Our Grants
Our active grantees are listed below, updated monthly. We hope you will engage with and support these inspiring organizations.
Past Year of Giving
$300+M
Active Grants
*
Annual giving numbers updated as of 12/31/24. New grants made in 2025 are added each month and shown below. Please note that we cannot accept unsolicited grant applications.
Search Grants:
Impact Area:
Behavioral Health grants strengthen the systems within behavioral health care, providing scholarships and training to build the workforce necessary to meet increasing need, and integrating behavioral health into the education system so that more children, families, and communities can access high-quality mental health care.
Ballmer Group’s first grants centered on the child welfare system – a network of services whose purpose is to ensure child safety and to strengthen permanency in families. These grants continue to support affected families and kids and to transform systems in order to improve prevention and to reduce racial disparities in care.
Our Community Impact grants strengthen local Place-Based Partnerships, including building leadership pipelines, to help communities working to address complex issues and achieve measurable results.
Early Childhood & Families grants build systems of support and care for our littlest ones in the most critical point of their brain development by promoting equity in prenatal and maternal health, as well as helping all families access high quality childcare and early education.
K-12 Education grants seek to reduce and eliminate inequities that shortchange student achievement, by strengthening both the in-school academic experience as well as wrap-around and afterschool support. We believe that all neighborhoods deserve strong schools and a more representative, racially diverse workforce of teachers and school leaders.
Public Safety grants support leaders and organizations working to advocate for and scale effective public safety initiatives.
Region:
In the home of the Clippers, the Los Angeles County grants support building more equitable public systems, focusing on education, criminal justice, and a community-led vision of safety.
The Southeast Michigan grants works across the tri-county area surrounding Steve Ballmer’s hometown, bringing philanthropy, government, and business together to tackle economic mobility, and focusing on education and community development.
Our National Impact grants focus on opportunities to strengthen impact across the country, and partners with regional teams to advance key issues.
In the Ballmers’ home state of Washington, our grants focus on public systems transformation, with deep investments in child welfare, behavioral health, and education as levers for change.
Grantees
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Aerospace Machinists Joint Training Committee
Akin
Akin works to disrupt systemic and multi-generational cycles of inequity by partnering with children, families, and communities to transform population-level health and wellbeing. The organization is on the leading edge of the “kin-first” movement in Central Washington, with the goal of making kinship the default placement option for children that cannot remain safely at home. Its services include early learning, parenting education, mentorship for parents in the foster care system, the management of eight Family Resource Centers, and more.
Alliance for Education
Alliance for Education advances educational justice and racial equity for students in Seattle Public Schools. Our grant supports its Seattle Teacher Residency, which aims to accelerate student achievement through the preparation, support, and retention of exceptional teachers who reflect the rich diversity in Seattle Public Schools.
Amara
Amara has a bold vision to change the world when it comes to how we support and care for children, adults, and families experiencing foster care and considering adoption, in our communities. Amara partners with people and communities most impacted by our child welfare system, to address trauma, build connections, and ultimately ensure all children, adults and families feel safe and supported, with a commitment to equity.
Behavioral Health Catalyst
The Behavioral Health Catalyst is a collaboration of funders focused on improving the behavioral health system in Washington state. Our grant provides strategic and organizational support to the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group, which provides recommendations to the Washington legislature to improve behavioral health services and strategies for children, youth, young adults, and their families.
Behavioral Health Catalyst
The Behavioral Health Catalyst is a collaboration of funders focused on improving the behavioral health system in WA state. Our funds support general operating expenses, staffing for the collaborative, and compensation for the time and talent of local leaders, national advocates, and people with lived experience to inform the development of potential funding opportunities presented to the group.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington
Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington State Association aims to enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Our grant supports operations and programming in the nearly 140 Boys & Girls Clubs across the state, with a special focus on youth and communities experiencing the highest socio-economic barriers to healthy lifestyles and academic success.
Career Connect Washington
Career Connect Washington is a statewide network of business, labor, education, and community leaders working to help young people connect directly to education, credentials, and career opportunities. It enables work-based and academic programs that allow Washington’s youth to explore, prepare, and launch themselves into college and careers.
Catholic Charities of Spokane
Catholic Charities Eastern Washington affirms the dignity of every person, partnering with parishes and the greater community to serve and advocate for those who are vulnerable, bringing stability and hope to people throughout the region. Our grant funds the Rising Strong program, a holistic, family-centered drug treatment and housing program that supports families in staying together while they begin to recover from addiction, heal from trauma, and rebuild their lives.
