NET WORTH: $1.1 billion
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Trilogy Equity Partners; wireless industry
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Human Services & Humanitarian, Health
OVERVIEW: John Stanton and his wife Theresa Gillespie move their philanthropy through the Aven Foundation, which gave away around $1.5 million in a recent year. The couple's giving through their foundation is laser-focused on the Pacific Northwest. Youth organizations appear to be a top priority.
BACKGROUND: John W. Stanton graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Whitman College and an MBA from Harvard University. During the 1980s, he served as COO and vice chairman of McCaw Cellular. He also served as chairman and CEO of Western Wireless Corp, as well as VoiceStream Wireless, which was acquired by Deutsche Telekom and subsequently renamed T-Mobile USA. Stanton went on to co-found Trilogy Equity Partners, a private equity fund that invests in early-stage growth opportunities in the wireless ecosystem, and Trilogy International Partners, a wireless operator in Central and South America and New Zealand.
Theresa E. Gillespie received a BBA with a concentration in accounting from the University of Washington. She worked in accounting before becoming a wireless executive, serving as executive vice president of Western Wireless Corp and also as CFO of Western Wireless Corp. Gillespie went on to co-found Trilogy Equity Partners.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Stanton is also chairman and CEO of the Seattle Mariners. The couple's philanthropy includes an interest in youth sports. They've supported Bellevue Baseball Club, for instance. Other grantees include University of Washington Foundation, Ryther Child Center, Center for Children & Youth Justice, College Success Foundation, First Place School, Harvard Business School, Rainier Scholars, Summer Search, and Year Up. Gillespie has also served on the board of Washington State Opportunity Scholarship.
HUMAN SERVICES, HEALTH & HUMANITARIAN: Gillespie is a trustee of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, which the family supports. Support has gone to Trilogy Recovery Community, United Way of King County, the Salvation Army, and Esperanza, which works in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
OTHER: Funds have gone to Seattle Foundation, a "community philanthropy and charity organization partner, which unites passion and discipline to create lasting change."
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the couple to stick with their interest areas.
CONTACT:
The Aven Foundation pre-selects charitable organizations to receive grants but also accepts petitions from other charitable organizations to receive grants. Below is an address:
Aven Foundation
P.O. Box 465
Medina, WA 98039
LINK: Trilogy International Partners