March 21, 2005

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (PGAFF) announced its most recent round of grants to 98 nonprofit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Foundation reviews and awards grants twice per year and for the current application period, the Foundation contributed $7 million to organizations in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

Named one of the top 10 philanthropists in the nation, Paul Allen’s lifetime giving totals more than $800 million and includes PGAFF grants and personal gifts to a wide range of nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Over the last year alone, the Foundation has contributed more than $16 million to health and human service and arts organizations in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. In just over a decade, the Foundation has awarded approximately $250 million to organizations that support social and community development, youth engagement and arts programs throughout the region.

“The Allen family has always been a part of the Northwest community and are proud to be able to make meaningful contributions to the nonprofit organizations that are vital to the health and well-being of the Pacific Northwest,” said Susan M. Coliton, senior director of the Foundation. “Both Paul Allen and Jody Patton have sought out multiple ways to improve the quality of life in this region. Their unwavering commitment to philanthropy is realized through supporting organizations that have a measurable impact on the community and have been instrumental in creating and sustaining social, cultural, and economic assets in our community.”

"The Allen Foundation continues to be one of most progressive funders not only in our region, but also in the nation,” said Laura Penn, managing director of Intiman Theatre, which received a challenge grant for a technology initiative. “The Foundation’s far-sighted ability to comprehend the impact that technology can have on our theatre community – and to use that awareness to help advance our work and internal efficiencies – is all too rare. Its support of the Tessitura Consortium, and our ability to leverage that support through the 1:1 match, will not only strengthen the capacity of the five constituent institutions, but will directly serve the more than 900,000 patrons who pass through our doors each year."

To view Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grants awarded in Oregon, click here.

ABOUT THE PAUL G. ALLEN FAMILY FOUNDATION
Launched in 2004 through the consolidation of Paul Allen’s six private foundations (first established in1988), the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on making positive and measurable change in the Pacific Northwest. The mission of the Foundation is to build healthy communities and advance social progress through four strategic programs that nurture arts and cultural endeavors, engage children more deeply in the learning process, respond to the needs of vulnerable populations, and advance scientific and technological discoveries that expand our understanding of the universe. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation reviews and awards grants twice per year, and accepts applications from eligible organizations located in, or serving the populations of, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Visit the Foundation online.
ABOUT PAUL G. ALLEN
Named one of the top 10 philanthropists in the nation, with lifetime giving totaling more than $800 million, Allen seeks to improve the quality of life in Pacific Northwest communities through the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. He co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975, is the founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc., chairman of Charter Communications (a broadband multimedia company); and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Allen is the sponsor of SpaceShipOne, winner of the international Ansari X-Prize competition; founder of Experience Music Project (Seattle’s critically acclaimed music museum) and the Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame; creator of the $100 million Allen Institute for Brain Science and its Allen Brain Atlas initiative; owner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL and Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchises; and, founder of Vulcan Productions, the independent film production company behind HARD CANDY, FAR FROM HEAVEN, the PBS series Evolution, and The Blues, executive produced by Martin Scorsese. To learn more about Allen click here.