Seattle, WA. It’s well known that Seattle is a city known for its stunning natural beauty, innovative technology, and a strong commitment to community and social causes. Within this vibrant metropolis, numerous nonprofits work tirelessly to address a wide range of issues, from homelessness to environmental conservation and education. Here’s a closer look at some of the top nonprofits in Seattle, highlighting their impactful work and dedication to making the Emerald City a better place for all.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, headquartered in Seattle, is one of the world’s largest and most influential philanthropic organizations. Founded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his then-wife Melinda, the foundation focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, and education. Through their generous contributions, they have played a pivotal role in improving healthcare systems, combating infectious diseases, and enhancing educational opportunities worldwide.
Seattle Foundation
The Seattle Foundation is a local organization that connects donors with nonprofits and community leaders to create lasting change in the Seattle area. They manage a vast network of charitable funds, enabling individuals and organizations to contribute to causes they care about. The foundation’s efforts have resulted in countless community projects, scholarships, and support for social initiatives.
Northwest Harvest
Fighting hunger is the primary mission of Northwest Harvest. They are a statewide food bank distributor that sources nutritious food and distributes it to a network of more than 375 food banks, meal programs, and high-need schools. Northwest Harvest has been instrumental in addressing food insecurity in Seattle and across Washington State.
Catholic Community Services of Western Washington
Catholic Community Services (CCS) is a vital nonprofit that provides a wide range of social services, including housing assistance, behavioral health, and refugee and immigrant support. Their dedication to helping vulnerable populations in Seattle has made them a cornerstone of the local community.
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Seattle Children’s Hospital is renowned for its pediatric care and commitment to improving the health and well-being of children. Not only do they provide top-notch medical treatment, but they also engage in cutting-edge research to advance the field of pediatric medicine.
Forterra
Forterra, formerly known as the Cascade Land Conservancy, is an organization dedicated to conserving and enhancing the region’s natural landscapes. They work to secure critical lands, restore ecosystems, and promote sustainable urban development. Their efforts have helped protect important natural areas in the Pacific Northwest.
All Home King County
All Home King County is a collaborative effort aimed at addressing homelessness in King County, where Seattle is located. They work to coordinate resources, services, and housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness, with a focus on making homelessness rare, brief, and one-time.
Seattle Public Schools Foundation
Education is a top priority in Seattle, and the Seattle Public Schools Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting the city’s public education system. They raise funds to bridge funding gaps, promote equity, and enhance educational opportunities for all students.
ArtsFund
ArtsFund is committed to supporting the arts and cultural organizations in the Seattle region. They provide financial resources and advocacy to ensure that the arts continue to thrive, enriching the cultural fabric of the city.
Conclusion
Seattle’s vibrant nonprofit sector is a testament to the city’s commitment to social and environmental causes. The organizations mentioned here are just a snapshot of the incredible work being done to address some of the most pressing issues facing the Emerald City. Whether it’s improving healthcare, fighting hunger, or preserving the environment, these nonprofits are making a significant impact, proving that Seattle’s heart is as big as its towering skyline. By supporting and collaborating with these nonprofits, we can all contribute to making Seattle a better place for everyone.
Seattle, WA. We are reflecting on the meaning of Nonprofits.
In a world often marred by economic disparities, social injustices, and environmental crises, nonprofit organizations have emerged as the unsung heroes striving to make a positive impact on our global community. These selfless entities, fueled by passion and dedication, are at the forefront of addressing some of society’s most pressing issues.
Nonprofits: The Backbone of Compassion
Nonprofits, also known as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or charitable organizations, play a pivotal role in addressing various social, economic, and environmental challenges. They are driven by a common mission: to promote the welfare of individuals, communities, and the planet itself. Whether it’s providing humanitarian aid during natural disasters, funding medical research, supporting education, or conserving wildlife, nonprofits are the lifeline of humanity.
Diverse Causes, Common Goals
Nonprofits span a wide spectrum of causes and issues, reflecting the diversity of concerns in our society. Some focus on alleviating poverty and hunger, while others champion education and healthcare access. Environmental organizations work tirelessly to combat climate change, protect endangered species, and preserve natural habitats. The philanthropic world is a tapestry of these organizations, each contributing to a better world in its unique way.