Chief Seattle Club
Chief Seattle Club envisions a future where the Native community is safe, healthy, housed, and connected to community that respects and celebrates Native cultures. At its Day Center in downtown Seattle, the organization provides food, primary health care, housing assistance, legal services, a Native art job training program, and opportunities for members to engage in cultural community-building.
Child Care Aware of Washington
Child Care Aware of Washington is a child care resource and referral program dedicated to ensuring that every child in Washington has access to high quality child care and early learning programs. Our grant will help Child Care Aware to lead advocacy efforts designed to effectively implement and fund best-in-class workforce policies, including improvements to teacher retention, pay, and professional development.
Child Welfare Playbook
Child Welfare Playbook works with experts from across the U.S. to identify and document practical, scalable strategies for improving child welfare. Our grant enables its efforts related to implementing a kin-first culture in Washington state.
Children’s Campaign Fund Action
Children’s Campaign Fund Action builds non-partisan political power by helping elect lawmakers who will enact transformational policy change for children, youth, and families. Our grant supports the organization’s work related to the Washington Legislator Education and Action Project (LEAP) and expands partnerships to advance childcare.
City Year Seattle/King County
City Year improves student and whole school outcomes through partnering with AmeriCorps and placing young adults as tutors, coaches, and mentors in schools with high needs populations. Our grant supports City Year Seattle/King County to continue its partnership with Seattle Public Schools to support students in 11 systemically under resourced schools, as well as provide more practical supports and focus on the well being of AmeriCorps members working in these schools.
College Possible Washington
College Possible empowers students to access higher education and thrive through college in the face of broader systemic challenges, working to close the college degree divide. Our grant supports College Possible in Washington state to offer more students extensive guidance in high school, summer courses, and ongoing support through college, supporting them as they work to achieve their dream of a college degree.
College Unbound
College Unbound (CU) is dedicated to providing accessible, innovative higher education opportunities for adult learners who have faced significant barriers to attending college. Our grant will support a partnership with EarlyEdU to deliver a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Change to experienced early childhood educators. It will also build the infrastructure needed for statewide and national expansion, enhancing CU’s capacity to serve more students and scale its impact.
Communities in Schools Washington
Communities in Schools Washington surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Our grant will help expand Communities in Schools programs to high-needs schools in Washington state, increase state office capacity to strengthen and sustain growth of the network, and consolidate/align programs in King County.
Communities Rise
Communities Rise fosters movements to build power and create equitable systems in communities impacted by systemic oppression. To create an equitable system, Communities Rise pursues cross-sector collaboration, and provides capacity building and legal services for community organizations and microenterprises.
Community Center for Education Results
Community Center for Education Results serves as the backbone organization for Road Map Project, a place based partnership working to increase equitable policies and practices so that 70% of South Seattle, Washington and South King County, Washington students earn a college degree or career credential by 2030. Our grant supports expanding a systematic process that builds and sustains family engagement practices in schools and districts, in order to support students’ academic learning and outcomes.
Community Center for Education Results
Community Center for Education Results serves as the backbone organization for Road Map Project, a place based partnership working to increase equitable policies and practices so that 70 percent of South Seattle, Washington and South King County, Washington students earn a college degree or career credential by 2030. Our grant will expand their ability to empower communities, center equity, and establish and grow place based partnerships.
Degrees of Change
Degrees of Change Seed Internship program invests in the vibrant future of the Puget Sound region in Washington state by identifying exceptional college students and recent grads from underrepresented backgrounds and matching them with top, local employers. Our grant will support the expansion of the Seed Internship program over three years, scaling to 200 interns, adding employer partners, and growing into King County, Washington by 2025.
Downtown Emergency Service Center
Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) envisions a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness. The organization provides comprehensive services and solutions to help individuals achieve their highest potential and effectively address challenges related to homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness.
Eastside Pathways
Eastside Pathways is a community wide partnership of more than 60 public, private, and nonprofit organizations that is transforming the way the communities in East King County work together to make a positive impact in the lives of children and youth. Our grant supports the place based partnership infrastructure, in particular strategic plan implementation and capacity building of partners.
Education Service District 105
In Washington, educational service districts (ESDs) support school districts and communities. ESD 105, located in Yakima, WA, serves almost 70,000 students across 25 school districts in four counties. Our grant will build ESD 105’s capacity to universally assess students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health and well-being; provide critical data for the early identification of students who may require additional support and intervention; and strengthen behavioral and mental health supports and referrals.
