Impact 100 Seattle Grantmaking Philosophy

At Impact 100 Seattle, we practice trust-based philanthropy to foster lasting change in the Puget Sound region. Since 2020, we've supported small, community-based nonprofits in Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, Education, Environment, and Children and Families with unrestricted grants. By cultivating strong partnerships and addressing unhealthy power dynamics in traditional philanthropy, we aim to offer a unique and empowering giving experience.

Our Grantmaking Principles

Partner for Transformative Change

We support community-based organizations that address root causes of social issues and disparities affecting people in the Puget Sound Region.

Trust-Based Philanthropy

We work to move power toward those closest to community needs while reducing their burden.

Embrace Risk

We reward and encourage new ways of thinking and acting to increase resilience and impact.

Listen, Learn and Evolve

We are on a learning journey with each other and our partners.

What We Fund

Impact 100 Seattle recognizes the many needs that exist within our community and values all the work that is being done by local nonprofits to address them. We have chosen to focus our support on organizations that meet the following criteria. Please only apply if you meet these criteria. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible, reducing the burden on potential grant applicants; therefore, if you have questions about your organization’s eligibility, please contact us.

Principle-based Criteria:

• Organizations that seek to reduce inequities that exist in the communities they serve.
• Organizations striving for ‘Transformative Change’ to address the root causes of the problem, not just its symptoms.
• Community-based organizations—those that are created by and run by people from the communities they serve. 
• Organizations that have a leadership team and board that reflect the community they are serving.
• Organizations that work with under-served populations.

Operational Criteria: 

• Size: Under $2MM in annual revenue
• IRS status: 501(c)3 or fiscally sponsored through a 501(c)3 organization
• Geography: Primarily serve the Puget Sound area  
• Areas addressed: Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, Education, Environment, Children and Families

We do not consider:

• Organizations whose primary purpose is religious or politically partisan in nature
• 501(c)4 organizations
• Organizations that are purely direct service such as food banks and temporary housing assistance