What ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter does

ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in Washington State on August 11, 1978 (Tax ID 91-1042292), operating as one of 17 chapters under the ARCS Foundation National umbrella. The chapter's core function is raising and deploying charitable funds to support PhD scholars at the University of Washington and Washington State University, awarding $22,500 per scholar over a three-year period ($7,500 annually). Over its 40+ year operating history, the chapter has established 67 endowments (51 at UW since 1990), supported 35+ departments at UW and over 50 academic departments across both universities, and is credited with launching more than 1,200 careers at UW alone, with cumulative donations to UW exceeding $10 million by 2008.

The chapter runs an all-volunteer operational model with 7 listed employees, generating funds through a tiered donation structure: individual contributions ranging from $500 to $10,000+, corporate partnerships at $2,500 to $25,000+, endowed scholar awards at $22,500 each, and endowment contributions of $200,000 to $250,000+. Named corporate and foundation partners include Washington Research Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USI, PACCAR Inc., McCaw Family Foundation, and Zevenbergen Capital Investments. A 2025 fundraiser event alone grossed $1.3 million, indicating continued fundraising capacity. Strategically, the chapter's value proposition sits at the intersection of donor tax-advantaged philanthropy and STEM PhD pipeline funding, with multi-decade endowment commitments that lock in institutional relationships with the two partner universities.

Name

ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter

Legal name

Achievement Rewards for College Scientists, Seattle Chapter

Website

https://seattle.arcsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that funds PhD scholars at the University of Washington and Washington State University through individual donations, corporate partnerships, and endowments, having launched 1,200+ careers and established 67 endowments since 1978.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Scholarship Foundation

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development (EDALAOAC)

Keywords

• Graduate student scholarships
• STEM doctoral funding
• Nonprofit scholarship foundation
• Endowed scholar awards
• Corporate philanthropy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Members and supporters make charitable contributions at various levels ($500-$10,000+), with specific giving tiers: $10,000 Innovator, $5,000 Visionary, $2,500 Patron, $1,000 Benefactor, $500 Supporter. Donations support ARCS Scholar Awards and programs at UW and WSU.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support ARCS Scholar Awards with gifts at partnership levels: Platinum ($25,000+), Gold ($10,000+), Silver ($5,000+), Bronze ($2,500+). Sponsorship includes benefits detailed in annual luncheon materials.
3. ARCS Scholar Awards: Each ARCS Scholar Award of $22,500 funds one student over a three-year period at UW or WSU. Payments made as $7,500 annually. May be shared between donors or established as named awards.
4. Endowed Scholar Awards: Endowments establish permanent funding for ARCS Scholars. Minimum requirements: $250,000 at University of Washington and $200,000 at Washington State University. A $50,000 matching incentive is available for new UW endowments. To date, 67 endowments have been established.
5. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Donors can include ARCS Foundation in wills, trusts, and estate plans to leave a legacy. The organization offers planned giving information and coordinates with attorneys for bequests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that provides financial support to PhD students in science, engineering, and medicine at the University of Washington and Washington State University. Core offerings include ARCS Scholar Awards of $22,500 over three years in unrestricted funding, endowed scholar awards ($200,000-$250,000+ for perpetual funding), corporate partnership sponsorship programs at tiered levels, and planned giving/estate gift programs. The foundation operates as a volunteer-driven scholarship organization funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events like the annual 'A Night to Ignite Science.'

Product overview

ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (Tax ID 91-1042292, incorporated August 11, 1978) that operates as a scholarship foundation rather than a technology company. Its primary offerings consist of ARCS Scholar Awards providing $22,500 over three years to PhD students at the University of Washington and Washington State University, ARCS Endowed Scholar Awards (perpetual endowments of $200,000-$250,000+), and a Corporate Partnership Program with tiered sponsorship levels. The organization facilitates donor engagement through annual fundraising events and planned giving opportunities. The foundation maintains academic partnerships with UW and WSU, supporting students across more than 50 departments in science, engineering, and medicine disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARCS Scholar Awards $22,500 in unrestricted financial support over three years (paid as $7,500 annually in the Fall) to PhD students in science, engineering, and medicine at the University of Washington and Washington State University. Recipients must be U.S. citizens maintaining a 3.5+ GPA. Funds are flexible for student use in research and education.
• ARCS Endowed Scholar Awards Perpetual endowment funding for ARCS Scholars with minimum requirements of $250,000 at the University of Washington and $200,000 at Washington State University. A $50,000 matching incentive is available for new UW endowments. Endowments may bear the donor's name or honor someone they choose, and provide ongoing named-scholar funding across multiple academic years.
• Corporate Partnership Program Tiered corporate sponsorship program with partnership levels at Platinum ($25,000+), Gold ($10,000+), Silver ($5,000+), and Bronze ($2,500+), supporting ARCS Scholar Awards and annual corporate partner luncheons. Benefits are detailed in annual luncheon materials and tailored to sponsor needs.
• Planned Giving and Estate Gifts Opportunities for donors to leave a charitable legacy to ARCS Foundation through wills, trusts, and estate plans, creating enduring support for future ARCS Scholars. The organization coordinates with donors' attorneys for bequests and provides planned giving information.
• Annual Fundraising Events Annual signature fundraising events including 'A Night to Ignite Science' featuring keynote speakers (including Nobel laureates), scholar presentations, and corporate partner recognition. The 2025 event raised $1.3 million to ignite science in Washington.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200+ careers launched in science, engineering, and medicine at UW alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 core and major.

