Washington Women's Foundation Awards $475,000 in Pooled Grants to Five Local Nonprofits

SEATTLE, Jun 18, 2009 — Washington Women's Foundation has awarded grants to five local nonprofit organizations totaling $475,000. Grant winners include Northwest African American Museum, College Access Now, Cascade Land Conservancy, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, and The Mockingbird Society.

"These five organizations are doing vital work in our community, and they are poised and ready to do more," said Carla Lewis, president of Washington Women's Foundation. "We are honored to support their future endeavors with large impact grants funded by our members."

Interest in the foundation's collective giving model - where members pool their resources to make a major impact - is at an all-time high, according to Lewis. "Our membership ranks recently topped 500 for the first time in our 13-year history, and member participation in foundation activities has never been stronger," she said. "During these tough economic times, more women are coming together to build and strengthen our community."

A record number of nonprofits submitted letters of inquiry for foundation grants this year - a 63 percent increase over 2008 levels. Grant winners were selected through a rigorous research and review process and voted on by the entire membership of Washington Women's Foundation.

Pooled grants of $87,500 or $100,000 were awarded in each of the foundation's five giving areas - arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services. Here's a closer look at the award-winning organizations and how they intend to use the grant dollars:

Northwest African American Museum documents and exhibits the unique historical and cultural experience of African Americans in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The $87,500 foundation grant will provide general operating support for the museum, including funding for educational programming, exhibits and lectures.

College Access Now helps talented, motivated and economically disadvantaged students prepare for and earn admission to college. The $100,000 grant will support the expansion of this program to a third Seattle public high school.