Bacon Family Foundation

## How to Approach the Bacon Family Foundation

The Bacon Family Foundation (EIN 74-3070936) is a private family foundation based in Medina, WA, founded by John E. Bacon and Debra Bacon in 2003. With approximately $1.98 million in assets as of 2024 and an average annual grant distribution of roughly $350,000–$475,000 over the past five years, this is a modestly sized but highly consistent foundation with a tight geographic focus on the Eastside Seattle suburbs — primarily Bellevue, WA.

Who gets funded: The foundation has a strong, demonstrated preference for organizations that serve youth, education, and underserved families in the Bellevue and greater Eastside WA area. Core repeat recipients include Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue, Jubilee Reach, Rainier Athletes, Eastside Academy, Bridge Receiving Center, and Bellevue Schools Foundation. These organizations have received grants every year from 2020 through 2023.

Relationship-driven: All grant purposes are listed as "funding of general charitable operations" — this is a preselected grantmaker. There is no evidence of an open application process. The foundation appears to give to organizations the Bacon family has personal relationships with and trusts over time.

No website: The domain bacon.org is currently a parked domain for sale and is unrelated to the foundation. Outreach should be directed to John E. Bacon, President, at PO Box 848, Medina, WA 98039, or via phone at (425) 256-2662.

Best approach: Cold outreach is unlikely to succeed given the preselected nature of giving. Organizations best positioned to receive funding are those already serving Bellevue Eastside youth and families with strong community visibility. If you have a personal connection to the Bacon family or can obtain an introduction through a current grantee (e.g., Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue, Jubilee Reach, Rainier Athletes), that is the most viable path to funding.

## Funding Patterns and Grant Size Analysis

Typical grant size: Minimum $175, maximum $134,700 (2020 Boys & Girls Club). Median grant approximately $11,325. Average grant approximately $21,333 (based on IRS 990 data, 2023 filing, 14 grants).

Grant concentration: The top 3 grantees (Boys & Girls Club Bellevue, Jubilee Reach, Rainier Athletes) consistently receive 50–65% of total annual giving. Boys & Girls Club Bellevue is the clear anchor grantee, receiving $100,000–$134,700 each year from 2020 to 2023.

Focus areas by frequency (2020–2023 grants): - Youth development and athletics (Boys & Girls Club, Rainier Athletes, Bellevue Boys Lacrosse) - Education and schools (Eastside Academy, Bellevue Schools Foundation, Lake Hills Elementary, Stevenson Elementary, Highland Middle School, Sacred Heart School) - Social services and housing (Bridge Receiving Center, Jubilee Reach, Solid Ground, Plymouth Housing, The Sophia Way) - Faith-based community outreach (Healing Hearts Ministries, Bellevue Lifespring) - Higher education (University of Washington — consistent $9,430–$30,011 annual gift)

Geographic concentration: Overwhelmingly Bellevue, WA (75%+ of grants by value). Secondary: broader Seattle metro (Woodinville, Seattle, Renton). Rare national grants (ASPCA, BFF Foundation Brooklyn, Family Connections Fund CA).

Payout rate: In 2023, total expenses were $607,887 against assets of $2.47M — approximately a 24.6% payout rate, well above the IRS-mandated 5% minimum for private foundations. This signals generous, mission-driven giving relative to asset size.

## Peer Comparison: Small WA Private Foundations ($500K–$10M Assets, Philanthropy & Grantmaking)

Positioning: The Bacon Family Foundation is the smallest by asset size in this peer set but shows above-average payout generosity (24.6% of assets in 2023 vs. the 5% minimum). Its hyper-local Bellevue focus is more geographically concentrated than most peers. The Brotman Family Foundation is the closest geographic neighbor (also Medina), but focuses on larger grants ($15,000–$500,000 range) with a multi-state approach.

Key differentiator: The Bacon Foundation's median grant of ~$11,325 and tight Eastside WA community focus makes it unusually accessible for small local nonprofits compared to larger peers — but only if you already have a relationship with the family.

## Recent Activity and Financial Trajectory

2023 highlights (most recent complete 990): - Total assets: $2,472,932 (down from peak $3.66M in 2021, reflecting distributions exceeding investment returns) - Total grants paid: $473,576 — highest in at least 5 years - Investment portfolio: $2,455,291 in corporate stocks; only $4,782 cash - Excise tax paid: $3,854 (standard 1.39% net investment income tax for PFs) - John D. Bacon received $40,000 compensation as Director (vs. $30,000 in prior year) - New large grantee: Jubilee Reach elevated to $64,850 (up from $425 in 2022) — significant shift

Trend analysis: - Assets are declining modestly (peak $3.66M in 2021, now $1.98M per latest IRS data for 2024) — the foundation is in a distribution-heavy phase - Annual giving has increased despite asset decline, suggesting intentional acceleration of distributions - Core grantee roster is stable: Boys & Girls Club, Eastside Academy, Bridge Receiving Center, Rainier Athletes, and Bellevue Schools Foundation appear every year - Jubilee Reach fluctuation (from $15,000 in 2021, to $425 in 2022, back to $64,850 in 2023) may reflect project-based giving cycles

2024 filing: Assets at $1,984,849 with $884,594 in revenue (likely investment returns). No complete 990 data available yet for grant distributions.

Outlook: The foundation appears financially sustainable at its current scale, though continued asset drawdown may lead to reduced grant totals by 2025–2026 unless investment returns recover. Organizations with multi-year relationships (Boys & Girls Club, Jubilee Reach, Rainier Athletes) are best positioned for continued support.

## Application Tips and Engagement Strategy

1. This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. All 78 grants on record (2020–2023) list "Funding of General Charitable Operations" as the purpose — there is no evidence of any RFP, grant cycle, or application portal. This is a family foundation giving to pre-selected organizations that the Bacon family knows personally.

2. The path to funding is relationship-first. If you are a Bellevue/Eastside WA nonprofit serving youth, education, or social services: - Seek introductions through current grantees: Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue, Jubilee Reach, Rainier Athletes, Eastside Academy, or Bridge Receiving Center - Attend community events in Bellevue where foundation principals may be present - Build visibility in the Bellevue schools community (the foundation has strong ties to Bellevue Schools Foundation, Lake Hills Elementary, Stevenson Elementary)

3. Contact information (no website): - Mail: John E. Bacon, President — Bacon Family Foundation, PO Box 848, Medina, WA 98039 - Phone: (425) 256-2662 - Note: bacon.org is a parked domain for sale and is NOT the foundation's website

4. What types of organizations get funded: - Established Bellevue/Eastside nonprofits with proven track records (not startups) - Youth athletics and development programs - K-12 schools and education support organizations in Bellevue - Social services addressing housing, food security, and family stability - University of Washington (for specific annual charitable designations)

5. What to avoid: - National organizations without a local Eastside WA presence (extremely rare exceptions like ASPCA) - Organizations outside Washington state (only 3 out-of-state grants in 4 years) - Grant amounts over $135,000 (the maximum ever recorded) or under $175

6. Timeline expectations: No application deadlines are published. Based on 990 filing patterns (tax year = calendar year), grants appear to be distributed throughout the calendar year. If you do secure an introduction, follow up patiently — the family reviews organizations over multiple interactions before committing.