• University of WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner40+ year partnership with UW's Graduate School and 35 departments supporting PhD students in science, engineering, and medicine. More than 1,200 careers launched; 51 endowed fellowship funds established. ARCS Seattle Chapter recognized as UW Presidential Laureate for cumulative donations exceeding $10 million.
• Washington State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting doctoral students across WSU's agricultural, veterinary, engineering, and science programs. Funded departments include Animal Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, and Global Health. WSU Graduate School Dean Bill Andrefsky has praised ARCS support for doctoral students.
• Washington Research FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor endowment donor to both UW and WSU ARCS programs. Multiple ARCS Scholar Awards funded (100+ designations at UW, 115+ at WSU). Partnership supports researchers across disciplines including chemistry, bioengineering, and pharmacy.
• Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndowment established in the School of Public Health at UW. Multiple ARCS Scholars supported in Global Health and Epidemiology research. The foundation has also recognized the Simpson family with the Gates Volunteer Service Award.
• USImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Northwest insurance and financial services company supporting ARCS because of the future impact scholars will have on the vitality of the Puget Sound region. USI values producing thought leaders in science and technology critical to the business community's success.
• PACCAR Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal truck manufacturer and technology company recognized by ARCS Seattle Chapter for corporate partnership support. Multiple ARCS Scholar Awards funded in engineering and related fields.
• Keith & Mary Kay McCaw Family FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond Endowment established supporting multiple ARCS Scholars across years. Multiple designations at UW supporting Molecular & Cellular Biology, Bioengineering, and other science fields.
• Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor endowment donor with multiple fellowship designations supporting scholars in Molecular & Cellular Biology, Genome Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, and Biostatistics at UW.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hertz Foundation: Funds graduate PhD fellowships in applied physical, biological, and engineering sciences — directly competing for the same elite STEM PhD candidate pool that ARCS serves, with a national scope.
• Washington Research Foundation: Existing ARCS endowment partner that funds graduate research and technology transfer at UW and WSU. Directly comparable as a Washington-based STEM research grantmaker with overlapping institutional priorities.
• ARCS Foundation Northern California Chapter: Sister ARCS chapter funding graduate STEM scholars at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and other Bay Area institutions — identical mission, donor model, and scholar award structure to the Seattle chapter.
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: Provides unrestricted graduate-school funding to outstanding immigrants and children of immigrants — closely parallels ARCS Scholar Awards' structure of unrestricted multi-year graduate support.

Emerging players

• Smith Richardson Foundation: Private foundation providing graduate fellowships including the StratCom and Strategy & Policy Fellows Programs. Comparable in funding graduate scholars but with a policy/strategy orientation rather than pure STEM.
• Beckman Young Investigator Program / Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation: Private foundation funding early-career chemistry and life sciences researchers. Comparable in supporting high-caliber STEM researchers in academia, though focused on early-career faculty rather than graduate students.

Broad incumbents

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP): Federal funder providing multi-year graduate fellowships to STEM PhD students nationwide. ARCS Scholars frequently overlap with NSF GRFP recipients, making it a direct talent-pool competitor and complementary program.
• ARCS Foundation National: Parent organization governing all 17 ARCS chapters nationwide with nearly 10,000 alumni. Directly comparable mission of funding graduate STEM scholars, but operates at national scale rather than a single regional chapter.
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program: Major biomedical research funder supporting early-career scientists. Overlaps with ARCS's life-sciences and biomedical scholar funding at scale, though HHMI's mission is broader research rather than graduate-only support.
• American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fellowships: Long-running national funder of graduate fellowships for women in STEM and other fields. Comparable unrestricted multi-year graduate funding model, though broader in scope than ARCS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arcsseattle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter