COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY

What COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY does

The Community Foundation of Snohomish County is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 94-3188703) headquartered in Everett, Washington, founded in 2001 as the Greater Everett Community Foundation and rebranded to its current name. It operates as the principal community foundation serving Snohomish County, stewarding approximately $62 million in charitable assets across 155 funds and deploying $9.3 million in grants across 516 awards in 2025. The foundation convenes 8 community coalitions and delivers over 3,000 hours of free consulting to more than 200 local nonprofits annually, alongside donor-advised fund administration, fiscal sponsorship, and grant-administration services.

The foundation's revenue model is fee-based and asset-linked: it charges 1.25%–2% administrative and investment fees on endowed funds, 10% on fiscal-sponsorship deposits, and approximately $750 per grant for grant-administration services. Its 2025 investment return was 14.86% against an 8.74% 10-year gross average. Grantmaking is unusually aggressive for the sector, with a 34% payout rate in 2025 versus the 5% IRS minimum, and includes targeted programs such as the 15-50-5 Initiative committing $50K per year for five years to 15 BIPOC-led nonprofits.

Recent strategic activity centers on an impact-investing pivot — a 2024-launched Investment Committee has directed approximately 5% of the portfolio toward local "Main Street" investments — and on the launch of an Independent Investment Management Program for donors holding $250K+ funds. Operational policy includes a $70,000 living-wage minimum for staff. The foundation received a 2025 Gates Foundation Special Recognition Grant, the NAACP Equity Award, and the MLK Beloved Community Award, signaling external validation of its programmatic and equity posture. CEO Karri Matau, appointed in 2019, has led these strategic shifts.

Name

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Legal name

Community Foundation of Snohomish County

Website

https://cf-sc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Community Foundation of Snohomish County is a 501(c)(3) public charity in Everett, Washington, managing $62M across 155 charitable funds and awarding $9.3M in grants to 200+ nonprofits and coalitions throughout Snohomish County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation / Philanthropy Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

Keywords

• Community grantmaking services
• Donor advised funds
• Charitable fund management
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Fiscal sponsorship services

Headquarters

HQ city

Everett

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Administrative & Investment Fees on Endowed Funds: The foundation charges annual administrative and investment fees on endowed donor-advised, designated, community impact, and scholarship funds, ranging from 1.50% to 2.00% based on fund balance. Fees include investment management expenses and are calculated quarterly on average daily balance.
2. Administrative Fees on Non-Endowed/Agency Funds: Non-endowed funds of $250,000 or more are invested in the foundation's pool and charged a 2% fee. Smaller non-endowed funds (under $250,000) are charged 4% or $2,000 annual fee whichever is greater. Agency endowments are charged 1.25%–1.75% depending on balance.
3. Fiscal Sponsorship Fees: The foundation charges a 10% fee on all deposits received through its fiscal sponsorship program for individuals or groups without 501c3 status.
4. Community Impact Fundraising: A 10% fee on deposits is charged for community impact fundraising services.
5. Grant Application Administration Fee: A $750 fee per grant cycle is charged where applicable for grant application administration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Community Foundation of Snohomish County is a 501(c)(3) public charity that manages 155 charitable funds for individual donors, families, and nonprofit agencies in Snohomish County. It connects donors to local causes through donor-advised funds, designated funds, community impact funds, scholarship funds, and agency endowments. The foundation also provides grants, free nonprofit consulting, fiscal sponsorship, and investment management services to support local nonprofits and the broader community.

Product overview

The Community Foundation of Snohomish County operates as a grantmaking public charity offering charitable giving services centered around fund management. The core offerings include various fund types: Donor Advised Funds (flexible giving vehicles), Designated Funds (for specific nonprofits), Community Impact Funds (in Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness, Human Services), Geographic Funds (for specific communities), and Nonprofit Agency Endowments. The foundation provides an online Grant Management System via GrantInterface for applications, an FC Suite platform for fund holder management, and an Independent Investment Management (IIM) Program. Its grant programs include Rick Steves Europe Fund Capacity Grants, Capital Grants for Seniors, and Racial Equity Grants, plus Youth Initiative Grants and Human Services Fund grants. Free nonprofit consulting, training, and networking meetings support local organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donor Advised Fund A flexible charitable giving vehicle where donors can recommend grants to nonprofits throughout the year while the foundation handles administrative work and IRS requirements.
• Designated Fund A fund that supports a specific nonprofit organization, which can be named in honor or memory of a loved one and receives annual grants.
• Community Impact Funds Broad funding categories addressing community needs in Arts & Culture, Education, Environment & Animals, Health & Wellness, and Human Services where donors can contribute any amount.
• Geographic Fund A fund supporting a specific community or demographic group such as youth, seniors, or particular geographic areas in Snohomish County.
• Nonprofit Agency Fund Endowment funds for agencies that include basic service of fund management and one check per year plus one meeting per year.
• Fiscal Sponsorship A community service offering tax-deductions to donors for projects by new charities without 501c3 status and community groups, with a 10% fee on all deposits.
• Independent Investment Management (IIM) Program Allows donors to retain their existing investment advisor while transferring assets into a donor-advised fund, with minimum fund size of $250,000.
• Rick Steves Europe Fund – Capacity Grants Capacity building grants for Snohomish County nonprofits to invest in infrastructure improving efficiency and effectiveness of fundraising, finances, leadership, and sustainability. Opens July 17, 2026.
• Rick Steves Europe Fund – Capital Grants for Seniors Grants up to $5,000 for construction or renovation of senior-serving facilities and equipment for senior services. Opens October 5, 2026.
• Rick Steves Europe Fund – Racial Equity Grants Grants up to $5,000 focused on strengthening policies and systems to improve health, social, racial, and economic outcomes through systems change in Snohomish County.
• Youth Initiative Grant Grants up to $5,000 supporting youth programming for individuals under age 20, including mental health, social services, recreational activities, and mentorship. Applications open October 16, 2026.
• Human Services Fund (Bob Drewel) Two-year grants supporting organizations meeting critical human service needs including basic needs, human services, and services for individuals with disabilities. Applications open August 2027.
• Free Nonprofit Consulting and Training Individualized consultation, training, and workshops covering all aspects of nonprofit operations including HR, budgeting, fundraising, board development, and strategic planning, provided at no cost to nonprofits serving Snohomish County.
• Online Grant Management System An online grant application and management platform accessible at grantinterface.com for nonprofits to apply for and manage grants.
• FC Suite Fund Management Platform Online platform for fund holders to manage their charitable funds, view statements, and process donations.

