Editor's note: This article was revised and updated on 9/10/2021.
The Seattle area is in no short supply of tech philanthropists who have found industry success and are now giving back to their local communities. Furthermore, some of these tech leaders have partnered up to become power couples with exponentially greater giving power in the Pacific Northwest. One such couple is John Stanton and Theresa Gillespie, who created the Aven Foundation to channel their philanthropic pursuits.
Here are some details about the Aven Foundation and how it awards grants in the state of Washington.
Background of the Aven Foundation
Stanton and Gillespie created the Aven Foundation in 2000 after finding success in the wireless technology industry and investing in related early-stage opportunities. Over the years, Stanton has held top leadership positions at McCaw Cellular and been the CEO of Western Wireless Corp. and VoiceStream Wireless. Gillespie has also served as a top wireless executive at Western Wireless Corp. Together, they co-founded Trilogy Equity Partners, which builds upon their expertise in the wireless industry and invests in emerging wireless ecosystem efforts.
Top Grantmaking Interests
In its grantmaking, the Aven Foundation tends to focus on youth-related causes close to home. The foundation is based in Medina, Washington, and keeps the bulk of its grantmaking in this region.
Since Stanton is the CEO and chairman of the Seattle Mariners, the foundation has big interests in youth sports and has funded local baseball clubs. The couple, through their foundation, also supports other nonprofit education efforts, scholarships, and schools.
In addition to youth causes, the couple has interests in health, human services, and broader humanitarian efforts. For example, the foundation has been a significant supporter of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where Gillespie has served as a trustee. Meanwhile, the Aven Foundation is a frequent supporter of the United Way of King County and the Salvation Army.
Aven Accepts Unsolicited Funding Requests
Although the Aven Foundation does not have a website to share more detailed insights about its processes and priorities, it is open to hearing about new ideas from local nonprofits. According to recent tax records, Aven accepts unsolicited requests from charitable organizations in need of grants. At the same time, it also preselects additional organizations and awards grants based on an invitation-only process.
There are no specific forms to use and no deadlines to adhere to in order to apply for an Aven Foundation grant. Annual grantmaking has been between $1 million and $4 million in recent years, making it an excellent Pacific Northwest funder to get in touch with at any time of the year. Since the Aven Foundation flies under the radar, it’s possible that grantseekers may experience less competition for funds that address a variety of local issues.
You can read about more Washington-focused grantmakers in IP's Northwest funding guide.