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Investing in Organizations Using Creative Solutions -
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Investing in Organizations Using Creative Solutions
We believe in the power of creative collaboration to transform people and communities
Philanthropists are investors seeking the ultimate return on investment: healthy and vibrant communities. At the Mark Torrance Foundation (MTF), we invest in people and organizations with the potential to strengthen communities locally and globally.
When I first began my journey in philanthropy, I was most inspired by those who were taking on social and environmental challenges with new and creative approaches. They taught me early on that success comes from collaboration and shared vision.
My first endeavors with MTF were lessons in the value of connections. We saw that the best solutions come when organizations work together with shared purpose. Our approach evolved to view investment as not simply a financial transaction but a dynamic relationship. A relationship where funders, grantees and other partners share expertise and resources to build a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Today MTF continues to learn and evolve. Our aim is to understand the challenges facing our communities and how we can partner in creating lasting change. We are entering a new and exciting period of growth where our giving portfolio will grow both geographically and into new issues. The results of our work will be measured in many ways. We know our ultimate success will be found in collaboration with people and organizations in order to create healthy and vibrant communities.
Mark Torrance, Founder
Since 2003, the Mark Torrance Foundation
has invested more than $8 million in 160 organizations
in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Providing Green Plate Special with a permanent home for their healthy eating programs for young people.
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Working together to reduce suicide risk in Washington
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Bicycling for a better world - Cycling has the potential to transform cities.
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You must be a non-profit, tax exempt organization as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code to submit a grant application. The Board of Directors meets twice annually, at which time funding decisions are made. Please email a brief description of your project and request to Karin Cirillo at mtfinfo@tobagroup.com
If the project meets the mission of the Foundation and is of interest, you will be contacted with additional information, and a grant request form.
The Mark Torrance Foundation is a non-profit organization as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
View Our IRS Letter of Determination
Mark Torrance is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of the Mark Torrance Foundation. Since forming the foundation in 2000, Mark has guided its work supporting hundreds of non-profit organizations working to create healthy and vibrant communities.
A native of Seattle, Mark attended Gonzaga Prep and The University of Washington. He founded Yesco Foreground Music which merged with Muzak LLP. He went on to found Photo Disc which combined with Getty Communications Ltd. from London to form Getty Images, Inc.
Mark now runs The Toba Group, a single family office which oversees family holdings in real estate, publishing, communications and other ventures. He has served on the Boards of the Nature Conservancy, the Pacific Science Center, The Northwest Children's Fund and others.
Chris Birkeland is an expert in finance and operations for small, fast growing companies. His background includes various roles as a business consultant and investor as well as eight years as vice president of finance and operations for PhotoDisc, Inc. (Getty Images) and 20 years at Sugar Mountain Capital. As a partner at Sugar Mountain Capital and VP Production, Chris is responsible for the business development and operations development of companies such as Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Pasta & Co., Sugar Mountain Livestock and other various portfolio companies.
Currently Chris is heading up eCommerce and business strategy for RPI Print and Blurb.com; innovators in print-on-demand services worldwide.
Chris has served on the board of the Ackerley Group, a publicly traded diversified media company, and serves as president and trustee of The Bishop Fleet Foundation. Chris is a graduate of the University of Southern California entrepreneurial program.
Mike Mathieu is an entrepreneur focused on using the power of technology to advance the common good. As Chairman of Front Seat, he has served as an active founder, investor, or advisor to dozens of civic, political, and for-profit tech startups. Mike is co-founder of Walk Score and founder and former CEO of All Star Directories, an INC 500-listed online marketing company serving the higher education market, and he spent a decade at Microsoft where he was general manager of MSN.com. He holds a BA from Harvard and lives in Seattle.
Paul Okner is a practicing attorney and principal at Fremont Law, PLLC, a real estate and commercial law firm based in Seattle.
Paul graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University with dual degrees in Economics and Russian, received his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School, and completed the certificate in commercial Real Estate program at the University of Washington. Paul's pro bono work includes serving as a volunteer attorney with a variety of nonprofit organizations around Puget Sound.
Dana Bass Solomon has over 25 years of senior management in hospitality and social business, leading and working with diverse organizations such as Hollyhock, a transformational lifelong learning organization and innovator in creative culture and social entrepreneur networks; PURPPL-working with leaders to build the capability and capacity to implement sustainable business and impact models; Cavallo Point, Osmosis, Two Bunch Palms and the Jean Michel Cousteau Resort.
Dana serves as a director of Terracycle Foundation, the Forever Land Trust Foundation, and Reef Point Farm, in addition to the Mark Torrance Foundation.
A proud mother of four adult children and happy grandmother of five, Dana loves to swim in the ocean and walk in the forest with her husband Joel Solomon, and enjoys the joy of laughter shared with family and friends.
Our goal is to help those who are making things better.
If you are a non-profit organization seeking help with your project, we may be able to help.
Questions on the application process? See our guidelines below.
You must be a non-profit, tax exempt organization as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code to submit a grant application. The Board of Directors meets twice annually, at which time funding decisions are made. Please email a brief description of your project and request to Karin Cirillo at mtfinfo@tobagroup.com
If the project meets the mission of the Foundation and is of interest, you will be contacted with additional information, and a grant request form.
