The Fales Foundation Trust was established in 1985 by Gilbert R. Fales, a long-time Seattle resident. The Foundation was established to provide financial support to social service agencies addressing issues of homelessness and hunger, and to artistic and cultural organizations in the city of Seattle.

Areas of Interest

Approximately 75% of the annual grant budget is awarded to organizations serving the homeless and hungry.
(Funding in this category is directed to groups working to prevent homelessness, or to groups serving a homeless or near-homeless constituency.)

Approximately 25% of the annual grant budget is awarded to various areas of the arts and cultural organizations and programs.
(Funding in this category is directed solely towards ongoing, educational and community-based programs providing arts and cultural opportunities for youth from underserved constituencies. We particularly encourage projects addressing the foundation’s primary funding areas of homelessness and hunger.)

Strong emphasis in this category is directed towards community-based arts programs related to issues of homelessness and hunger, providing arts opportunities for underserved constituencies.

Areas of Interest

Approximately $200,000 is awarded each year. Average grant size: $1,000 to $4,000.

After receiving five consecutive annual grants, a group is asked to wait one year before re-applying for funds.

The Foundation will support only:

• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) groups in the city of Seattle that meet the above criteria. (Groups located in areas contiguous to Seattle, and serving primarily a Seattle population, or targeting a project specifically to Seattle residents, are also eligible to apply.)
• Organizations with successful program capability, sound fiscal policies and responsible management.
• Organizations in existence for three years or more.
• Preference is given to organizations receiving past support from the Fales Foundation.

The Foundation will NOT support:

• Capital campaigns or expenditures.
• Loans or investments.
• Fundraising events.
• Projects of a political or religious nature.
• Individual requests for research or scholarships.
• Computer, software, or office equipment purchases.
• Projects of an individual artist, even if under the sponsorship of a 501(c)3 organization.
• Video or film productions; book publications.
• One-time or short-term concerts, productions, or arts events.