The Bergquist Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting charitable operations across a variety of sectors. Its mission focuses on enhancing community welfare through funding for food banks, homeless shelters, human services, and arts and culture initiatives. The foundation primarily serves local organizations, including crisis nurseries, senior centers, and educational nonprofits, indicating a commitment to addressing both immediate needs and long-term community development. While its funding is concentrated in Washington, it also extends support to organizations in Idaho, reflecting a regional focus on improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A locally based Washington nonprofit (especially in the Spokane region) with an established record of community service in human services, food/homelessness assistance, or local arts and culture that is known to regional funders or can be introduced by trusted intermediaries.
Good Fit
- • Located in Spokane-area or otherwise operating in Washington where most dollars are concentrated.
- • Provides direct community services (shelter, food bank, crisis nursery, senior services) or well-established local arts organizations.
- • Existing relationships or referrals from local nonprofit leaders, civic funders, or previous grantees.
- • An organizational scale consistent with typical grant sizes (~$2.5K–$40K).
Geography
Observed giving is overwhelmingly local: in the latest year about 96% of dollars went to organizations in one state, with only a small share to a neighboring state.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded 22 distinct recipients in each observed year, showing a broad set of independent local organizations rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Records and application notes indicate grants are made to preselected recipients (invitation-only). Although 10 new recipients appeared in the latest year, the absence of a public application route and the preselection policy make it unlikely an unfamiliar applicant could enter without a direct referral or solicitation.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
