Wy’east Foundation

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. ²

Background

The Wy’East Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation founded in 2017 and operates out of Hood River, Oregon. ³ 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.” ⁴

Leadership

Jay Sherrerd is listed as the president of the Foundation, and according to tax returns appears to have served at least since 2017. ^{5 6}

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. ⁵

Casey Sherrerd is listed as a director of the Wy’East Foundation, according to its 2022 tax return. ⁵

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,” ² $100,000 to 350.org for “working to solve [the] climate crisis,” ² $100,000 to the Natural Resources Defense Council for “Climate Work,” ² and $85,000 to the Burning Man Project for “general operations to support events for Art, Culture, Education, and Civic Engagement.” ²

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,” ⁷ $100,000 paid to 350.org for “working to solve [the] climate crisis,” ⁸ $100,000 to the Natural Resources Defense Council for “Climate Work,” ⁷ and $100,000 to the Rocky Mountain Institute for “General Operations to Support Efficient and Restorative Uses of Resources.” ⁷

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. ⁹

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. ¹⁰