In 2010, a group of current and former elected leaders of the Structural Engineers Association of Washington/SEAW envisioned an organization that would elevate and advance the profession of structural engineering. Howard Burton, Mark D'Amato, Ed Huston, *Dave Peden, and Ted Smith mobilized support from the Founding Donors to fund programs beginning with the first annual Fall Forum in October 2011.
In 2011 SEFW presented the first annual Fall Forum, supported the Structural Engineers Association of Washington (SEAW) in the initiation of the Structural Engineers Hall of Fame; and in 2012 produced a documentary of Structural Engineers of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.
The Foundation supports professional studies via the SEAW scholarship program which has granted more than 50 scholarships since 1985.