At Philanthropy Northwest, our commitment to building connections and understanding the unique needs of our members takes us on exciting journeys. As part of our #PNWOnTheRoad initiative, we embarked on the ultimate philanthropy road trip, extending outreach to our members and partners throughout Washington state.
Spokane
In the vibrant spring season, we set our sights on Spokane, engaging with members and partners. One highlight was our meeting with Innovia Foundation, the largest community foundation in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Innovia shared insights into their local giving campaign initiative and their Launch NW initiative focused on increasing college enrollment.
Our visit also uncovered inspiring DEI efforts from one of our BCP participants, United Way of Spokane County, showcasing shifts in grantmaking practices towards community-centered influence and directing funding to new board-level organizations.
In addition, we met with one of our newest members, Colville Tribe who has secured $48M from National Telecommunications Information and Administration's (NTIA) broadband fund set-aside for tribes.
Being in-person allowed us to connect deeper with Philanthropy Northwest member College Success Foundation (CSF) whose goal is to achieve a 70% degree completion rate among student participants by 2030. CSF works with campus-based advisors on 28 campuses to provide support. It was amazing to hear CSF is working in partnership with our other member Innovia on leading the Launch NW high school to college transition working group.
We rounded out our inspiring Spokane road trip with our member Empire Health Foundation (EHF). We connected with EHF’s president Zeke Smith who has been aligning their board toward a more community-centered grantmaking. EHF is working to shift power dynamics between the foundation and community, seeking to build power infrastructure within the community as the region becomes increasingly diverse.
Vancouver
Spring also took us to Vancouver, where we brought our programming on the road! We co-hosted an event with Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington and M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. The topic? "Having Curious Conversations in Divided Times" with author Mónica Guzmán who shared her observations on using curiosity to move through confusion and bridge polarization.
Tacoma
During our time in Tacoma, we had the pleasure of connecting with the dedicated teams at Bamford Family Foundation, Forest Foundation and Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. It was enlightening to delve into the ongoing initiatives that each organization is passionately working on.
Eastern Washington
In the fall we headed to Eastern Washington to meet with members in Yakima, Pasco, Kennewick and Walla Walla. Our trip connected us with the Yakima Valley Community Foundation, Vista Hermosa Foundation, 3 Rivers Community Foundation, Sherwood Trust and Blue Mountain Community Foundation. The visit uncovered great feedback from our members and partners on how we can further ensure our programming meets their organization's needs.
Bellingham
Our philanthropy journey continued to Bellingham in October. Conversations with WECU shed light on their intentional efforts to simplify grant submissions and increase accessibility for nonprofits. Longtime Philanthropy Northwest member Chuckanut Health Foundation impressed us with their exploration of civic health, advocating for and implementing a racial equity commission within Whatcom County.
Our stroll along the waterfront with Whatcom Community Foundation was nothing short of inspiring. In the backdrop of serene views, they painted a vivid picture of their impactful initiatives striving for a more inclusive society in Whatcom County. Their dedication to fostering accessible housing, resources, and employment opportunities for disenfranchised communities resonated deeply. What struck us most was their commitment to collaborating with local Indigenous communities. Their approach, steeped in respect and mindfulness, aims to honor the rich history, culture and people who inhabited these lands long before colonization.
The trip wasn't just about locations; it was about understanding the heart of our members' and partners’ work and their communities. Bellingham's beauty mirrored the impactful initiatives of our members, and we also had the opportunity to explore the stunning views this part of our region has to offer during the autumn season including seeing salmon swimming up the falls!
We express immense gratitude to everyone who generously shared their time and wisdom during our #PNWOntheRoad trip! These experiences deepen our understanding, fostering shared learning and connections to better serve our region. Interested in learning more about our other #PNWOnTheRoad travels? Read our trip reports from Oregon, Alaska or Montana on our blog.