Education Service District 105
The mission of ESD 105 is to provide essential support and resources to school districts in Central Washington, enhancing educational outcomes for nearly 70,000 students across Kittitas, Yakima, Grant, and Klickitat Counties. Our grant will support the development of a sustainable, equity-focused leadership initiative in partnership with the Center for Educational Leadership. This initiative aims to empower 100 educators through the Aspiring Leaders program and co-develop a local leadership training model, ultimately improving equity-driven leadership and educational excellence in the region.
Enterprise Community Partners
Enterprise Community Partners makes home and community places of pride, power, and belonging, as well as platforms for resilience and upward mobility for all. Our grant supports Enterprise Pacific Northwest’s goal to increase housing supply by preserving and producing affordable housing via the coordination and capacity-building of developers.
Family Impact Network
Family Impact Network facilitates a better system that transitions under-resourced children and families from crisis to healing. Reaching 20 counties in Eastern and Central Washington, Family Impact Network smooths processes and builds stronger connections between service providers and government, so that families can get the care they need quickly and easily, and so social workers can spend more of their time helping families.
FareStart
FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty, and nourishes communities through food, life skills, and job training. Our grant helps rebuild and expand workplace development programs in the greater Seattle area.
FIRST Clinic
FIRST Legal Clinic is dedicated to preventing unnecessary family separation by providing early legal intervention to pregnant individuals and parents at risk of child welfare involvement, with a focus on reducing racial disparities in child welfare outcomes. Our grant will support FIRST’s expansion efforts by funding key leadership positions, increasing contracted legal services, and enhancing data tracking systems. This investment will strengthen FIRST’s capacity to serve more families, expand into Pierce County, and build a sustainable funding model, ensuring that more families receive the support they need to stay safely together.
Foster America
Foster America seeks to transform systems that serve children, youth, and families by innovating for a more just, equitable future. Our grant supports its work related to enhancing innovation capacity in Washington state, which ultimately aims to increase family wellbeing, safely decrease child welfare involvement, and determine the most effective capacity additions for Washington in the long term.
Foundation for Health Care Quality
Foundation for Health Care Quality partners with clinicians, health systems, health plans, and others to improve appropriateness, quality, and safety of clinical care. Our grant supports its efforts to measure the impact of interventions and patient experiences on maternal health disparities and birth outcomes.
Foundation for Tacoma Students
Foundation for Tacoma Students is dedicated to ensuring the continuity, stability, and growth of Graduate Tacoma, a place based partnership focused on positive outcomes for students, especially students of color and those impacted by poverty. Our grant helps expand the use of disagregated data, cross sector collaboration, and data sharing.
Friends of the Children
Friends of the Children pairs youth facing the toughest systematic barriers with professional mentors who help prepare them for post-secondary education and/or employment, develop positive goals for the future, and develop a healthy lifestyle. The organization’s youth-development program works to break the cycle of poverty and violence through three primary prevention goals: school dropout, teen parenting, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Friends of the Children – Seattle
Friends of the Children-Seattle pairs youth facing the toughest systematic barriers with professional mentors who help prepare them for post-secondary education and/or employment; develop positive goals for the future; and develop a healthy lifestyle. Friends of the Children commits to each child for 12-plus years.
Friends of Youth
Friends of Youth serves youth and young families facing circumstances of homelessness, foster care, and behavioral health challenges, and provides individualized care, mentorship, and community relationships to enable their personal growth and success. Our grant supports Friends of Youth in their work to prevent youth and young families from entering crisis situations and providing high-quality services tailored to meet their holistic needs.
Harborview Medical Center
The Harborview Behavioral Health Institute (BHI) is a program of Harborview Medical Center that is dedicated to advancing innovation, research, and clinical practice in community behavioral health. Our grant supports the BHI, in partnership with Health Management Associates, facilitating the state-wide crisis redesign process.
Harborview Medical Center
Our grant supports University of Washington’s Behavioral Health Institute at Harborview Medical Center to collaborate with community partners to create apprenticeship programs in behavioral health to help build a qualified, diverse workforce to meet the demand for care in the region.
Heritage University
Our grant supports Yakima Valley Partners for Education, a place-based partnership serving Yakima County, WA, and a program of Heritage University, to collaborate with schools and communities to improve educational outcomes for all youth, cradle to career.