Quantifiable outcome

• $9.3M in grants awarded to 516 recipients in 2025
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Connect Casino Road (CCR)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Connect Casino Road has been fiscally sponsored by CFSC since 2016. CCR is a collaborative community initiative in Everett dedicated to supporting families, strengthening neighborhood connections, and advancing equitable access to resources. CFSC serves as its fiscal sponsor, providing tax-deductibility for donors. CFSC also served as the backbone organization for CCR for nine years, supporting resource navigation, community events, and family support services.
• Tulalip TribescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFSC has deepened relationships with the Tulalip Tribes, including participation in harvesting events, adding a Tulalip member to its Investment Committee, and continued funding of the Tulalip Foundation and Quilceda Elementary cultural gardens. CFSC has also adopted guidelines for accountability and relationship-building with Indigenous communities.
• Stillaguamish TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFSC participates in community events with the Stillaguamish Tribe, including harvesting events, as part of its land acknowledgement and reconciliation commitments.
• Sauk-Suiattle TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFSC acknowledges the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe as one of three federally recognized tribes in Snohomish County and is committed to building relationships through its Beyond Acknowledgement document.
• LISC Puget SoundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTina Vlasaty, Deputy Director of LISC Puget Sound, serves on CFSC's Investment Committee. LISC works in community and economic development in Snohomish County, including in the Village on Casino Road area.
• Scholar FundminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerScholar Fund facilitated a five-hour technical assistance training for 26 participants representing 12 nonprofits, covering digital tools, social media strategies, and AI for research, as part of the Community Reinvestment Project.
• One Voice Snohomish CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFSC partners with One Voice Snohomish County, a coalition focused on community collaboration and advocacy in Snohomish County.
• Gates Foundation Funder NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFSC joined a Gates Foundation funder network in 2013 focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion with other community foundations and funders.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Philanthropic Trust: Large independent DAF sponsor with national reach, offering donor-advised funds and institutional giving services — directly overlaps CFSC's HNW DAF and planned-giving offerings.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Seattle-headquartered grantmaking giant with a special-recognition grant to CFSC; relevant as a regional incumbent funder and a Gates Foundation funder-network peer since 2013.
• Schwab Charitable: National DAF sponsor under Schwab's platform, capturing HNW donor flow from financial advisors — direct competitor to CFSC's IIM program for the same advisor-referred client pool.
• Fidelity Charitable: The largest U.S. donor-advised fund sponsor with multi-billion-dollar AUM, competing head-to-head for the same HNW donors via DAFs but at vastly greater scale and lower cost.
• Tides Foundation: Values-aligned grantmaking and fiscal-sponsorship intermediary serving progressive philanthropy — directly overlaps CFSC's equity mission and its 10% fiscal-sponsorship offering.

Direct peers

• Greater Washington Community Foundation: Long-standing community foundation serving the DC region with DAFs, agency endowments, and racial-equity grantmaking — directly comparable in operating model and product mix.
• Whatcom Community Foundation: Regional community foundation based in Bellingham, WA, operating donor-advised funds and community grants within a single Pacific Northwest county — close analogue in scale, scope, and grantmaking focus.
• Inland Empire Community Foundation: Regional community foundation serving California's Inland Empire with donor-advised funds and equity-focused grantmaking — comparable mission, similar AUM scale, and matching community-led GTM.
• Seattle Foundation: Washington state's largest community foundation, serving the greater Puget Sound region with donor-advised funds, grantmaking, and nonprofit consulting — directly comparable in mission, product set, and geography to CFSC.

Emerging players

• Foundation Source: Specialist provider of back-office services for private foundations and an alternative to community-foundation DAFs — competes for the same HNW clients who might otherwise establish a fund at CFSC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-foundation-of-snohomish-county

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY