Maybe you’ve heard that Seattle's Rainier Valley is one of the most diverse communities in the country? As a result, innovative and illuminating community projects and programs are emerging.

The richness of this community presents both opportunities for our region and challenges for us as funders. We all desire to learn more about diversity and equity and ensure our investments can make impact that is responsive to the community.  We will be joined by community leaders and hear their perspectives on:

- building lasting relationships with community organizations
- how foundations and community organizations can become partners in supporting each other
- how we can better partner to address challenges in the Rainier Valley
- transformative programs in the Rainier Valley including Rainier Valley Corps and the Hillman City Collaboratory

Panelists include:
– John Helmiere from The Hilllman City Collaboratory
- Vu Le, Executive Director, Rainier Valley Corps and author of the popular blog, Nonprofit With Balls
- LiLi Liu, Program Officer, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Zeke Spier, Executive Director, Social Justice Fund (moderator)

This Philanthropy Northwest briefing is co-sponsored by United Way of King County, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,  Loom Foundation, Social Justice Fund, Social Venture Partners and The Seattle Foundation/Neighbor to Neighbor Small Grants Program.

The Hillman City Collaboratory is a non-profit, cooperative multi-purpose space shared by grassroots organizations and individuals who care about social change, creative expression, and community building. Rainier Valley Corps works to cultivate immigrant and refugee leaders to strengthen the capacity of ethnic-led nonprofits and create space for collaboration between diverse communities to effect systemic change.