Philanthropist Paul G. Allen Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Family Foundation with New Grant Awards
SEATTLE, Wash. – July 15, 2010 – Philanthropist Paul G. Allen commemorated 20 years of philanthropy by announcing today special grants totaling $100,000 awarded to founders of notable nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation also awarded $3.9 million to 41 nonprofits as part of its first round of grants this year.
Launched by Mr. Allen, the Microsoft co-founder, and Jo Lynn Allen in 1990, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening communities by fostering innovation, creating knowledge and promoting social progress. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Allen’s contributions to the Foundation have resulted in more than 3,000 grants totaling over $400 million. Mr. Allen is one of the country’s top philanthropists. In addition to contributions to his family foundation, he has provided $600 million directly to nonprofits he has founded, including the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the Experience Music Project, for a total of over $1 billion in personal giving.
“Since the beginning, our philanthropy has been focused in the Pacific Northwest, where I live and work,” Mr. Allen said. “I’m proud to have helped fund great work done by non-profit groups throughout the region. But there’s always more to do. There are many challenges, both here in the Northwest and around the world that I know will keep us looking for ways to help.
“Today I also want to announce that my philanthropic efforts will continue after my lifetime. I’ve planned for many years now that the majority of my estate will be left to philanthropy to continue the work of the Foundation and to fund non-profit scientific research, like the ground breaking work being done at the Allen Institute for Brain Science. As our philanthropy continues in the years ahead, we will look for new opportunities to make a difference in the lives of future generations.”
Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation, Creativity and Collaboration
Now in its 20th year, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is a longstanding supporter of nonprofit organizations in the Northwest focused on making positive and measurable change. The Foundation’s vision for transforming lives and building healthy communities guides its five priority program funding areas, which include nurturing the arts, engaging children in learning, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, advancing scientific and technological discoveries, and providing economic relief amid tough economic times.
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded a total of $408 million, including $245 million in Washington State; $52 million in Oregon; $8 million each in Montana and Alaska, $4 million in Idaho; and $81 million for multi-state projects. As part of the Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that will have the greatest impact in catalyzing positive change, it has begun to fund global programs with a growing portfolio of grants totaling $10 million.
Five Anniversary Grants Awarded to Nonprofit Founders
In recognition of its 20th anniversary milestone, the Foundation is awarding five special Anniversary grants
totaling $100,000 to honor founders of nonprofits it has supported in the Pacific Northwest. The grants recognize change agents who created organizations that continue to deliver high impact programs for local communities.
"Through our Anniversary grants, we are recognizing leaders who exemplify passion, dedication and the entrepreneurial spirit that has made their organizations succeed," said Jo Lynn Allen, president of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
Each of the founders’ nonprofits has been awarded $20,000 to support the organization’s programs.
The five recipients of the Foundation’s Anniversary grants are:
- Rachel Bristol, Founder and CEO of Oregon Food Bank (Portland, Ore.)
In 1988, Bristol led an effort to merge Oregon Food Share with the Interagency Food Bank to form Oregon Food Bank. Two years later, she became the organization's executive director based on the strength of her leadership in creating the food bank, developing the statewide network and leading its advocacy efforts. Since then, she has built the food bank into a national model as the largest emergency food supplier in Oregon and southwest Washington and advocate of programs and policy to address hunger and its root causes.
- Bridget Cooke, Founder and Executive Director of Adelante Mujeres (Forest Grove, Ore.)
Cooke founded Adelante Mujeres with Sister Barbara Raymond in 2002 as a small, grassroots organization dedicated to the holistic education and empowerment of Latina women and their families to increase their economic stability. The award-winning organization is a pioneer in promoting the self-sufficiency, creativity and viability of Latina immigrants as small business owners through its microenterprise and education programs.
- Jeanne Harmon, Executive Director and Founder of Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (Tacoma, WA)
Harmon has worked tirelessly to increase the effectiveness of teachers in the classroom, particularly new teachers. Through her work, Washington has established a stronger system for supporting new teachers, leading to greater job satisfaction and retention in the profession. Harmon has actively engaged teachers in examining and improving the effectiveness of teacher evaluations as reflected in recently passed state legislation.
- Myra Platt and Jane Jones, Founders of Book-It Repertory Theatre (Seattle, WA)
As founding co-artistic directors of Book-It, Platt and Jones have achieved regional and national acclaim for their successful ability to transform great literature into great theatre through simple and sensitive productions which preserve the narrative text in the spoken word. Their innovative approach, and their mission to inspire people to read, have resulted in the growth of a small artists collective into a prolific production company with over 60 world-premiere adaptations of novels and short stories, as well as one of the most prolific educational outreach programs in the region.
- Ken Stuart, President and Founder of Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (Seattle, WA)
Stuart founded Seattle Biomedical Research Institute in Issaquah in 1976 as Seattle's first global health organization. Now known as Seattle BioMed, they are the largest independent non-profit focused on infectious disease research in Seattle. With active research programs in tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and others, Seattle Biomed is on the leading edge of breakthrough discoveries.
Foundation Awards First Round of 2010 Grants Totaling $3.9 Million
As part of its first round of grants awarded in 2010, today the Foundation also announced $3.9 million in funding to 41 nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. The grants include $2.8 million in Washington State, $560,000 in Oregon, $375,000 in Idaho, $90,000 in Alaska and $50,000 in Montana. A number of the grants in this cycle focus on the arts and culture portfolio as they support fall programming initiatives.
“Over the last 20 years of giving, the Foundation’s core mission and values have remained steadfast. We are committed to supporting vital nonprofits that make a difference in our lives and the health of our communities,” said Susan M. Coliton, vice president of The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
A complete list of the Foundation’s latest grants is available at www.pgafamilyfoundation.org/grantlist.
About The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on making positive and measurable change in the Pacific Northwest. The Foundation’s vision for transforming lives and building healthy communities guides its funding areas, which include nurturing the arts, engaging children in learning, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, advancing scientific and technological discoveries, and providing economic relief amid the downturn. For more information, go to www.pgafamilyfoundation.org.
Media Contacts:
David Postman, Vulcan Inc., (206) 342-2370 or davidp@vulcan.com
Aaron Blank or Lora Lee, (206) 343-1543, aaronblank@feareygroup.com or llee@feareygroup.com
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