The Power of Volunteerism and Donations
At the heart of nonprofits are the volunteers and donors who dedicate their time, resources, and expertise to the cause. Volunteers often play an instrumental role in delivering services and raising awareness. Meanwhile, the generosity of donors ensures that nonprofits have the necessary funds to continue their work. From grassroots initiatives to international organizations, it’s this synergy of passion and financial support that propels nonprofits forward.
Impact Amidst Challenges
Nonprofits face numerous challenges, from bureaucratic hurdles to fundraising obstacles. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on their operations and resources. Many nonprofits have had to adapt swiftly to meet the urgent needs arising from the pandemic, including food distribution, healthcare support, and educational resources.
However, these challenges have not deterred the indomitable spirit of nonprofit organizations. Instead, they have fueled creativity and innovation. Virtual fundraising events, online volunteering opportunities, and digital campaigns have become the norm, allowing nonprofits to continue their essential work even in the face of adversity.
A Global Network of Hope
The impact of nonprofits extends far beyond local communities. International nonprofits and NGOs often collaborate across borders to tackle global issues. Whether it’s responding to humanitarian crises, advocating for human rights, or promoting sustainable development, nonprofits bring people together from all corners of the world to work towards a common goal.
The Future of Nonprofits
As we move forward, the role of nonprofits in shaping a better world is more critical than ever. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a roadmap for their efforts, guiding them in addressing poverty, inequality, climate change, and other pressing challenges. The future of nonprofits also includes leveraging technology and data-driven approaches to enhance their effectiveness and transparency.
In a world where societal issues continue to evolve, nonprofits stand as beacons of hope and catalysts for change. They remind us that even the smallest acts of kindness and generosity can have a profound impact on the lives of individuals and the well-being of our planet. As we recognize their tireless efforts, let us all be inspired to contribute in whatever way we can, for it is through collective action that we can create a brighter future for all.
Note: This article celebrates the incredible work of nonprofits and the invaluable contributions they make to society. It is a testament to their resilience and dedication to making the world a better place.
Seattle, WA. Located near Magnolia, Plus One Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the community for children, adults, and in-between for those afflicted by neurological disorders and diseases. Plus One Foundation provides a multitude of resources, “We fund activities and experiences that offer education, rehabilitation, and training such as; art and music therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, integrated movement therapy, martial arts, meditation, yoga, and aquatic therapies.”
The nonprofit is also responding to Covid-19. “At Plus One, we acknowledge the severity of the virus. We are offering additional support and resources to those impacted. We encourage that every individual mask up, practice social distance, washes their hands, and gets vaccinated. From research, we’ve learned neurological disorders develop from COVID-19 as a result of the body’s immune response to the virus.” Plus One offers additional support and resources to COVID-19 survivors. You can find additional information and answers to any questions by emailing [email protected]
Here’s a list of programs the Plus One Foundation offers for people with neurological disorders and diseases:
Plus One offers a variety of grants that you can apply for! These grants can give aid to individuals affected by the long-term neurological effects of COVID-19.
ONE Grant — This is a one-time grant for people with neurological disorders that gives them a chance at a life-changing opportunity with up to $1000.
Occasions Grant — This grants daily or weekly activities, classes, and workshops that add joy and inspiration to these individuals’ lives.
Mermaid Pool Pass — This is a specific grant used to buy three-month, all-access swimming pool passes to the Seattle Public Swimming Pools.
PROGRAMS
Plus One Pals— Offers emotional support through our letters of love written by caring interns and volunteers. These times of uncertainty can be challenging, especially for COVID-19 survivors. Plus One is here to lift some of that fear and isolation through positive, hopeful affirmations.
Fulfillment Package — Offers meal options to those struggling financially from the pandemic.
The organization assists community members by providing “occasion grants” which provide weekly activities and classes for people with neurological disorders, the “ONE grant” which focuses on fulfilling a life-long wish or dream to “expand the experience of living” up to $1000.
Plus One Foundation also offers the “mermaid pool pass” which is a three-month, all-access pool pass for individuals with neurological disorders who want to liven their days with swimming activities at Seattle Public Swimming Pools.
With the volunteers, there is a lot of social outreach for those who may not have heard about these resources before, particularly with their work with Pen Pals. By sending letters of love to individuals who have been feeling lonely and isolated, especially due to the pandemic, by working with this program, Plus One Foundation was able to subset the feelings of desolation by replacing them with thoughtful and handwritten letters for those who need that extra emotional support to lift emotions of uncertainty.
Plus One Foundation showcasing its resources via social outreach.