Housing Authority of the City of Tacoma
Housing Authority of the City of Tacoma provides high quality, stable, and sustainable housing and supportive services to people in need. Our grant supports expanded access to the 2Gen program. The program will continue to develop family-centered coaching practices into a supportive services model that recognizes the natural assets of multi-generational families and the importance of a multi-layered support ecosystem. It will integrate mental and emotional well-being into the model through social-emotional learning, mental health partnerships, and family-driven goal setting.
Imagine Institute
The Imagine Institute supports affordable, high-quality care for every child in Washington State by building a development system that elevates and improves the lives of child care providers and professionals. Our grant bolsters Imagine Institute’s training, resources, professional development, and mentoring programs designed to help people start and expand their child care businesses.
Innovia Foundation
LaunchNW is an initiative of the Innovia Foundation, aiming to enhance post-high school training opportunities in Eastern Washington and North Idaho, ultimately leading to quality local jobs. Our grant will support the expansion of LaunchNW’s services by funding six post-high school navigator positions, which will provide critical support to students transitioning from high school to post-secondary education. This initiative aims to improve student persistence and credential completion, addressing regional workforce development needs and reducing educational inequities.
Institute for Family Development
Institute for Family Development advocates for cost-effective and equitable policies and programs that keep children safe and families together. Its programs decrease the need to place children into foster care, residential treatment, and juvenile justice facilities. Families are served in their own homes and engaged as partners in change. The organization provides a range of family counseling programs and home-based parent education throughout Washington state.
Institute for Workforce Development and Sustainability
Institute for Workforce Development and Sustainability equips Washington’s business community with tools and resources to establish a robust workforce. Our grant supports the organization’s work related to the Washington Legislator Education and Action Project (LEAP) which aims to build sustained education and engagement among policymakers and civic leaders about child care and early learning.
Kindering Center
Kindering’s CHERISH program offers free screenings, therapy, and support services for the youngest children (ages zero to five) involved in the child welfare system to minimize trauma, stabilize placements, and facilitate healthy transitions. Our grant supports expansion to offer services to more children and families before they reach out-of-home care, helping more families in crisis and preventing removals.
King County Children, Youth, and Young Adults Division
A program under King County’s Children, Youth, and Young Adults division, King County Promise provides services that support young people from high school through postsecondary acceptance and completion. Our grant enables a comprehensive evaluation of King County Promise to identify learnings and shape strategic direction to optimize the program’s next phase of growth and scale.
Kitsap Strong
Kitsap Strong is a community initiative focused on improving the health and well being of all children, families, and adults in Kitsap County, WA. Our grant supports their role as a backbone, empowering collective efforts of over 100 partner organizations, and their capacity building efforts through the Collaborative Learning Academies (CLA) program, a year-long training experience for community teams to learn about the science of adversity & trauma, and techniques & strategies for building resilience.
Legal Counsel for Youth & Children
Legal Counsel for Youth and Children protects the interests and safety of youth in Washington by advancing their legal rights. Our grant will expand access to legal aid for youth experiencing homelessness and youth impacted by the child welfare system in Washington state, and support systemic advocacy efforts.
Mockingbird Society
The Mockingbird Society is dedicated to transforming the foster care system and ending youth homelessness by empowering young people with lived experience to lead advocacy efforts and drive systemic change. Our grant will support Mockingbird’s efforts to expand youth-led advocacy, enhance policy implementation, and scale the MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ model statewide. This investment will improve placement stability, foster parent retention, and public funding integration, ensuring that young people in Washington’s child welfare system have the resources, relationships, and opportunities to thrive.
MomsRising Education Fund
MomsRising Education Fund educates and engages people about the importance of advancing family economic security and ending discrimination in the U.S. Our grant enables the organization’s efforts to mobilize moms and families across Washington to advance early learning policies.
Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center
Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center serves children and families in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma by offering an array of programming, resources, and services. Our grant supports the organization’s plans for its Cora Whitley Family Center, which will house 19 childcare classrooms as well as a gym.
Northeast Community Center Association
Northeast Community Center Association strives to improve the quality of life for residents of northeast Spokane, Washington, with an emphasis on social, health, economic, education, and recreation needs. Our grant supports community-based program capacity to serve Northeast Spokane children and youth in out-of-school and summer spaces.
Northeast Community Center Association
Northeast Community Center Association strives to improve the quality of life for residents of northeast Spokane, Washington, with emphasis on social, health, economic, education, and recreation needs. Our grant supports The ZoNE—a partnership of area residents, schools, and community organizations generating hope and opportunity through collective action—to continue building its strategies to improve student academic outcomes.
