Steffens Foundation

Steffens Foundation was established in 2005 and received tax-exempt status in May 2005. It is based in Pullman, Washington — home of Washington State University and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). The Schweitzer family name behind this foundation is distinguished: Edmund A. Schweitzer III is the founder, president, and CEO of SEL, a global leader in power system protection and automation technologies. Mary S. Schweitzer serves as the foundation's President, with Stephanie L. Schweitzer as Vice President, Edmund A. Schweitzer as Secretary, and Paul A. Schweitzer as Treasurer — all unpaid. The foundation name "Steffens" likely refers to a maternal family name. The philanthropic strategy reflects the Schweitzer family's deep Catholic faith: the largest single grants go to Cross Catholic Outreach and Cross International, two major Catholic humanitarian relief organizations. Education — particularly at Gonzaga University, a Jesuit institution in Spokane, WA, and presumably WSU in Pullman — is also a major focus. With $8.1M distributed across 388 grants over its history, this is a highly active foundation. However, its new-grantee rate is very low (10%), indicating primarily relationship-based, closed-network giving. Assets have declined from $6.8M (2019) to $4.1M (2024) due to disbursements consistently exceeding investment income by $1M+ per year.

Steffens Foundation has maintained annual charitable disbursements of $489,000–$1,750,000 over its history, far exceeding what its investment portfolio generates. FY2024: Revenue $603,102 (dividends $166,997, asset sales $436,105), expenses $1,632,618, charitable disbursements $1,580,000, assets $4,051,792. FY2023: Revenue $1,868,732 (includes $217,701 contributions, large asset sales), disbursements $1,645,000, assets $5,099,781. FY2022: Disbursements $1,100,000. This pattern of spending 2-3x investment income means the foundation is drawing down its endowment at a rapid rate — it has lost approximately $2.7M in net assets since 2019, suggesting a planned wind-down or supplementation from the Schweitzer family's operating business income. GrantBay data shows 388 grants totaling $8,092,141, with a median of $10,000 and range from $1,000 to $250,000. Latest year (2023): 50 grants with median $20,000 and 33% growth. Known 2024 grantees: Cross Catholic Outreach ($200,000), Cross International ($127,000 + $100,000 emergency relief), plus 30 additional grants totaling $1,150,000. Geographic focus: 27% Washington (Pullman 57%, Spokane 33%), Idaho, Colorado, and 18 other states plus international.

Steffens Foundation is a major-disbursement private Catholic family foundation in Eastern Washington. Peer comparison:

Steffens Foundation is exceptional in disbursing $1.58M from a $4M asset base — a 39% payout rate, far exceeding the IRS minimum 5% requirement. The Schweitzer family is clearly using this foundation as an active vehicle for major Catholic humanitarian giving.

In FY2024, Steffens Foundation made 48 grants with $1,580,000 in total charitable disbursements. Key 2024 grants: Cross Catholic Outreach ($200,000 general operations), Cross International ($127,000 general operations + $100,000 emergency relief), plus 30 additional grants totaling $1,150,000. The 990-PF was filed November 13, 2025. Assets declined from $5,099,781 to $4,051,792 — a decrease of approximately $1M in one year. Total grants in FY2024 were approximately $1.58M against revenue of only $603K, creating a net draw-down of $1.03M. The foundation shows consistent, deep commitment to Cross Catholic Outreach and Cross International as anchor grantees. The foundation website (steffens.org) currently hosts an unrelated Mastodon instance (social network software), not the foundation. Edmund Schweitzer's SEL company continues to be headquartered in Pullman, suggesting the family remains deeply embedded in the Eastern Washington community.

Steffens Foundation has a very low new-grantee rate (10%), meaning successful grant applications almost exclusively come from organizations with pre-existing relationships with the Schweitzer family. Practical guidance: (1) Catholic humanitarian relief organizations aligned with Cross Catholic Outreach or Cross International's model (international poverty relief, disaster response) have the strongest alignment. (2) Catholic educational institutions in Eastern Washington — particularly Gonzaga University (Spokane) and institutions in the Pullman area — have documented giving relationships. (3) The foundation's phone number is (312) 557-3212 (Chicago area code, possibly a family advisor line). Physical address: PO Box 455, Pullman, WA 99163. (4) The 10% new-grantee rate means cold outreach is highly unlikely to succeed without a personal introduction from Edmund Schweitzer, his family, or a current grantee organization. (5) The foundation's rapid asset decline suggests it may be distributing remaining assets deliberately — future grantmaking capacity may diminish unless the family makes new contributions. (6) Catholic-aligned organizations in Idaho, Colorado, or other western states may also fit, as these are secondary geographic areas. (7) Education programs at WSU (the local university) or Gonzaga are likely also ongoing priorities.