However, due to the global pandemic, how has Plus One Foundation functioned amidst the crisis at hand? As pictured above, Plus One Foundation mentions, 2020 has been a tumultuous year for all of us, including us here at the Plus One Foundation. In spite of it all, we’ve continued our efforts to brighten people’s lives day by day, giving 200 food packs to the food insecure in Seattle, sending 500+ letters to those feeling isolated in long term residential care facilities, and of course, continuing our grants that provide therapies for our clients with debilitating neurological disorders.” Largely, Plus One Foundation focuses on providing grants, emotional support, and financial food packages filled with shelf-safe food for individuals who have been impacted by the pandemic.
As for events, they are offering a free ukulele class for individuals with neurological conditions with social distancing, masks, and adhering to Covid-19 safe guidelines.
From Plus One Foundation:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), neurological disorders, ranging from epilepsy to Alzheimer’s disease, Traumatic Brain Injury to Multiple Sclerosis, affect up to one billion people worldwide. They affect people in all countries, irrespective of age, sex, education or income. More than 500 different conditions are considered neurological disorders. We have a lot of work to do.
The Plus One Foundation assists children and adults with a neurological injury, disorder, or disease to achieve goals, expand opportunities and ‘feed the soul’ through activities that offer education, rehabilitation and training. Plus One Foundation is also dedicated to assisting people that have had COVID-19.
We fund classes, workshops and life experiences that are proven to assist individuals on their path of rehabilitation and recovery but are rarely covered by insurance, such as; art and music therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, integrated movement therapy, martial arts, meditation, yoga, and aquatic therapies.
Seattle, WA. The Book-It Repertory Theatre has been putting on all-audio productions throughout the pandemic. Now, Book-It is preparing for an in-person 2022 season. The upcoming productions are highlighted in the graphic above.
After making an early decision to switch from a proposed traditional in-person slate of shows to all-audio productions for the 2020-21 season, Book-It was faced with the choice of how to best move forward in a post-vaccine world for 2021-22. According to Marketing and Communications Director Torrie McDonald, these decisions were made in the “heady days of pre-Delta Variant breakthroughs and rising infection rates.”
McDonald notes that the world moves quickly, and Book-It administration is doing what they can to keep up while ensuring that the health, safety, and comfort of everyone involved–artists, patrons, staff–is top of mind.
Brandon J. Simmons directed, adapted, and played the role of Ghost/Narrator in the all-audio production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost.”
With the information from the CDC, Governor Inslee, and other appropriate officials, Book-It is beginning the upcoming season with two audio dramas, beginning in October. Opening in late January, Book-It will offer three in-person productions in the Center Theatre at Seattle Center.
McDonald says that the response to an all-audio season was “better than we hoped for.” While it can never replace the specific experience of seeing a show in-person, audio plays fit with Book-It’s particular niche and mission: adapting books into theatre experiences. As audiobooks are already a massive market, it was a pretty easy fit for Book-It, in “some ways.”
Of course, communicating the ways in which plays were different than strict audiobooks was important. McDonald feels that “audiences are savvy enough that they understood.” People appreciated the position Book-It, and the entire theatre industry were in. As a result, many of their patrons came “along for the ride.”
Many of Book-It’s colleagues have lost their jobs or had to shutter their organizations. “The lament that theatre is dead,” McDonald reflects, “has rung out. Again.” Book-It administration highlight that theatre is an artform that has survived for millennia; survived plagues and wars and changing climates, both political and environmental.
Theatre isn’t dead, or even dying, but it is evolving, according to Book-It. It “should” and “must” evolve–Book-It is ensuring this is the case through pandemic adaptations.
The 2021-2022 season will feature both audio and in-person productions.
As a final note, McDonald observes: “We are being forced to look at ourselves in a mirror, without our makeup on, and see who we really are, to decide who we can and should become. Hopefully, that will be more equitable, more accessible, and just as creative as ever.”
For the 32nd season of plays, Book-It will present two Audio Dramas and three In-Person Mainstage shows. See below for the list of titles and links to more information on each. For further information not detailed below, visit the 2021-2022 season page.
The first two productions are Audio Dramas this season. Zen and the Art of an Android Beatdown is a short story and will have one download available that contains the entire story start to finish. The Three Musketeers is a longer book presented in two parts, that will be released over two weeks. You will be able to stream or download each title starting on its release date and until June 30, 2022.
