Giving Guide 2018

1 R Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018 27 that provide free play to shape young citizens, strengthen com- munities and encourage physical activity.” For this reason, this soccer field cannot be rented by third parties. “We want to guarantee the community it was built for retains ultimate ownership,” adds Fosberg. “We build with the community, not for the community.” Working with Seattle Housing Authority, RAVE also invested in the Yesler community for more than a new field. As part of RAVE’s GOALS for Art program, students worked with a com- munity artist and Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei to design ideas for the goals that are being installed at the field. Seattle Housing Authority, RAVE Foundation and Sound- ers FC are dedicated to the core value of social equity and are insistent that RAVE fields are always free, so kids and families have quality fields on which to play. These fields have already garnered national attention. In March, the U.S. Soccer Founda- tion awarded Seattle Housing Authority’s Yesler redevelopment with the 2018 Urban Soccer Symposium Innovative Award. There are plenty of reasons to root for Seattle’s sports teams. Knowing how important it is for them to better our community makes it even easier. Working at Seattle Foundation since 2012, Fidelma McGinn leads the team that advises individuals, fami- lies, and compa- nies on effective philanthropic strat- egies to support their community interests. Below, she provides some thoughts on the state of giving in Seattle in 2018. What is the most exciting develop- ment in local philanthropy right now? Donors large and small are beginning to learn more about the root causes of our community’s biggest challenges. Instead of focusing solely on meeting immediate needs, they are asking more about the forces and factors that create chronic problems such as homelessness, the educational achievement gap and health inequities. They are investing dollars in addressing these root causes, which will make a big difference in the long run. What encourages you about the future of philanthropy? It’s really encouraging to see how young people are getting involved – even at the elementary school level. Every year, we host a grantmaking cycle with our Youth Grantmaking Board of high school students. Their interest in learning more about the issues in our community, and their earnest interest in helping to solve some of our societal problems is really encouraging. What do you feel the impact of GIVEBIG has been on our commu- nity over the past eight years? It galvanized our community to really express their spirit of generosity and it reverberated across all sectors of the Puget Sound. As our area’s population continues to grow, is Seattle still viewed na- tionally as a giving community? When I connect with my peers across the country, they look with envy on the Emerald City as we have a reputation for being progressive as it re- lates to philanthropy. We certainly are fortunate to have landmark families and businesses who have stepped forward in remarkable ways, including the leadership of the Gates Family and Microsoft. And now, with new wealth being generated, there’s an opportunity for new people to engage and chart their own course. What advice do you have for small- er organizations to be recognized in a region that has such a sophisti- cated giving community? Have a clearly articulated plan to communicate your impact. Seek out creative partnerships with the main stream media and new digital channels to showcase that impact. Where do you recommend some- one new to Seattle go to find trust- worthy information on causes and organizations to support? As our region’s community foundation, we are keen to partner with this new generation of philanthro- pists, to offer advice and insights on how to be the most effective with their philanthropic resources. GIVING GUIDE Q&A with Fidelma McGinn, Seattle Foundation’s Vice President of Philanthropic Services Q Q Q Q Q Q SPORTS TEAMS Continued from page 19