NorthStar Advocates
NorthStar Advocates centers the leadership of young people who have lived experience of behavioral health crises and homelessness. The organization educates state and local policy leaders to ensure that any young person entering inpatient behavioral health treatment is discharged to the community with safe housing options and responsive, supportive services.
Northwest Education Access
Northwest Education Access is the only college access organization in Washington state that centers re-engaging out-of-school young people who have encountered significant barriers to completing their high school or college education. Advocates work to create career and academic achievement plans tailored to students’ individual gifts and goals, and they direct young people to financial resources so they can access higher education while meeting their basic needs; the organization also advocates for and with low-income young people, empowering them to develop their own voice as they pursue their education and career ambitions.
Olive Crest
Olive Crest is dedicated to preventing child abuse by strengthening, equipping, and restoring children and families in crisis. Our grant supports Olive Crest’s full range of child welfare services in Washington state, including a Therapeutic Mental Health Services program for children and caregivers.
Olympic Educational Service District 114
Olympic Educational Service District 114 (OESD) is dedicated to providing coordinated services that enhance educational opportunities and support for students across North Mason, Kitsap, Clallam, and Jefferson Counties. Our grant will support the launch of a new Open Doors Youth Reengagement Program, which aims to reengage disconnected youth aged 16-21 by helping them earn a high school diploma or GED, develop career pathways, and access essential support services. This initiative will fill a critical gap in the region, ensuring long-term success in education and employment for these young individuals.
OneAmerica
OneAmerica is the largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization in Washington and advances the fundamental principles of democracy and justice at the local, state, and national levels by building power within immigrant communities in collaboration with key allies. Our grant supports building OneAmerica’s political and advocacy infrastructure to achieve its early education policy goals including a universal childcare system in Washington and a partnership with state agencies to implement early learning policies to benefit immigrant/refugee families and providers.
Partners for Rural Washington
Partners for Rural Washington (PRWA) works with rural communities to develop their capacity to create prosperous and sustainable futures. Our grant supports PRWA in the expansion and construction of fiber broadband service to rural towns and populated areas in Eastern Washington.
Pathwaves Washington
Pathwaves WA works with the early childhood policy sector in Washington state to make it more just and inclusive. Pathwaves creates pathways for leaders of color to hold decision making roles in early childhood systems, so they can equitably drive and shape the design of policies that affect generations of children and communities.
Philanthropy Northwest
Philanthropy Northwest is dedicated to growing the capacity of philanthropy in the Northwest to redistribute resources and power to underinvested communities, fostering resilient, equitable, and inclusive communities through training, consultancy services, and advocacy. Our grant supports Philanthropy Northwest in strengthening relationships between funders and community-led organizations, advancing participatory grantmaking practices, and expanding funding access for historically marginalized communities.
Plymouth Housing Group
Plymouth Housing works to eliminate homelessness and address its causes by preserving, developing, and operating safe, quality, supportive housing and by providing adults experiencing homelessness with opportunities to stabilize and improve their lives. Plymouth’s model of permanent housing, coupled with wraparound supportive services, gives their residents the solid base they need to rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind forever.
Public Health Seattle & King County
King County school-based health centers serve students with primary care, well-child exams, and mental health counseling. Our grant expands culturally responsive mental health care for young people across King County.
Rainier Scholars
Rainier Scholars aims to increase college graduation and improve career success for underrepresented students of color. Our funding supports improved scholar and family experience and outcomes; new opportunities for alumni to expand their professional networks and gain skills to attain career success; and a tripling of the number of scholars served.
Renton Innovation Zone Partnership
Renton Innovation Zone Partnership leads a relationship based, data informed collaborative network to advance racial equity and create healthy learning opportunities for all children throughout the Renton Innovation Zone in Renton, Washington. Our grant supports the Partnership to continue its work with early learning and elementary aged children, and create a new action team focused on middle school transition and success.
Renton Innovation Zone Partnership
The Renton Innovation Zone Summer Learning Program is a free, comprehensive summer learning program serving Skyway-West Hill and Renton Highlands elementary and middle school students. Our grant supports RIZP in their work to curb summer learning loss and encourage healthy social-emotional development among students.
Ryther
Ryther provides therapeutic services to young people in Seattle who are struggling emotionally and behaviorally. Its evidence-based practices and models of trauma care are designed to help children and young adults, and their families, to find a path to health and hope for their futures.
Seattle University
Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, professional formation, and empowering leaders for a just and humane world. Our grant supports the university’s efforts to deepen and expand their communication, data, and evaluation capacity to inform and support the Seattle University Youth Initiative, a place‐based collective of educational supports serving the diverse needs of the children, youth, and families in the neighborhoods adjacent to the campus.
