A Brief History
The Lassen Foundation

The Irving A. Lassen Foundation was created upon the death of Irv Lassen on October 4, 1973. His will left a major portion of his estate in trust for the benefit of the people of Thurston County, along with specific benefits for Northwest Kidney Centers and Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Three original trustees were named in the will: Arleigh T. Jones, friend and Trust Officer of SeaFirst Bank; Helen Lassen Mairs, Irv Lassen's sister; and Lloyd Griffin, longtime friend and business associate. The three Trustees set up the operations of the Foundation, establishing its business procedures, managing its investments, and beginning the program of evaluating and dispersing grants.

Upon the death of Lloyd Griffin in November 1985, Julia E. Wiegman, retired businesswoman and longtime Thurston County resident, was elected to the Board of Trustees. In 1993 Helen Mairs retired after 20 years of faithful commuting to the monthly meetings from her home in Lebanon, Oregon. Frank J. Owens, attorney, and longtime resident of Thurston County, was elected to fill the vacancy as Trustee. In 2007 Arleigh Jones retired and was replaced by Jacqueline M. Gavin, a resident of Thurston County for 25 years and very active in the philanthropic arena.

In November 2001 the Irving A. Lassen Foundation was honored to receive the award for leadership in philanthropy from the South Sound Parners for Philanthropy.

The Irving A. Lassen Foundation is a member of: