our grantmaking process

The Raikes Foundation makes grants in three core program areas: Education, Youth Homelessness, and Impact-Driven Philanthropy. We also make a limited number of community grants and grants for special projects. Proposals are by invitation only. We make the majority of our grants to organizations we have identified. We do not accept unsolicited proposals. 

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as public charities under section 509(a)(1), (2) or (3) of the Code. Public organizations designated under section 170(c) of the Code are also eligible. The Raikes Foundation does not make grants to individuals or to organizations outside the United States. 

The Raikes Foundation does not fund: individuals; organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, race, national origin or citizenship, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief; or religious purposes unless grant activities address the needs of the wider community without regard to religious beliefs.

Even if our grants and strategies don’t fully succeed, we only fail if we don’t learn.

– Jeff Raikes

List of Grants

Organization Requests Award Date Amount Program
SchoolHouse Connection American Rescue Plan - Homeless Children and Youth Sprint​ 12/01/23 $85,000.00 Youth Homelessness
American University American University School of Education Dean’s Discretionary Operating Funds 12/04/23 $10,000.00 Education
Neighborhood Funders Group Amplify Fund 10/21/21 $50,000.00 Community Giving
Neighborhood Funders Group Amplify Fund Core Operations 11/01/23 $25,000.00 RED Base
Grantmakers For Education Annual Conference Sponsorship (2023) 05/03/23 $25,000.00 Community Giving
Legal Counsel for Youth and Children Annual Luncheon Sponsorship (2023) 10/29/23 $1,000.00 Community Giving
Mockingbird Society Annual Luncheon Sponsorship (2023) 09/28/23 $5,000.00 Community Giving
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Annual Membership (2021) 04/26/21 $2,200.00 Community Giving
Washington Womens Foundation Annual Membership (2021) 06/11/21 $2,500.00 Community Giving
Neighborhood Funders Group Annual Membership (2021) 10/21/21 $15,000.00 Community Giving
Social Venture Partners (Seattle) Annual Membership (2021) 07/22/21 $18,000.00 Community Giving
Independent Sector Annual Membership (2021) 07/29/21 $12,500.00 Community Giving
National Center for Family Philanthropy Annual Membership (2021) 07/07/21 $10,000.00 Community Giving
Donors of Color Network Inc. Annual Membership (2021) 08/27/21 $25,000.00 Impact Driven Philanthropy
Grantmakers For Effective Organizations Annual Membership (2022) 02/10/22 $7,390.00 Community Giving
Philanthropy Northwest Annual Membership (2022) 02/10/22 $19,405.00 Community Giving
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Annual Membership (2022) 02/17/22 $2,500.00 Community Giving
Neighborhood Funders Group Annual Membership (2022) 09/28/22 $15,000.00 Community Giving
National Center for Family Philanthropy Annual Membership (2022) 09/28/22 $10,000.00 Community Giving
Association of Black Foundation Executives Inc. Annual Membership (2022) 12/01/22 $2,500.00 Community Giving
Social Venture Partners (Seattle) Annual Membership (2022) 09/28/22 $18,000.00 Community Giving
Donors of Color Network Inc. Annual Membership (2022) 11/15/22 $25,000.00 Impact Driven Philanthropy
Independent Sector Annual Membership (2022) 09/19/22 $12,500.00 Trustee Directed Gifts
Washington Womens Foundation Annual Membership (2022) 06/27/22 $2,500.00 Trustee Directed Gifts (Historical)
Funders Together To End Homelessness Inc Annual Membership (2022) 07/27/21 $10,000.00 Youth Homelessness
Grantmakers For Effective Organizations Annual Membership (2023) 01/31/23 $8,500.00 Community Giving
National Center for Family Philanthropy Annual Membership (2023) 10/21/23 $10,000.00 Community Giving
Neighborhood Funders Group Annual Membership (2023) 10/21/23 $15,000.00 Community Giving
Social Venture Partners (Seattle) Annual Membership (2023) 11/08/23 $18,000.00 Community Giving
Association of Black Foundation Executives Inc. Annual Membership (2023) 11/30/23 $2,500.00 Community Giving
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Annual Membership (2023) 04/04/23 $2,500.00 Community Giving
Donors of Color Network Inc. Annual Membership (2023) 10/26/23 $50,000.00 Impact Driven Philanthropy
Independent Sector Annual Membership (2023) 07/31/23 $12,500.00 Trustee Directed (Recurring)
Washington Womens Foundation Annual Membership (2023) 07/05/23 $2,500.00 Trustee Directed (Recurring)
Funders Together To End Homelessness Inc Annual Membership (2023) 07/19/22 $10,000.00 Youth Homelessness
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Annual Membership (2024) 02/06/24 $2,500.00 Community Giving
Grantmakers For Effective Organizations Annual Membership (2024) 02/16/24 $8,500.00 Community Giving
Philanthropy Northwest Annual Membership (2024) 02/07/24 $20,000.00 Community Giving
OneAmerica Annual Open House (2023) 06/21/23 $5,000.00 Community Giving
The Schott Foundation for Public Education Anti-Racist and Culturally Responsive Schools Organizing Partnership 11/15/21 $250,000.00 RED - IDPI Cross Cut
American Association of School Administrators Inc BELE Network: AASA Equipping Districts to Advance Educational Equity via ESSER Plans & Implementation (2021-2022) 07/22/21 $50,000.00 Education
Collaborative For Academic Social and Emotional Learning BELE Network: CASEL District Network & Field Leadership 08/01/23 $750,000.00 Education
New Venture Fund BELE Network: Communities for Just Schools General Operating Support (2021-2023) 09/17/21 $500,000.00 Education
National Equity Project BELE Network: District Network & Field Catalyst Strategy Development 08/01/23 $1,500,000.00 Education
American Association of School Administrators Inc BELE Network: Enlistment & Influence for Equity w/ ARPA Guidance 11/03/22 $150,000.00 Education
National Equity Project BELE Network: Equipping Chief Equity Officers to Drive Transformation (2021-2023) 07/26/21 $150,000.00 Education
Education Resource Strategies Inc. BELE Network: Equipping Chief Equity Officers to Drive Transformation (2021-2023) 07/26/21 $200,000.00 Education
Council of Chief State School Officers BELE Network: Equipping State Teams to Drive Equity Transformation 07/26/21 $300,000.00 Education
President And Fellows Of Harvard College BELE Network: False Prophets and Wise Choices: A Humane Approach to School Reform 09/01/23 $250,000.00 Education
Education Leaders of Color, Inc. BELE Network: General Operating Support 05/12/21 $175,000.00 Education