Start Early (formerly known as Ounce of Prevention Fund)
Start Early works to close the opportunity gap by championing quality early learning experiences for children and families in the U.S. from pre-natal through the first five years of life. Our grant will support Start Early to address historic racial inequities in Washington’s home visiting system with a focus on community engagement and workforce development.
Start Early (formerly known as Ounce of Prevention Fund)
Start Early champions quality early learning experiences for children and families, from prenatal through the first five years of life. Our grant increases the organization’s capacity to advocate for a more equitable and scalable B-5 (birth to age 5) system in Washington state.
Tacoma Pierce County Department of Public Health
Tacoma Pierce County Department Black Infant Health program focuses on community building and personalized pregnancy and parenting support to Black parents. The program seeks to develop a community- and evidence-informed model that can effectively mitigate disparities in birth outcomes.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Foundation
The Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Foundation changes lives, fights systemic racism, and works against chronic poverty by providing access to timely, effective, professional civil legal aid services for low-income clients. Our grant supports its Housing Justice Project, which represents tenants in eviction hearings.
Teach for America Washington
Teach For America is a diverse network of leaders who confront educational inequity by teaching for at least two years and then working with unwavering commitment from every sector of society to make educational equity a reality. Our grant supports Teach for America Washington, which works to achieve an equitable education for all in Washington State.
Team Read
Team Read propels young students to become inspired, joyful readers and teens to become impactful leaders, ready to succeed in school and life, building stronger communities for all. Our grant supports the expansion of their programming to Renton and Tukwila school districts, and the completion of an expansion plan for serving additional school districts in future years.
Technology Access Foundation
Technology Access Foundation works with K-12 public education in Washington state to create access to transformative systems of learning for students and teachers of color to eliminate race-based disparities. Our grant supports TAF’s Network for EdWork program to provide a community for educators and leaders of color to help sustain and grow inclusive and equitable schools.
The Seattle Foundation
Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all. Our grant supports the organization’s pivot to a new business model.
The Seattle Times
The Seattle Times is committed to providing principled, quality, public-service journalism — and continuing to innovate to ensure the future of the local free press. Our grant supports the organization’s Mental Health Project, which is focused on covering mental and behavioral health; spotlighting promising treatments and research; and examining related actions by government agencies.
The Seattle Times
The Seattle Times is committed to providing principled, quality, public-service journalism — and continuing to innovate to ensure the future of the local free press. Our grant enables its efforts to expand coverage of early childhood education issues, needs, and solutions and provide mainstream news content on under-covered topics.
The Young Mens Christian Association Of Greater Seattle
The collective goal of Washington YMCAs is to create safe, nurturing environments where young people can thrive. Our grant funding will empower YMCAs throughout Washington State to significantly expand their diverse and inclusive programs for low-income youth, enhancing their opportunities for personal growth, academic success, and social-emotional development.
The Young Mens Christian Association Of Greater Seattle
The YMCA of Greater Seattle operates wellness programs and provides a range of services from prevention to intervention, with an emphasis on serving youths and families. Our grant supports both the YMCA’s Vision 2025 to advance equity and justice for all through Whole Person Health and the vital work of the Y Social Impact Center, which offers youth counseling, housing, education, and case management services.
Treehouse
Through advocacy, programs, and partnerships, Treehouse improves educational outcomes and addresses systemic barriers for youth in foster care. Treehouse empowers these young people to achieve academic success by strengthening supports for foster care youth from pre-kindergarten until they achieve a degree or credential, living wage, and stable housing.
United Way of the Blue Mountains
A program of United Way of the Blue Mountains, Elevate is a place-based partnership that acts as a catalyst for change, working to eliminate barriers to student success and build better alignment across the educational continuum within Washington’s Columbia and Walla Walla counties, as well as the Milton-Freewater area.
University of Washington – Center for Child & Family Well-Being
The Center for Child & Family Well-Being at the University of Washington transforms innovative research in child and family well-being into practical solutions to ensure all children, youth, and families are resilient and thriving. Our grant assists in advancing a task-sharing model for implementing prevention programs that promote well-being in underserved communities.
University of Washington College of Education
University of Washington College of Education strives to transform inequitable systems of education and create just, sustainable, and culturally thriving democracies by engaging in dynamic partnerships, practices, and research. Our grant seeks to support the College to increase the number of highly qualified early educators and leaders in WA state. Cost-of-attendance scholarships coupled with intentional recruitment efforts are designed to attract and retain underrepresented and BIPOC early learning scholars, faculty, and policy leaders.
