# Brainerd Foundation

Brainerd Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Seattle, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Seattle, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Seattle, WA, United States
- **Founded:** 1995
- **Assets under management:** 26 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** https://www.brainerd.org

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Paul Brainerd established the Brainerd Foundation in 1995. The organization originated from technology wealth generated by Aldus Corporation. It operated as an environmental grantmaker until it dissolved in 2020. The foundation allocated capital exclusively to conservation projects. Its geographic scope remained limited to the Pacific Northwest. Related vehicles included IslandWood on Bainbridge Island and The Headwaters in New Zealand. Paul Brainerd also participated in Social Venture Partners as a founding member of the Seattle chapter. The foundation reported no additional offices beyond Seattle. Team size remained undisclosed in public records. Paul Brainerd's wife Debbi Brainerd co-founded IslandWood and The Headwaters. No operational events occurred after 2020. The foundation's structure tied directly to one family branch and one sector mandate. Dissolution in 2020 ended all grantmaking activity.

## Sectors

- Environment

## People

- Paul Brainerd — Founder
- Debbi Brainerd — Family Member
- Sherry Brainerd — Vice President

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Brainerd Foundation?

Paul Brainerd served as founder. Sherry Brainerd held the role of Vice President. Decisions centered on environmental grantmaking rather than investment management.

### Does Brainerd Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation made direct grants to conservation projects. No fund commitments appear in available records.

### What investment stages does Brainerd Foundation typically target?

The entity focused on grant deployment rather than staged investments. Its activity ended with dissolution in 2020.

### How is Brainerd Foundation related to IslandWood or The Headwaters?

Paul Brainerd and Debbi Brainerd founded both entities. They operated as separate vehicles alongside the foundation's grant work.

## Related profiles

- [McCarthey Family Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/mccarthey-family-foundation)
- [HAVAIC](https://altss.com/profile/havaic)

---

Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/brainerd-foundation

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology