The work we do in Seattle is rooted in the Gates family’s deep commitment to their hometown.
Throughout his many years of philanthropy and engagement in the Seattle region, Bill Gates Sr., the first employee of the foundation, worked tirelessly to address challenges and create opportunities for his neighbors to flourish. We continue to honor his legacy by supporting the nonprofits that provide critical support to our region’s most vulnerable community members.
We provide community-driven grants to local organizations in and around Seattle who are closest to the needs of their neighbors and neighborhoods. Most of these are multi-year grants that provide unrestricted funding to give nonprofits flexibility.
Grant examples
Access to basic needs
We support organizations that provide wrap-around services to individuals experiencing food insecurity and housing instability—organizations like the Emergency Food Network, Family First Community Center, Nourish Pierce County, and Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center.
Support for refugees and immigrants
We provide grants to organizations who are supporting refugees and immigrants who are resettling in Washington state, including the Refugee Women’s Alliance, Asian Counseling and Referral Services, El Centro de la Raza, and Tacoma Community House.
Housing security and homelessness
We fund nonprofits working on the ground to end homelessness and connect people to safe, affordable, and stable housing. In recent years, we’ve provided grants to Chief Seattle Club, Community Roots Housing Foundation, and Wellspring Family Services.
Strengthening the nonprofit sector
Through flexible funding, we help nonprofits build their capacity and expand their services so they can continue to deliver on their mission. That includes grants to Potlatch Fund, Black Future Co-Op Fund, and BIPOC ED Coalition.
A recent University of Washington study found that “28% of working-age households struggle to meet their basic needs, a significant rise from 22% in 2019.”
Community Engagement grants in 2023
Blogs and Resources
More about what we do
Nearly 90% of Washington’s high schoolers say they want to continue their education after graduation, but only 50% enroll in postsecondary programs today. We’re working with partners to change that.
We believe high-quality charter schools—which are free and open to all—are an important part of Washington’s public school system, giving families additional options to help meet the needs of all students.