Giving Guide 2018

1 R Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018 29 GIVING GUIDE Seattle Foundation’s GIVEBIG unites people to give generously so that we can create a stronger, more vibrant community for all. What makes for a healthy community for all? Seattle Foundation is committed to creating an inclusive com- munity where all have equi- table access to opportunity and the benefits of a healthy community. Its Healthy Community Framework is comprised of eight elements that make for a vibrant, sustainable region. They are arts and culture, basic needs, economic opportunity, edu- cation, environment, global giving, health and wellness, and vibrant communities. Within each element, Se- attle Foundation’s team has identified targeted strategies where community and phil- anthropic investment can have measurable impact. Basic Needs: Hunger, homelessness and the lack of affordable housing have all increased in tandem with our region’s dramatic growth. The demograph- ics of people experiencing homelessness and hunger reflect the stark inequities in our community. Stable housing and healthy food are pillars of security, and research demonstrates that meeting these basic needs allows children and adults to realize their potential. Strate- gies to make homelessness a rare and one-time occur- rence through investments in prevention, targeted services and rapid rehousing are strong ways to address this issue. Economic Opportu- nity: Seattle’s regional economy is strong and grow- ing, but economic opportu- nity remains uneven across our region, with substantial and persistent disparities by race, age and place. There is a growing need for well- trained employees in the region and to invest in small businesses and start-up enterprises in underserved communities. Innovative partnerships between indus- try and educational institu- tions will help make training programs more accessible and affordable. Education: Providing ev- ery child with a high-quality education is one of our most important responsibilities as a community. Student success requires solutions that cut across systems and include the communi- ties, schools and districts most impacted. Support- ing organizations working to strengthen community schools helps increase the number of resilient stu- dents with higher education aspirations who grow up to reach their full potential. Health & Wellness: Healthy communities are strong communities. They are surrounded by opportu- nities to exercise, eat health- fully, live in safe neighbor- hoods, and have equitable access to health care, includ- ing preventative services. The most successful health and wellness initiatives are driven by the communities they are serving. Environment: Ensuring that our regional environ- ment is healthy and inclusive means making sure that all communities have access to and benefit from greenspace and waterways. Too often residents in our lowest- income neighborhoods experience higher levels of pollution, greater risk of severe health problems, lon- ger commutes, and limited access to healthy foods and open space. Our region’s growth should be managed in a way that is environmen- tally sustainable, economi- cally viable and benefits all communities. Arts & Culture: Arts and culture are essential to the health and vibrancy of Greater Seattle. Art gives us the opportunity to connect with people whose lives are vastly different from our own, and learn from other cultures. Arts programs and organizations build diverse audiences, encourage partici- pation in the arts, support small-scale arts groups and artists, and contribute to our quality of life and regional economy. Vibrant Communities: Strengthening nonprofit organizations representing communities of color and other marginalized groups helps to ensure that we have stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods and com- munities across the region. Residents who understand their neighborhood’s needs are best positioned to spear- head positive change. Global Giving: Greater Seattle residents and or- ganizations care about the broader world and invest in helping address global issues like poverty, health disparities, gender inequality, natural disasters and human rights. Our region is home to many local organizations leading on these issues and working to develop a more sustainable world. Framing how you GIVE- BIG around these elements of a healthy community and investing in nonprofits using these approaches helps to create a thriving region that is equitable and filled with opportunity for all. A healthy community is equitable and offers opportunity to all