The Nick and Leslie Hanauer Foundation is the private foundation of progressive technology investor and reported Democracy Alliance partner Nick Hanauer.¹ Hanauer, dubbed “America’s worst minimum wage pundit” by Forbes commentator and economist Adam Ozimek for his ignorance of economics debates, is a staunch advocate for left-wing economic policies, most notably exceptionally high minimum wages.²

Background

The foundation appears to be purely a funding vehicle. In tax year 2015, the foundation did not pay any employees, and the only directors reported are Nick Hanauer and his wife.³

The foundation contributes to local Seattle-area charitable organizations and progressive public policy and political organizing groups. Grant recipients in recent years include the Institute for New Economic Thinking, the Roosevelt Institute, the Center for American Progress, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Media Matters for America, Washington Progress Fund, Economic Policy Institute, and the Tides Foundation.⁴

Controversy

In 2017, Nick Hanauer and Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan, supported an effort to placing a property-tax levy on the city ballot to raise $275 million for homeless services within the city. Hanauer claimed he spent roughly $250,000 in gathering signatures to support the measure but faced criticism due to previous efforts in supporting measures to increase city property taxes as well as finance reform measures meant to, “reduce the influence of wealthy elites in politics.” ⁵ In April 2017, it was announced that the $275 million property-tax levy effort would not proceed. ⁶

Financials

In 2021, the Foundation’s total revenue was reported at $980,397, its expenses at $1,201,122 and total assets at $10,697,807. ⁷ In 2021, the Foundation gave or approved $1,031,984 in contributions to groups including The National Forest Foundation and WorkMoney Inc. ⁸

1. McMorris, Bill. “Nick Hanauer: TED Head.” Washington Free Beacon. September 18, 2012. Accessed May 08, 2017. http://freebeacon.com/democracy-alliance/nick-hanauer/
2. Ozimek, Adam R. “America’s Worst Minimum Wage Pundit.” Modeled Behavior. May 29, 2016. Accessed May 02, 2017. https://www.forbes.com/sites/modeledbehavior/2016/05/29/americas-worst-minimum-wage-pundit/#554ff724414c
3. Nick and Leslie Hanauer Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2015, Part I, lines 13 and 14
4. Nick and Leslie Hanauer Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2015,Part XV Line 3; Nick and Leslie Hanauer Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2014,Part XV Line 3; Nick and Leslie Hanauer Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2013,Part XV Line 3
5. Dake, Lauren. “He has six homes. Now this ‘self-loathing plutocrat’ wants to help those with none.” The Guardian, August 17, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/17/seattle-homeless-crisis-nick-hanauer-venture-capitalist
6. Levy, Nate. “$275M Seattle property tax levy to fight homelessness pulled in favor of countywide sales tax measure.” GeekWire, April 3, 2017. https://www.geekwire.com/2017/275m-seattle-property-tax-levy-fight-homelessness-pulled-favor-countywide-sales-tax-measure/
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Nick and Leslie Hanauer Foundation. 2021. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261593306/202213189349107066/full.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Nick and Leslie Hanauer Foundation. 2021. Part XIV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261593306/202213189349107066/full