We’re excited to share another update from the 2023 Collective Grants Committee! Since our last update, the committee has been working to thoughtfully research 30 organizations in our three priorities: Food Sovereignty & Security, Early Childhood Education, and Reproductive Justice & Maternal Health. This is the second year of our re-imagined grants process, and we continue to lean into the trust-based philanthropy practice of doing the homework but conducting our own research instead of asking for a full proposal. To aid in our research, organizations were invited to share a current budget as well as any materials they had on hand, including applications to other funders, annual reports, recordings of events and more.  

After their research, the grant committee gathered to discuss and select 5 organizations in each priority to move forward to the next phase of our grants process, conversations. We’re honored to share a bit about the 15 organizations that the committee will connect with later this month. If you’re interested in learning more about what the committee found as part of their research, check out the Research Summary Booklet, which will be shared in the member newsletter. 

Food Sovereignty & Security 

Alimentando al Pueblo: promotes healing through comunidad, comida, and celebración. (community, food, and celebration) 

Black Farmers Collective: builds a Black-led food system by developing a cooperative network of food system actors, acquiring and stewarding land, facilitating food system education, and creating space for Black liberation in healing and joy.  

FEEST (Food Empowerment Education & Sustainability Team) : trains youth of color and working-class youth to build collective power and organize for transformative and systemic change in their schools.  

Global to Local: works to reduce health and social disparities in south King County, primarily in immigrant and refugee communities. 

Peacekeeper Society: provides life changing opportunities for indigenous people, but striving to serve everyone regardless of age, ethnicity, color, enrollment or immigration status.  

Early Childhood Education 

Communities of Rooted Brilliance: embracing traditional customs and values, CRB provides newcomers with community-inspired educational opportunities that create pathways for self-determination as they weave into the fabric of their newfound home.  

Denise Louie Education Center: promotes school and life readiness by providing multicultural early learning services to children and families, especially those who need our services the most.  

East African Community Services: inspires refugee and immigrant families to succeed from cradle to career and beyond. 

First Five Years & Beyond: provides parents with the tools skills and resources to support their children in early education and beyond. 

Voices Of Tomorrow: preserves immigrant & refugee children’s identity through culturally responsive child-focused programs. 

Reproductive Justice & Maternal Health 

Foundation for Youth Resiliency and Engagement: advocates for equitable opportunities that allow youth to thrive.  

Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services: envisions healthy Indigenous babies being born into healthy Indigenous families being supported by healthy Indigenous communities.  

Open Arms Perinatal Services: Provides community-based support during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting to nurture strong foundations that last a lifetime. 

Perinatal Support Washington: shines a light on perinatal mental health to support all families and communities.  

Ttáwaxt Birth Justice Center: reduces infant and maternal mortality by nurturing a healthy birthing community grounded in Indigenous ancestral knowledge. 

Next Steps 

Next up, the Grants Committee will be conducting conversations with these organizations to learn more about their work and select two in each category (6 total) to move forward to the Ballot. All organizations that do not move forward at that time will receive a $3000 grant. Save the date for our Grant Award Celebration on June 13^th to celebrate together! 

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Merit Awardees 

The following organizations were considered in the Research Phase of the grant process but will not advance to the Conversation Phase. In recognition of their investment in our grant process they have been awarded a $1,500 Merit Award. As wonderful organizations doing important work in our community, we hope that you will learn more about them and consider supporting them individually!  
 

Food Sovereignty & Security 

Community to Community Development: reclaims humanity by redefining power in order to end white supremacy and structural racism in all of its manifestations including settler colonialism, capitalism, and patriarchy in their external and internalized forms. 

Living Well Kent: provides public spaces and initiatives that encourage healthier lifestyles and better living. 

Rainier Valley Food Bank: nourishes with good food, empowers with knowledge, and serves with compassion. 

Skagit Gleaners: rescues and redistributes abundant food and merchandise to waste conscious working families, fostering a community of sustainability and stewardship. 

White Center Food Bank: minimizes hunger while nourishing community, nurturing self-reliance, and embracing our rich cultural diversity. 

Early Childhood Education 

La Casa Hogar: connects and educates Latinx families, to transform lives and our Yakima Valley. 

Launch: leads the charge to brilliant outcomes for the children of our community by ensuring equitable access to the highest quality learning and care.  

Para Los Niños: organizes Latino/a/x families to transform their communities to create academic and life success for every Latino student.   

Raze Early Learning and Development Center: provides culturally immersive, individualized curriculum, and instruction that validates and affirms Black culture. 

Zeno: sparks joy and inspires a love of math in young children and families through racial equity, family engagement, and play, all centered in the experiences of communities of color.  

Reproductive Justice & Maternal Health 

Mother Africa: supports African women, immigrants, and refugees and their families, to help them reach their highest potential. 

Neighborcare Health: provides comprehensive health care to families and individuals who have difficulty accessing care; responds with sensitivity to the needs of culturally diverse patients; and advocates and works with others to improve the overall health status of the communities served. 

Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho: provides exceptional reproductive and complementary health care services, honest education, and fearless advocacy for all.  

The Health Center: advances the success of students by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs. 

Tubman Center for Health & Freedom: addresses health and wellness from both systemic and clinical approaches.