Center for Community Partnerships

The values of equity and opportunity are the central principles guiding Seattle Foundation’s mission. We founded the Center for Community Partnerships to focus directly on targeted efforts to achieve greater racial and economic equity. Understanding that social problems are products of networks of cause and effect at a policy level, the Center focuses on advancing systems change as the most effective way to advance this goal.

The Center employs multiple strategies, including grantmaking, civic leadership, impact investing, research and technical assistance. We award localized grants and make multi-year investments in high-impact efforts. We hold forums to spark conversations, establish action-oriented task forces and incubate promising new initiatives. Giving voice to issues and elevating promising solutions in the media is another way we advance the cause of equity and opportunity.

Most importantly, we partner directly with residents at the grassroots level. Through decades of support and investment in neighborhood groups led by and for community members, we can better direct our investments in ways that make a measurable difference in people’s lives.

Our current initiatives -- Communities of Opportunity, Vibrant Democracy Initiative and Neighbor to Neighbor -- together create a holistic approach to community-engaged systems and policy change.