This year marks a remarkable milestone for Philanthropy Northwest — our 50th anniversary! Half a century of building a vibrant network, learning and growing from one another, and most importantly, showing up in service of our communities throughout the Northwest.  

As I reflect on this moment, I’m filled with both gratitude and resolve. Gratitude for the generations of leaders, funders and staff who built and shaped this network over the last five decades — and resolve to ensure that our next 50 years are defined by even deeper connection, change and impact.

From our founding in 1976 to today, Philanthropy Northwest has grown from a small collective of Western Washington grantmakers into a six-state regional network advancing equity and racial justice for all communities. We’ve seen philanthropy evolve from transactional to transformational, from institutional to community centered. And through it all, one truth has endured: lasting change happens when we lead together.

This year we’ll be celebrating that legacy and looking ahead through a series of special projects and events including our Shaped by Moments, Strengthened by Community storytelling campaign, a Future of Philanthropy thought leadership series and our signature 50th anniversary conference this fall in Alaska, October 6th – 8th. It will be a celebration of place, people and the possibilities that lay ahead for our region.

But more than celebration, this year is a call to purpose and action. The challenges our communities face from the elimination of public resources to loss of dignity and humanity for some of our most vulnerable neighbors, remind us that philanthropy’s role is essential in this moment. We will continue to pursue our mission alongside all of you to grow philanthropy’s capacity to redistribute resources and power to underinvested Northwest communities and beyond.

The next 50 years will ask us to go further to deepen trust, take principled risks and act with courage when it matters most. I’ve seen time and again how this network rises to meet the moment. And I have every confidence we’ll continue to do so.

As we step into this anniversary year, I invite you to join us in reflection, in celebration and in building what comes next. Share your stories, connect with your peers and help us to realize a more equitable and just future for all communities.  

Here’s to 50 years of growing, learning and leading — and to the next 50 of doing it, together.