Beginnings ($80,000), and Olive Crest ($75,000). Washington state captures 88.7% of all tracked grants by count, with King County and Eastside communities representing the densest concentration.

The five peer foundations in the database share asset profiles closely matching Aven's $74.5 million but operate from different states and have limited public grantmaking profiles.

Among these asset-equivalent peers, Aven stands out for the depth and visibility of its published grantee history — 221 tracked grants provide unusual insight into priorities, a rarity among family foundations of this size. The 2024 giving surge to approximately $9 million further distinguishes Aven, whose annual disbursements have roughly tripled since 2012 as assets grew from $43.6 million to $74.5 million. The geographic concentration in Washington state, combined with the absence of a public application process, means Aven functions more like a deeply community-embedded family foundation than a programmatic grantmaker with open competitions. Organizations seeking peer context should look not just at asset size but at giving rate: at roughly 12% of assets distributed annually in 2024, Aven's payout meaningfully exceeds the 5% minimum required of private foundations.

The most significant recent development is the dramatic spike in charitable disbursements in fiscal year 2024. The 990-PF filed November 13, 2025 shows revenues of $11.1 million — comprising $3.2 million in contributions, $4.8 million in asset sales, and $2.1 million in investment income — and expenses of $9.9 million, of which $9.03 million (91.1%) went to charitable disbursements. This is the highest single-year giving in the foundation's recorded history.

Notable 2024 grants (per the most recent filing) include: - Whitman College: $3,000,000, continuing a decades-long relationship now totaling more than $7.5 million cumulatively - Ryther Child Center League: $500,000, described as providing "healing and hope through inpatient and outpatient programs" — representing a significant new or expanded commitment to youth behavioral health - Bellevue Schools Foundation: $245,079, sustaining multi-year support for Bellevue School District enrichment programming

No leadership changes were identified in the 2024 filing. Theresa Gillespie remains the listed director as of November 2025, with John W. Stanton co-listed as director in IRS records. No public announcements of new programs, strategic shifts, or geographic expansion were found. The foundation continues to operate without a public-facing website, consistent with its historically low-profile approach. The absence of press coverage or announcements in 2025–2026 is expected and does not indicate reduced activity — the 990-PF data confirms the foundation remains very active.

Applying to Aven Foundation requires patience, strategic positioning, and recognition that this is a relationship-first funder. The following advice is specific to Aven's known operating style — not generic grant-writing guidance.

Mail your letter of inquiry — it is the only confirmed channel. The foundation has no online portal, no published RFP, and no publicly listed email for grant inquiries. Confirmed contact is a written petition mailed to PO Box 465, Medina, WA 98039. Keep the LOI to 2–3 pages. Lead with a crisp mission statement, specific population served, dollar amount requested, and a clear youth-impact statement.

Lead with Washington state and Eastside impact. 89% of tracked grants go to Washington organizations. If your primary service area is King County, the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland), or Seattle proper, say so explicitly in the first paragraph.

Map all outcomes to youth and children. Even organizations whose primary mission is housing (Congregations for the Homeless, $1M) or food security (FareStart, $325K) frame their Aven grants around young beneficiaries. Use language such as "youth and families," "children in foster care," or "young adults transitioning out of homelessness."

Calibrate your first ask to $25,000–$75,000. Given the median grant of $25,000 and typical range for non-flagship grantees of $25,000–$200,000, a first-time request should align with this band. Opening a new relationship with a seven-figure request is not appropriate.

Pursue a warm introduction through the grantee network. Organizations with documented relationships to Aven — FareStart, Year Up, Bellevue Schools Foundation, Friends of the Children, Roots Young Adult Shelter — can potentially broker an introduction. Board members who know current grantees are an asset.

Demonstrate organizational track record. Aven heavily favors established organizations. Highlight years in operation, audit history, measurable outcomes, and community recognition. First-time applicants from organizations under 5 years old face a significantly steeper path.

Follow up by phone after 60–90 days. The foundation publishes no review timeline. A polite follow-up call to (425) 586-8011 approximately 60–90 days after mailing is appropriate.