The Wy’East Foundation is a left-of-center private foundation that provides grants towards land conservation, human services, and left-leaning climate advocacy. The organization was founded in 2017 and operates out of Hood River, Oregon.

In 2022 Wy’East gave $100,000 to 350.org, $125,000 to the Environmental Defense Fund, $100,000 to the Natural Resources Defense Council, $100,000 to the Rocky Mountain Institute, and $25,000 to Protect Our Winters. ¹

Background

The Wy’East Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation founded in 2017 and operates out of Hood River, Oregon. ² According to its 2022 990 form, the Foundation paid $52,196 to National Financial Services (Fidelity) for independent contracting services in the form of “ financial advisory and management.” ³

Leadership

Jay Sherrerd is listed as the president of the Foundation, and according to tax returns appears to have served at least since 2017. ^{4 5}

Jane Duncombe is listed as Vice-President of the Wy’East Foundation as well as both the Treasurer and Secretary of the board, according to its 2022 tax return. ⁴

Casey Sherrerd is listed as a director of the Wy’East Foundation, according to its 2022 tax return. ⁴

Funding

During the 2022 fiscal year, the Wy’East Foundation made $840,000 in contributions in the form of 16 grants. These include $125,000 to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) for “general operations to support North America Carbon Reduction,” ¹ $100,000 to 350.org for “working to solve [the] climate crisis,” ¹ $100,000 to the Natural Resources Defense Council for “Climate Work,” ¹ and $85,000 to the Burning Man Project for “general operations to support events for Art, Culture, Education, and Civic Engagement.” ¹

During the 2021 fiscal year, the Wy’East Foundation made $725,000 in contributions in the form of 14 grants. The largest of these grants include $125,000 paid to the Environmental Defense Fund for “General Operations to Support North America Carbon Reduction,” ⁶ $100,000 paid to 350.org for “working to solve [the] climate crisis,” ⁷ $100,000 to the Natural Resources Defense Council for “Climate Work,” ⁶ and $100,000 to the Rocky Mountain Institute for “General Operations to Support Efficient and Restorative Uses of Resources.” ⁶

Financials

According to its 2022 tax return, Wy’East foundation reported revenue of $ -38,334, expenses of $898,827, and total assets of $5,889,585. The same form shows that in 2022, the organization provided roughly $840,000 in contributions and grants paid to outside organizations. ⁸

According to its 2021 return, the foundation reported revenue of $655,431, expenses of $791,585, and total assets listed as $6,804,536. The same form shows that during the fiscal year 2021 the foundation spent $725,000 in contributions and grants paid out. ⁹

1. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Wyeast Foundation. 2022. Part XIV, Line 3. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815366149/202321229349102322/full
2. “Wy’East Foundation.” Cause IQ, Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/wyeast-foundation,815366149/
3.  Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Wyeast Foundation. 2022. Part VII, Line 3. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815366149/202321229349102322/full
4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Wyeast Foundation. 2022. Part VII, Line 1. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815366149/202321229349102322/full
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Wyeast Foundation. 2017. Part VII, Line 1. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815366149/201801349349102400/full
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Wyeast Foundation. 2021. Part XIV, Line 3. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815366149/202242089349100209/full
7. ^[1] Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Wyeast Foundation. 2021. Part XIV, Line 3. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815366149/202242089349100209/full
8.  Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Wyeast Foundation. 2022. Parts 1 & 2. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815366149/202321229349102322/full
9.  Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Wyeast Foundation. 2021. Parts 1 & 2. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815366149/202242089349100209/full