University of Washington College of Education
The University of Washington College of Education’s Brotherhood Initiative empowers men of color to thrive on campus and prepare for a lifetime of leadership, service, and success. Our grant supports the Brotherhood Initiative as they double their cohort sizes and serve more students with research-based strategies for college retention and graduation.
University of Washington School of Social Work
University of Washington School of Social Work promotes social and economic justice for poor and oppressed populations and enhances the quality of life for all through education, research, and public service. Our grant supports a broad, collaborative response to Washington’s behavioral health crisis by expanding the diversity and numbers of well prepared, debt relieved students graduating from master’s programs in social work and mental health counseling who go on to work in community based behavioral health programs.
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle empowers (ULMS) Black and other historically underserved people to thrive for generations through social and economic justice. ULMS implements its mission within the Seattle/King County service area through advocacy, direct programming, community outreach, and coalition building in seven major areas of focus: housing, education, workforce development, public health, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and financial empowerment. Our grant supports the organization’s homeless programming and housing security work including its housing complex in partnership with the King County Regional Homeless Authority that has 36 units.
UW Medicine
UW Medicine is a health system serving the people of the Puget Sound region in Washington state, and is connected with UW School of Medicine and Research Centers and Institutes. Our grant expands Washington state’s behavioral workforce over five years through an innovative training program for Behavioral Health Support Specialists for undergraduate students in colleges around the state in partnership with the UW Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
WA Charters Action
WA Charters advocates for and supports high quality charter public schools in Washington state, which are free and open to all students and are built on the belief that every student should have the chance to go to a great school that puts their needs first, regardless of zip code, income, or ability level. Our grant supports WA Charters’ advocacy for state policies that close the funding gap for charter schools and extend the timeframe for 40 schools to be approved, ultimately helping to create a more equitable, high quality public education system for all students.
Washington Association for Children and Families Institute for Practice Improvement
The Washington Association for Children & Families works to strengthen families and champion bright futures for children, youth, and families across Washington state. It formed the Institute for Practice Improvement to provide technical assistance and training to private agencies committed to the well-being of children and families to improve their practice and implement innovative practices.
Washington Council for Behavioral Health
Washington Council for Behavioral Health provides education, training, technical assistance, and advocacy for its 40+ member agencies that deliver behavioral health services in every region in WA State. Our grant supports the Council’s work to prepare behavioral health providers for an upcoming change in service delivery and reimbursement, which will better ensure access to coordinated and comprehensive behavioral healthcare for everyone, regardless of ability to pay, residence, age, or diagnosis.
Washington School Based Health Alliance
The Washington School-Based Health Alliance (WA SBHA) advances health equity for youth by supporting the state’s school-based health centers. School-based health centers offer integrated physical, mental, dental, and other health services, aiming to meet the healthcare needs of a diverse population of students directly on campus. WA SBHA brings together students, schools, and families; strengthens existing healthcare connections; provides care for students without access; and keeps students healthy and ready to learn.
Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP
Washington State Association of Head Start & Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program undertakes collective advocacy for the children and families farthest from opportunity, high quality professional development, and opportunities for parents, staff and directors to learn from each other and together improve the lives of children and families throughout Washington state. Our grant supports the Association’s Parent Ambassador Program, which prepares parents to advocate for Early Childhood Education and empowers parents to engage in the process of decision making that affects their children’s outcomes and family well being.
Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is led by a nine member governor appointed board and advocates, coordinates, and directs Washington state’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges. Our grant supports the Washington state guided pathways reform, which is a student centered, equitable framework to increase and diversify the students and communities accessing and earning high value community college credentials.
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is the lead agency for state-funded services that support children and families to build resilience and health and to improve educational outcomes. Our grant supports the creation of a facilities plan that will help DCYF, its partners, and others understand statewide and local facilities needs to support Washington state’s mixed-delivery early care and education programs, including childcare, state-funded preschool, Head Start, Transition to Kindergarten, and others.
Washington State Department of Commerce
The Washington State Department of Commerce is a government agency that focuses on community and economic development, which includes planning, infrastructure, energy, public facilities, housing, public safety, international trade, and business services. Our grant supports the Child Care Partnership Grant program which seeks to increase child care accessibility in communities experiencing child care shortages.