The Three Musketeers will be presented in two all-audio segments.
Beginning in January 2022, patrons will be welcomed back to the Center Theatre in the historic Seattle Center Armory for three in-person shows: Beowulf, Mrs. Caliban, and The Bonesetter’s Daughter.
For these in-person productions, please note that to ensure health and safety protocols are kept up to date, all seating will be General Admission this season. You will not be able to choose your specific seat in advance. However, let Book-It administration know if you have an accessibility need, and they will do their best to accommodate it.
Pricing Information:
Full Season Subscription Packages: $122-$185
Audio Only Subscription for $40
From Book-It Repertory Theatre:
Book-It Repertory Theatre has built a 30-plus year legacy of creating new, evocative plays from some of the most compelling books on the shelves. By creating theatre exclusively from literature, Book-It strives to inspire a love of reading through a live, communal experience.
Today, with over 150 original adaptations to its credit, Book-It is widely respected for the consistent artistic excellence of its work. We are proud of our interpretations of classics by authors from the Western canon of literature—Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Bram Stoker, Miguel de Cervantes, Kate Chopin, and Herman Melville, among many. And we are thrilled to bring new, or often excluded, voices to that list of exceptional authors: N.K. Jemisin, Octavia Butler, Jamyang Norbu, Tochi Onyebuchi, and Mbolo Mbue, to name a few.
Though we produce our work primarily in the Center Theatre of Seattle Center’s historic Amory building, our work has been shown in multiple local venues including ACT, Intiman, Seattle Art Museum, Town Hall, Freehold, North Seattle Community College, Northwest Asian American Theatre, Hugo House, On the Boards, Café Nordo, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Book-It’s national reputation continues to grow with our adaptations being performed in theatres across the country including the Hartford Stage, Center Stage Baltimore, Minnesota Children’s Theatre, Theatreworks Palo Alto, Portland Center Stage, and others.
The joy of sharing stories with our community continues to inspire us, and we look forward to the growing the list of voices we will experience together.
Our Mission: To transform great literature into great theatre, through simple and sensitive production, and to inspire our audiences to read.
Our Vision: To be a nationally-known theatre arts center where Book-It’s partnership of theatre, literature, and education nourishes the literacy and the artistic vitality of our community.
Our Land Acknowledgement: We would like to acknowledge that our company works on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish people, past and present; and we honor, with gratitude, the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
From the foundation: “we hope to educate, inspire, and motivate people by sharing stories of work that is improving lives, from Seattle to South Africa. Through our interactive exhibits, visitors can investigate some of the world’s tough challenges and learn how to act on their own ideas and solutions.” Pictured above is Employee Occupational Health Nurse Katherine Volner, featured by the Discovery Center for serving as an essential worker. Volner is one of five featured stories in the new exhibit.
The new exhibit features five inspiring stories from the fight to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
️Bringing together stories of strength, innovation, and hope from the community in Washington State during the COVID-19 pandemic, this online experience creates a forum for connection, empathy, and healing.
The exhibit highlights people under five main themes:
Fighting and Treating COVID-19
Spreading Joy and Healing
Sharing Critical Information
Meeting the Needs of Communities
Essential Workers Meeting Everyday Needs
Lynda Stuart of the Gates Foundation COVID-19 Response Team shares her story within the interactive exhibit. Stuart discusses rising to the challenge of COVID-19: “Being a global citizen comes with a fascinating insight into the world. One person’s success is everybody’s success; one person’s failure can take us all down. It gives you a pair of eyes on problems that other people don’t necessarily see.”
Lynda Stuart says that watching her father work in health care, she realized “public health and global health were in [her] blood.”
Stuart points out that vaccine work can feel like a thankless task, regardless of how important they are. “If we’re superheroes, then vaccines are our capes. We don’t even know we have them.” Check out this clip of Stuart discussing vaccine demographics, and the inequalities the pandemic has further exposed.
Find out more about Stuart’s contributions here, including how she finds hope in community and spending time with loved ones.
In addition to highlighting those fighting and treating COVID-19 like Stuart, the new exhibition emphasizes the work of spreading joy and healing. Roxana Pardo Garcia describes herself as “a small business owner who is fortunate to be in a place to not only be creative but act on that creativity and to be of service to my community.”
Pardo Garcia recalls being “scared and overwhelmed” by the possibility of the pandemic’s long-lasting effects on the Latinx community. As a disproportionately impacted group, Pardo Garcia voiced concerns about the genetic, emotional memories that would be passed down.
