Jabe Blumenthal and Julie Edsforth
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Microsoft
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Environment, Social Change
OVERVIEW: Jabe Blumenthal and his wife Julie Edsforth move their philanthropy through the SB Schaar & PK Whelpton Foundation, which gave away close to $350,000 in a recent year. The couple spread their money around modestly to quite a few organizations. Environmental and social justice causes are top issues.
BACKGROUND: Jabe Blumenthal, a Seattle native, graduated from Yale University in 1982 with a degree in applied mathematics and went to work for Microsoft, designing the first version of Excel and becoming the company’s first Program Manager. In 1994, he left Microsoft to teach mathematics and physics at his alma mater, Lakeside High School in Seattle, where he was head of the science department.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Julie cofounded Powerful Voices, an organization which “fosters adolescent girls' development by providing programs and promoting social justice so girls can realize their dreams, engage their communities and shape a better world.” She also cofounded Northwest Girls Coalition. Via their foundation, the couple have supported Center for Child & Youth Justice, Powerful Voices, College Access Now, Giddens School, Yale University, Washington Green Schools, and Whitman College (Julie is an alumna).
ENVIRONMENT & SOCIAL CHANGE: Jabe is an active environmentalist and first became interested in wilderness conservation. He teamed up with Conservation Northwest, helping to protect Washington’s Loomis Forest. As he became more involved, he shifted to climate change and joined the board for Climate Solutions. He went on co-found the Progress Alliance of Washington, whose mission is to “build a permanent and powerful social change movement in Washington state supported by a network of committed donors.” The family supports Progress Alliance of Washington via their foundation. Other grantees have included Climate Solutions, Social Justice Fund, NRDC, Northwest Energy Coalition, and Foundation for Glacier and Environmental Research.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the couple to remain focused on their established interest areas.
CONTACT:
The foundation accept applications at the address below:
Dan Kovarik
10655 NE Fourth Street, Suite 510
Bellevue, WA 98004
