Community Engagement
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.
We support nonprofits who are working on the ground to end homelessness and connect people to safe, stable housing.
We provide multi-year, flexible grants to local nonprofits serving our community’s most vulnerable members.
We respond to pressing community needs—whether an unprecedented pandemic or the impacts of rising housing costs and inflation.
Grant examples
Here are a few organizations our Community Engagement team has supported over the last few years.
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
Last year, our team supported nonprofits working on a range of issues—from housing security and homelessness to community and economic development.
38
Our Community Engagement team made 38 grants to local organizations in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in 2023.
40%
Nearly 40% of these grantees received Gates Foundation funding for the first time
$15M
The total grant funding to these organizations approached $15 million in 2023
Blogs and Resources
-
National Volunteer Month: Western Washington organizations looking for volunteers
Check out this list to see which opportunities spark your interest!
-
Washington voters want more postsecondary access
Gates Foundation newsletter highlights partners working to expand college access and strengthen financial aid.
-
How small, caring schools drove a FAFSA surge in Washington
Summit Public Schools shares how weekly mentoring, staff training, and equity-centered outreach helped two Washington campuses lead the state in FAFSA completion.
-
An update on our Washington state education work
The Gates Foundation is integrating its Washington State education strategy across the U.S. Program by 2030, focusing on high school to postsecondary transitions.
-
Celebrating 25 years of local community partnerships
This year would have marked Bill Gates Sr.’s 100th birthday. As the foundation celebrates its own 25th anniversary, there’s no better time to honor the man who ensured our commitment to the Seattle region has remained as steadfast as our global work. To mark these twin milestones, we recently awarded 25 one-time grants of $25,000 […]
-
November 2025: Students don’t succeed in isolation
How Washington communities are addressing food insecurity, expanding dual credit access, and strengthening career pathways to help students thrive despite challenges.
-
September 2025: The FAFSA is live!
Washington ranks 47th in FAFSA completion despite generous aid. Discover new initiatives helping students bridge the gap from aspiration to enrollment.
-
August 2025: Back to school, forward with purpose
Student-led change, new data, and real-world solutions shaping postsecondary success in Washington state this school year.
-
How Vancouver high school students turned data into dialogue
After attending the Gates Foundation’s Education Roundtable, three high school students led local community discussions that identified gaps and solutions in postsecondary enrollment.
-
June 2025: Bill Gates’ big news
Bill Gates made a historic $200 billion commitment to saving and improving lives over the next 20 years. Inspired by the work of our local partners, the Gates Foundation will continue to focus on education in the United States, including in Washington state.
More about what we do
Washington State Education
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.
Charter Schools
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.
Past projects
Explore some of our previous grant programs.