We envision a thriving region of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice, where all individuals and communities have equitable access and outcomes, regardless of race, place, or identity.
Blueprint for Impact
The Blueprint for Impact is Seattle Foundation’s guiding framework that outlines a series of bold strategies for advancing racial equity, shared prosperity, and belonging in our region. Our region has undergone unprecedented economic growth while racial and wealth disparities have increased, and the compounding crises of 2020 – from the COVID-19 pandemic to our nation’s racial reckoning – have only accelerated inequities.
The Blueprint for Impact is informed by lessons from our past, bolstered by data revealing stark racial inequities among Black, Indigenous, People of Color and under-resourced communities, and encouraged by the belief that centering equity in our work will lead to a better future for all.
The Blueprint for Impact creates a path toward long-term, systemic change by directing philanthropic dollars to initiatives led by communities most impacted. We understand root causes are due to structural flaws, not individual efforts, and we need to transform the way our systems work to truly work for everyone. Changing systems requires patient, durable capital that will not waver with elections nor business cycles, and philanthropy is uniquely positioned to focus on a problem for decades instead of months or years. Philanthropy as field – and Seattle Foundation – now need to take more and different kinds of risks.
The Blueprint for Impact is our commitment, informed by decades of partnership with local nonprofit organizations. Seattle Foundation’s relationships with diverse communities has enabled candid feedback, and our partners’ deep expertise has profoundly informed our approach to grantmaking and helped us direct resources to communities most impacted. In the past five years, Seattle Foundation has dramatically expanded our core purpose to invest in strengthening community capacity and resilience through organizing and movement building, while growing leadership and power in communities most impacted by persistent inequities.
3 Pillars of a Thriving Region
The Foundation’s vision focuses on three reinforcing pillars that are fundamental to ensuring a thriving region of shared prosperity, belonging and justice for all. To advance towards a thriving region, we must make investments in community-led strategies and movements that enhance the capacity of nonprofits and leaders to do their best work and transform systems. We must trust in the vision of those most impacted, to bring about change that benefits all. Achieving these pillars will help the region realize the full promise by strengthening and supporting communities so they have the access, influence and voice for self-determination.
A Just Democracy
A Just Democracy ensures individuals and communities are fairly represented and hold political power such that policies and processes center those most impacted by inequities
Equitable Economy
An Equitable Economy ensures inclusive growth and fundamental financial security for individuals and communities
Resilient Environment
A Resilient Environment ensures that individuals and communities thrive in a healthy-built and natural environment
Impact
Learn About Different Programmatic Strategies
Center for Community Partnerships
The Center for Community Partnerships invests in 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.
Civic Leadership
As a civic leader, Seattle Foundation works to make our region a stronger, more vibrant community for all. We do more than invest money in our community. We use our expertise, leadership and voice to empower people to change policies and systems in ways that will create greater racial and economic equity.
Fund for Inclusive Recovery
The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated challenges facing our community including racial inequities, political violence, and economic devastation. The Fund for Inclusive Recovery is a new pooled fund that will help meet the critical needs of those most impacted by the pandemic.
REPAIR
REPAIR is a framework aimed at advancing and supporting Black-led community leadership. Designed to acknowledge and account for the harm that philanthropic under-investment has caused the Black community for generations, we are committing to a minimum investment of $25 million, across the entire foundation, to Black-led organizations over the next 5 years.
Be a catalyst
Reaching this vision requires us all. Please join us by telling us about yourself and how you’d like to invest in your community. A Seattle Foundation philanthropic advisor will be in touch shortly.
Variance Power
All donor funds established at Seattle Foundation are subject to the Foundation’s “variance power,” as set forth in Article VII(a)(i) of its Articles of Incorporation, as amended from time to time. The variance power gives the Foundation the authority to modify any donor recommendation or condition on distributions from a fund for any specified charitable purpose or to any specified charitable organization if, in the sole judgment of the Foundation, such recommendation or condition becomes unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community.