Roxana Pardo Garcia found herself asking: “What is my role in facilitating healing for our communities?”
In response to this call to healing, Pardo Garcia quit her job and started Alimentando al Pueblo, “a different kind of food bank.” The intent was to provide food to people that meets their basic needs, while also ensuring food would be relevant to those receiving it. Pardo Garcia and her family felt that growing up, other food banks would offer items that didn’t get used.
All the vendors Alimentando al Pueblo works with are Latinx- and BIPOC-owned groceries and farms.
To read more about Pardo Garcia’s journey to provide food amidst the pandemic, click here. For more details about the stories mentioned, or to explore other highlights of the exhibit, explore the site.
From The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation:
Our Role
Where does our foundation fit among the other institutions trying to improve the world?
We typically hear about two sectors, the public and the private. The private sector – business – is good at developing products and services, while the public sector – government – is good at delivering solutions to all the people who need them.
In many cases, the private and public sectors, acting either separately or together, meet people’s needs. But there are gaps, spaces where some people don’t get what they need to live healthy, productive lives.
Here’s an example: A generation ago, the market for vaccines worked well in wealthy countries – if you wanted to be immunized against a whole range of diseases, you could – but the system did not work for other parts of the world. Certain vaccines just weren’t available for most people. The private sector didn’t sell them in low-income countries because it wasn’t clear there would be buyers. Governments tried to step in, but they weren’t in a position to bring all the pieces — the funding, the partnerships, the logistics – together to make it work. Tragically, millions of children were dying of preventable diseases each year.
This is the kind of problem that philanthropies can help solve, and it’s how we define our foundation’s role.
Seattle, WA. One Day Wages is a nonprofit working to fight extreme poverty around the world. Based in Seattle, the organization’s slogan involves looking toward a better future, “One Day.” The nonprofit has international branches and is working to build awareness for issues in underdeveloped areas. It helps poverty-affected communities by providing educational and professional resources and opportunities. It collaborates with other non-profit organizations. Its most recent project is ‘Project #191 Clean and Safe Hands in Nicaragua’ in a partnership with El Porvenir. The goal was to highlight how inaccessible handwashing stations were to rural Nicaraguans. With the help of One Day Wages, they distributed 1,818 handwashing stations with soap to homes, schools, health posts, and health centers in need. This simple but critical intervention cost only $10 per handwashing station, and El Porvenir’s established network in 6 regions of Nicaragua allowed for quick and widespread response. With this third partnership between ODW and El Porvenir, we were able to reach 92,220 people in total with access to handwashing stations.” Ultimately, through their collective impact, 1 Water Point was built, and there was now more accessibility to clean water and sanitation areas to help prevent illness.
One Day Wages is providing awareness for children’s education, children’s health, emergency relief, gender-based violence, girls’ empowerment, global hunger, human trafficking, jobs & skills, maternal health, preventable disease, refugee relief, water & sanitation.
Here’s a video about the organization:
Currently, One Day Wages is holding a 12th annual gala with covid-safety measures by providing 3 opportunities: in-person, limited, and virtual. Their in-person event is in Sodo Park, their limited ‘Party-Style’ is a small gathering in the comfort of your own home with packages that include a party box sent to your address, and a Zoom accessible event with DIY activities.
In response to Covid-19, One Day Wages wrote ” One Day’s Wages has launched an emergency relief fund to respond to the spread of COVID-19 within some of the most vulnerable communities around the world. While the strain from the pandemic is tangible for all of us, we’re coming alongside communities in vulnerable places such as refugee camps, remote villages, and densely populated urban areas where the spread of the virus could have severe impact.” and “Through our partnership with RSKW, 1,800 individuals were provided with relief during the pandemic through direct relief, food support, proper sanitizing kits, masks, and protocols to prevent spread of Covid-19.”
A woman who has received an emergency covid-relief aid.
From One Day Wages:
As a grassroots movement, we are impacting communities and changing lives.
Whether it’s a young girl who no longer has to walk miles to collect water, a mother who can provide for her children thanks to business training, or a school that can now grow nutritious food for their students–our impact is far reaching–community focused–and always sustainable. But we aren’t just about granting money toward issues of poverty, we also want to inspire people to care about justice, and to take action through simple generosity. Because together, we truly believe we can alleviate extreme global poverty in our lifetime.
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