Submitted by Community Youth Services
Washington Women’s Foundation has announced grant awards to five nonprofit organizations totaling $500,000. Overall Foundation giving since 1996 now totals over $14 million, both through individual grants of $1,000 each and through Pooled Fund Grants of $50,000 – $100,000.
“Reaching $14 million in cumulative grants is a testament to the power and leverage of our collective giving model,” said Carla Lewis, President of Washington Women’s Foundation. “Our members have combined their resources, their knowledge and their passion for improving our community to make a significant philanthropic impact across our state.”
Pooled Fund Grants were awarded in each of the Foundation’s five giving areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services. Here’s a closer look at the award-winning organizations and the purpose of the grant funds:
- Shunpike: $100,000 to upgrade technology infrastructure, deliver programs more efficiently, and implement new methods of evaluation in order to provide more effective fiscal management services for artists and arts groups throughout Washington.
- The Martinez Foundation: $100,000 to expand partnerships with universities in Washington and bring more teachers of color to the state’s most culturally diverse and poverty-impacted school districts.
- Conservation Northwest: $100,000 to support the Working For Wildlife project, which aims to conserve land, restore habitats, and construct wildlife underpasses for safer migrations across Washington’s Highway 97.
- Open Arms Perinatal Services: $100,000 to hire more doulas for the Birth Doula Services and Outreach Doula programs, which help low-income new mothers and babies to establish a strong foundation for their future.
- Community Youth Services: $100,000 to provide food, daytime and overnight refuge, clothing, and referrals at Young Adult Shelter and Rosie’s Place, two shelters serving homeless youth in Thurston County.
These awards were presented before a capacity crowd at the Foundation’s annual Grant Awards Celebration, held June 11th at the Northwest African American Museum. There was also a celebratory toast to acknowledge and thank Carla Lewis, President of Washington Women’s Foundation, who will be stepping down from her position in late August. The event was generously sponsored by The Hall Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.
Washington Women’s Foundation also presents a WWF Merit Award to the five finalists who were not awarded the Pooled Fund Grants. The Merit Award is in recognition of the Grant Committee’s strong endorsement of these organizations and includes a $2,000 grant in appreciation for the time and effort invested in WWF’s rigorous grant process. The 2014 Merit Awardees are: Seattle Globalist, Wellspring Family Services, Northwest Natural Resource Group, Yoga Behind Bars and Low Income Housing Institute.
In addition to combining their giving dollars for the Pooled Fund Grants, Washington Women’s Foundation members will distribute an additional $500,000 this year in Individual Grants to nonprofits of their choice as part of their annual membership contribution. Total Foundation giving for 2014 alone will surpass $1 million.
About Washington Women’s Foundation The mission of Washington Women’s Foundation is to educate and expand the number of women engaged in philanthropy, and to build and strengthen community through individual and large impact grants. The Foundation’s members, now more than 500 strong, have invested $14 million of their own resources in nonprofit organizations in the last 19 years. Membership is open to all women interested in philanthropy. For more information, visit www.wawomensfoundation.org.
