James M Lea Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like James M Lea Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 81-1949537

Foundation Overview

Based in Seattle, WA, James M Lea Foundation has awarded 68 grants totaling $4,652,888 to organizations in Washington, Oregon and 1 other state across the US. Individual grants range from $1,500 to $300,000, with a median award of $43,000.

Latest Tax Year
2023
Total Giving (all years)
$4,652,888
Total Assets
$0
Median Grant (all grants)
$43,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
16
Median Grant
$42,500
% Median Grant Decline
-19% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Relationship-Focused: 25%

4 of 16 recipients (25%) were new grantees. Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records. New partnerships develop slowly over time.

Geographic Focus
Washington

94% of all grants are concentrated in Washington, demonstrating highly focused geographic giving. This foundation prioritizes deep community impact in its primary service area. Within Washington, funding concentrates in Seattle (69%), Tacoma (16%), Olympia (5%).

Funding Trajectory
+43%

Moderate 43% growth trend over 3 years suggests stable and gradually increasing funding capacity. This positive trajectory indicates reliable grant-making resources and sustainable philanthropic commitment.

Program Areas
Education + 3 others

Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on education (46%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into James M Lea Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.

Name Amount Location Purpose Year
Conservation Nw $168,000 Seattle, WA, US To Fund Environmental Protection Programs. 2023
Foss Waterway Seaport $65,000 Tacoma, WA, US To Fund The "Science On The Sea Program And "Eco-kayaking Program" 2023
Invest In Youth $3,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support School Tutoring Program 2023
St James Cathedral $3,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support Downtown Outreach Ministries To The Poor, Homeless And Marginalized 2023
Tacoma Youth Marine Fdn $3,000 Tacoma, WA, US To Provide Marine Related Trainig Programs For Youth 2023
The Zoo Society $30,000 Tacoma, WA, US To Support Low Lncome School Scholarships. 2023
Univ Of Washington Foundation $140,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support The Engineering Academic Center Endowed Fund, Eac Staff Support, 2020 Summer Wise-up Bridge Program; And Eac Undergraduate Scholarships. 2023
Washington National Park Fund $300,000 Seattle, WA, US Preserve National Parks In Washington 2023
Washington Trails Association $200,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support Washington Trails Association's Youth Programs. 2023
Woodland Park Zoo $85,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support The Zoo Corp Youth Program And The Living Northwest Conservation Programs, Including Endangered Species Recovery; Education And Conservation Action; And Wildlife Science. 2023
Wsu Foundation $35,000 Seattle, WA, US Beach Watchers And Naturalist Program 2023
Ymca Of Greater Seattle $150,000 Seattle, WA, US To Fund The Outdoor Bold & Gold Education Program & The Ymca Camp Programs 2023
Bellevue Community College $50,000 Bellevue, WA, US Support Engineering Programs And Student Aide 2023
Raisbeck Aviation High School $10,000 Tukwila, WA, US To Support Math And Engineering Programs For High School Students 2023
Archbishop Murphy High School $3,000 Everett, WA, US Support The School's Science And Math After School Programs 2023
School Stem And Environmental Programs $10,488 Seattle, WA, US Distribute Remaining Funds In 2024 After Irs Refund To Approved 501(c) 3 Organiziations To Close Foundation. 2023
Conservation Nw $150,000 Seattle, WA, US To Fund Environmental Protection Programs. 2022
Food Lifeline $1,500 Seattle, WA, US To Provide Food To More Than 300 Food Banks And Shelters. 2022
Foss Waterway Seaport $65,000 Tacoma, WA, US To Fund The "science On The Sea Program And "eco-kayaking Program" 2022
St Thomas More School $1,500 Lynnwood, WA, US Fund Stem Program For School 2022
Tacoma Youth Marine Fdn $101,500 Tacoma, WA, US To Provide Marine Related Trainig Programs For Youth 2022
The Zoo Society $40,000 Tacoma, WA, US To Support Low Lncome School Scholarships. 2022
Univ Of Washington Foundation $250,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support The Engineering Academic Center Endowed Fund, Eac Staff Support, 2020 Summer Wise-up Bridge Program; And Eac Undergraduate Scholarships. 2022
Washington National Park Fund $150,000 Seattle, WA, US Preserve National Parks In Washington 2022
Washington Trails Association $100,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support Washington Trails Association's Youth Programs. 2022
Western Rivers Conservancy $157,000 Portland, OR, US To Support Conservation Efforts Of Rivers 2022
Woodland Park Zoo $87,500 Seattle, WA, US To Support The Zoo Corp Youth Program And The Living Northwest Conservation Programs, Including Endangered Species Recovery; Education And Conservation Action; And Wildlife Science. 2022
Wsu Foundation $52,300 Seattle, WA, US Beach Watchers And Naturalist Program 2022
Ymca Of Greater Seattle $145,000 Seattle, WA, US To Fund The Outdoor Bold & Gold Education Program & The Ymca Camp Programs 2022
Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehab Ctr $3,000 Friday Harbor, WA, US To Promote The Well-being Of Wildlife And Their Habitats 2022
St James Cathedral $1,500 Seattle, WA, US To Support Downtown Outreach Ministries To The Poor, Homeless And Marginalized 2022
Catholic Community Services $1,500 Seattle, WA, US To Support Downtown Outreach Ministries To The Poor, Homeless And Marginalized 2022
Invest In Youth $10,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support School Tutoring Program 2022
Friends Of Nisqually $10,000 Olympia, WA, US Educational Environmental Program Support 2022
Washington Wildlife & Recreation $10,000 Olympia, WA, US To Promote The Well-being Of Wildlife And Their Habitats 2022
Conservation Nw $150,000 Seattle, WA, US To Fund Environmental Protection Programs. 2021
Food Lifeline $1,500 Seattle, WA, US To Provide Food To More Than 300 Food Banks And Shelters. 2021
Foss Waterway Seaport $65,000 Tacoma, WA, US To Fund The "science On The Sea Program And "eco-kayaking Program" 2021
Univ Of Washington Foundation $225,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support The Engineering Academic Center Endowed Fund, Eac Staff Support, 2020 Summer Wise-up Bridge Program; And Eac Undergraduate Scholarships. 2021
Washington National Park Fund $142,000 Seattle, WA, US Preserve National Parks In Washington 2021
Washington Trails Association $125,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support Washington Trails Association's Youth Programs. 2021
Western Rivers Conservancy $100,000 Portland, OR, US To Support Conservation Efforts Of Rivers 2021
Woodland Park Zoo $100,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support The Zoo Corp Youth Program And The Living Northwest Conservation Programs, Including Endangered Species Recovery; Education And Conservation Action; And Wildlife Science. 2021
Wsu Foundation $46,000 Seattle, WA, US Beach Watchers And Naturalist Program 2021
Invest In Youth $10,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support School Tutoring Programs 2021
Techbridge Girls $25,000 Oakland, CA, US To Support The Techbridge Girls Lnspire & Techbridge Girls Changemakers Programs In The Greater Seattle Area. 2021
Friends Of Nisqually $7,000 Olympia, WA, US Educational Environmental Program Support 2021
Ymca Of Greater Seattle $135,000 Seattle, WA, US To Fund The Outdoor Bold & Gold Education Program & The Ymca Camp Programs 2021
The Zoo Society $30,000 Tacoma, WA, US To Support Low Lncome School Scholarships. 2021
St Bernadette Parish School $20,000 Seattle, WA, US Fund Stem Program For School 2021
Tacoma Youth Marine Fdn $1,500 Tacoma, WA, US To Provide Marine Related Trainig Programs For Youth 2021
Food Bank At St Mary's $1,500 Seattle, WA, US To Provide Food During Covid 2021
Conservation Nw $60,000 Seattle, WA, US To Fund Environmental Protection Programs. 2020
Food Lifeline $1,500 Seattle, WA, US To Provide Food To More Than 300 Food Banks And Shelters. 2020
Foss Waterway Seaport $25,000 Tacoma, WA, US To Fund The "science On The Sea Program And "eco-kayaking Program" 2020
Nerdy Girls $1,500 Ellensburg, WA, US Fund Stem Program For Girls 2020
Northwest Harvest $1,500 Seattle, WA, US To Support Hunger Relief Efforts In King County 2020
Saint Thomas More School $1,500 Lynnwood, WA, US To Support Stem - School Robotic Program 2020
Braided River $35,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support Stewardship Of Nw Land 2020
Washington Environmental Council $35,000 Seattle, WA, US Fund Conservation Efforts To Protect, Restore And Sustain Wa Environment 2020
Catholic Community Services $1,500 Seattle, WA, US Financial Assistance To Catholic Outreach 2020
Western Rivers Conservancy $100,000 Portland, OR, US To Support Conservation Efforts Of Rivers 2020
Univ Of Washington Foundation $200,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support The Engineering Academic Center Endowed Fund, Eac Staff Support, 2020 Summer Wise-up Bridge Program; And Eac Undergraduate Scholarships. 2020
Washington National Park Fund $70,000 Seattle, WA, US Preserve National Parks In Washington 2020
Washington Trails Association $100,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support Washington Trails Association's Youth Programs. 2020
Woodland Park Zoo $70,000 Seattle, WA, US To Support The Zoo Corp Youth Program And The Living Northwest Conservation Programs, Including Endangered Species Recovery; Education And Conservation Action; And Wildlife Science. 2020
Wsu Foundation $23,100 Seattle, WA, US Beach Watchers And Naturalist Program 2020
Seattle Aquarium $150,000 Seattle, WA, US To Fund The We Are Puget Sound Video For Aquarium 2020