Washington State Department of Health
Washington State Department of Health works to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state. Our grant supports the Department’s Birth Equity Project and its investments in community-based organizations around Washington to provide holistic, culturally congruent, and multigenerational approaches to improving the health of birthing parent and baby.
Washington State Hospital Association
Washington State Hospital Association represents all the hospitals and health systems in Washington state, and advocates for and provides value to its members in achieving their missions and improving the health of their communities. Our grant supports their TeamBirth collaboration to improve equity and outcomes for birthing families across the state.
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship connects the state’s leading industries with top Washington talent by reducing barriers to education and training and facilitating entry into high demand careers for Washington students. The organization is committed to establishing an equitable pathway for future trade, STEM, and health care leaders, and uses an equity lens in all aspects of its work with scholars.
Washington STEM
Council for a Strong America (CSA) engages leaders from all sectors who promote evidence-based policies and programs that enable kids to be healthy, well-educated, and prepared for productive lives. Our grant supports CSA utilizing two arms of the organization, ReadyNation and Mission:Readiness, to cultivate support for critical early childhood policies.
Washington STEM
Washington STEM is dedicated to advancing excellence, innovation, and equity in STEM education across Washington state, focusing on leveraging STEM for social change and creating pathways to economic security for systemically underserved students. Our grant supports Washington STEM’s early childhood education (ECE) initiatives, specifically enhancing access to and use of data to inform policy decisions. This investment will help improve data tools and advocacy efforts, ultimately expanding access to high-quality early care and education for priority populations.
Washington Student Achievement Council
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to improving educational attainment in Washington State. Our grant will assist WSAC in achieving its goal of having 70% of Washington adults obtain a postsecondary credential by enhancing regional partnerships aimed at dismantling structural barriers that hinder educational access and outcomes.
Wellspring Family Services
Wellspring Family Services prevents homelessness for families by removing barriers and providing key supports that allow families to remain stably housed in Washington state. Our grant provides support for Wellspring to continue proving their Family Services Program in King County, while also expanding the program to Pierce County and exploring potential expansion into Snohomish County.
Wonderland Child & Family Services
Wonderland Child & Family Services serves children with developmental delays, disabilities, and prenatal substance exposure, helping them meet healthy developmental milestones. Our grant supports the operations and replication of its Hope RISING Clinic, which offers comprehensive services for children with prenatal substance exposure.
WorkLife Partnership
WorkLife Partnership (WLP) is dedicated to economic equity and thriving workplaces across the country. WorkLife deploys its Resource Navigator benefit inside of businesses to provide personalized, immediate, one-on-one assistance when workers need it most, addressing needs such as legal aid, childcare, and utilities/rental assistance, while focusing on the long-term emotional, financial, and career growth of workers. Our grant supports WLP’s partnership with Washington Association for Children & Families to provide its member employees within the child and family services sector with resource navigation and job quality consultation services. These individuals, operating in emotionally demanding environments, will be supported by Resource Navigation services, which focus on their well-being and resilience. Employers and employees will also benefit from Job Quality initiatives to enhance workplace conditions.
Year Up United
Year Up United is dedicated to closing the opportunity divide by providing young adults with hands-on job training and paid internships, empowering them to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Our grant will support Year Up United’s efforts to enroll at least 720 students in their Career Pathways programming in Puget Sound over the next three years. This investment will enhance their collaboration with community colleges and expand their Career Connect offerings, ultimately fostering a thriving talent ecosystem and creating lasting economic opportunities for young adults in the region.
Young Womens Christian Association of Seattle-King County-Snohomish County
YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and ensuring all people in the community have the opportunity to thrive. Our grant provides support to all 10 YWCA affiliates across Washington state that provide a range of core services including housing/homelessness (emergency shelter, transitional/permanent housing, advocacy), health and safety (legal advocacy, domestic violence services and support groups, behavioral health, childcare, domestic violence prevention and education), and economic mobility (job training, financial literacy and coaching, and supportive employment).
Youth Eastside Services
YES (Youth Eastside Services) is a lifeline for kids and families in East King County, Washington, who are coping with challenges such as emotional distress, substance abuse, and violence. Through intervention, outreach, and prevention, YES builds confidence and personal responsibility, strengthens family relationships, and advocates for a safer community that cares for its youth.
Youth Guidance
Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children and youth to overcome obstacles, focus on their education and, ultimately, to succeed in school and in life. Our grant expands and strengthens the BAM (Becoming A Man) program in King County, Washington, aiming to improve the well-being of boys and young men through mentoring and counseling while strengthening their school engagement, academic attainment, and future opportunities.