Wyss Foundation
Wyss Foundation (Portland, OR) is a private charitable foundation supporting community services, the arts, education, the environment and animal welfare. The organization's site (wyssfoundationoregon.org) includes grant guidance, submission instructions and a contact email, and explicitly distinguishes itself from the larger Wyss Foundation founded by Hansjörg Wyss.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established community nonprofits (especially Oregon-based) working in arts, education, community services, environment, or animal welfare that seek mid-sized grants and have local credibility or a prior relationship with the foundation.
Good Fit
- • Programs primarily serving Oregon or the Portland region.
- • Work in arts, education, community services, environment, or animal welfare.
- • Track record of delivering programs at the $10K–$50K scale.
- • Existing relationship, introduction, or prior history with the foundation or local funders.
- • Clear organizational capacity and stable finances.
Geography
Observed giving is regionally concentrated: a majority of dollars flow to Oregon (about 55%) but grants were paid to organizations in 19 states in the latest year, indicating an Oregon-focused foundation with a broader out-of-state reach.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded many distinct independent recipients each year (65 → 71 → 86 → 105), with both returning grantees and dozens of new entrants in recent years, showing a broad and diverse recipient portfolio for its size.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of new grantees exists (26 new recipients in the latest year), so unfamiliar organizations can enter the portfolio, but the foundation's stated 'preselected only' policy and invitation-style practice reduce the likelihood that unsolicited applicants will be accepted without an introduction.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
