Campion Foundation

## Approach & Strategy

Campion Foundation, founded in 2005 by Tom and Sonya Campion (co-founder of Zumiez), operates as a highly strategic, invitation-only private foundation headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The foundation runs alongside a sister advocacy organization, the Campion Advocacy Fund, allowing it to pursue both grantmaking (via the 501(c)(3) foundation) and direct policy advocacy (via the 501(c)(4) fund) within the same programmatic framework.

The foundation's philosophy is encapsulated in the phrase "we build capacity to create impact." Grantmaking is explicitly described as "grounded in strategy, targeted for maximum leverage, and by invitation only." This is not a reactive funder responding to inbound proposals — it is a proactive funder that identifies partners aligned with its theory of change and approaches them directly. The foundation focuses on three tightly integrated program areas: (1) Public Lands & Climate Action — protecting large, intact ecosystems in Alaska and the American West; (2) Ending Homelessness — preventing youth homelessness and expanding affordable housing access in King County and nationally; and (3) Nonprofit Impact — building sector capacity in organizations with strong governance and sustainable funding.

The dual foundation/advocacy fund structure is a key strategic differentiator. Campion can fund both 501(c)(3) direct-service and research organizations through the Foundation, and deploy 501(c)(4) dollars for lobbying and electoral-adjacent policy work through the Advocacy Fund. This gives the organization unusual leverage across the full spectrum of systems change strategies — from litigation support and research to legislative campaigns.

## Funding Patterns

Campion Foundation gave approximately $1.53 million across 40 grants in 2024, down from $2.06 million across 30 grants in 2023. Total assets stand at $16.78 million (2024), declining from a peak of $30 million in 2021 — suggesting the foundation has been intentionally drawing down its endowment to fund current-year grantmaking rather than preserving capital.

Grants range from $10,000 to $1.2 million, though the average works out to approximately $38,000–$50,000 per grant given the annual totals and grant counts. This average masks significant concentration: the foundation likely makes a small number of large multi-year grants to core grantees (Alaska Wilderness League, Wilderness Society, Building Changes) supplemented by smaller capacity-building or pilot grants.

The environment portfolio — particularly Alaska conservation and Indigenous land stewardship — is the largest funding area. Past grantees include Alaska Wilderness League, Wilderness Society, Idaho Conservation League, Native Movement (Alaska), and Montana's Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. On the homelessness side, the foundation supports both local Seattle/King County organizations (Building Changes, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, Mockingbird Society) and national policy influencers (National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Low Income Housing Coalition, True Colors United for LGBTQ+ youth). All officer compensation is $0 (unpaid trustees), meaning nearly all assets flow to programs.

Annual giving has fluctuated significantly — from $9.7M in 2021 to $478K in 2022, back up to $2.06M in 2023. This pattern likely reflects lumpy multi-year grant commitments being disbursed and renewed on irregular schedules rather than a consistent annual grantmaking budget.

## Peer Comparison

Campion most closely resembles Wilburforce Foundation in conservation philosophy (both prioritize intact ecosystems and Indigenous stewardship in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska) but operates at a fraction of the scale. Campion is uniquely positioned by its dual foundation/advocacy fund structure, which few comparably sized foundations replicate. Its homelessness focus distinguishes it from most conservation-first Pacific Northwest funders. For organizations working at the intersection of environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and housing, Campion's portfolio represents an unusually aligned dual-issue funder.

## Recent Activity

Campion Foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking activity through 2023–2024 despite declining asset base. The 40 grants made in 2024 (up from 30 in 2023) suggest the foundation is broadening its grant portfolio, possibly with more smaller-ticket investments in emerging organizations or first-time grantees.

On the conservation front, the foundation and its advocacy arm have been active in ongoing campaigns to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and oppose oil and gas development in Alaska's public lands. Native Movement, an Alaska-based Indigenous-led organization, has been a consistent grantee representing the foundation's growing commitment to centering Indigenous voices in conservation decisions.

On homelessness, the Washington Governor's 2024–2025 budget for affordable housing and the ongoing King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) work are areas where Campion-funded organizations (Building Changes, WLIHA) remain deeply engaged. Nationally, the foundation's partners at Chapin Hall (youth homelessness research) and True Colors United (LGBTQ+ youth homelessness) continue to shape federal policy conversations.

The Campion Advocacy Fund side has been active in state and federal legislative campaigns on both public lands bills and housing affordability legislation in Washington State, providing complementary policy leverage to the foundation's grantmaking investments.

## Application Tips

Campion Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and has no open application cycle. This is one of the most relationship-driven funders in the Pacific Northwest. Here is how to position for an eventual invitation:

1. Get introduced through current grantees. The single most actionable path is to build a working relationship with organizations already in Campion's portfolio — Alaska Wilderness League, Building Changes, Wilderness Society, Native Movement, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. Collaboration on a shared project or coalition will put your organization directly in view of Campion program staff.

2. Demonstrate systems-change orientation. Campion funds organizations pursuing structural, policy-level change — not direct service alone. Proposals that combine direct work with advocacy, research, or coalition leadership align with the foundation's theory of change. Pure service delivery without a policy or capacity-building dimension is unlikely to fit.

3. Prioritize Indigenous partnership for conservation work. The foundation's Indigenous stewardship emphasis is genuine and growing. Conservation organizations with authentic Indigenous partnerships or those led by Indigenous communities will have a competitive advantage in the public lands program.

4. For homelessness work, lead with youth and equitable housing. Campion's homelessness portfolio prioritizes youth homelessness prevention and equitable housing opportunity. Organizations working with LGBTQ+ youth, foster care youth, or equity-centered housing development are well-positioned.

5. Demonstrate organizational capacity. The "Nonprofit Impact" lens applies across all programs — the foundation evaluates governance quality, financial sustainability, and leadership depth even when funding conservation or housing work. Strong audits, diverse revenue, and clear succession planning matter.

6. Contact: Campion Advocacy Fund/Foundation, 1904 Third Avenue, Suite 405, Seattle, WA 98101; (206) 686-5310; campionadvocacyfund.org/contact/