Foundations Similar to James M Lea Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($0-$0), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in WA that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.

Foundation Name Total Assets Typical Grant Size Service Area Similarity Match

EIN: 20-2093121 | 13 grants awarded
$0
(≈ Similar)
$21,900
median grant
Prosser, WA
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 20-0184358 | 4 grants awarded
$0
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$25,000
median grant
Shaw Island, WA
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 20-3269055 | 106 grants awarded
$0
(≈ Similar)
$25,000
median grant
Longview, WA
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 20-2470568 | 4 grants awarded
$0
(≈ Similar)
$34,000
median grant
Seattle, WA
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 01-6209987 | 3 grants awarded
$0
(≈ Similar)
$22,976
median grant
Spokane, WA
Same state
100%
Excellent match

Contact Information

Official contact details for James M Lea Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 81-1949537
Website N/A
Address 119 S MAIN ST STE 405 Seattle, WA 98104-2555

Key People (5)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee James M Lea Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

President John Keckemet
Treasurer Sandra Prince
Board Member Mary Anne Petesch
Board Member Christopher Mason
Secretary Charles Frevert

Forms 990-PF

IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.

Form 990-PF Research Tips
  • Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
  • Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
  • Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
  • Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns

About This Foundation Profile

This comprehensive foundation profile for James M Lea Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Application Status
Based on its IRS Form 990-PF filings, this foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications, meaning eligible organizations can apply directly without a prior relationship.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.