Washington Federal Foundation
The Washington Federal Foundation's purpose is to facilitate direct giving to community-based nonprofits that primarily serve the needs of people with low-and-moderate incomes.
Our Impact on the Community in Action
We are blown away by the generosity of WaFd Bank. We will be using this money to help subsidize our 6 units at Emerson Harbor (in Chelan, Washington). This is a game changer for us. When combined with other fundraising efforts we are now able to keep all 6 of the homes in our portfolio and not sell any at market rate (we had previously planned to sell 2 units at market rate to help subsidize the remaining 4 units). We had applied for a grant through [Washington Federal Foundation] and it was mentioned we would be getting something, 20kish, which would, by itself, have been amazing. 20k was double what we asked for. When Ken [McLain, Inland Northwest Regional President, WaFd Bank] turned the check over to reveal $80,000, I was shocked. We knew there was the 3:1 match program but for some reason thought WaFd was not able to utilize it. Boy are we glad they did. This donation is one of the all-time best for our organization, and one that will not be forgotten. We are so blessed to have WaFd as partners, it makes a world of difference…I really believe that WaFd is trying to help with the housing crisis going on locally, and that means a lot to me - to all of us.
Scott Meyers, Executive Director, Chelan Valley Housing Trust
We direct our monthly contributions to these primary areas:
Emergency and Sustainable Housing
We support organization like Habitat for Humanity, land trusts, and other low-income housing programs that get people into stable homes. We also support homeless and emergency shelters and organizations that provide basic needs, wrap around services, wellness programs, social services, sustainable senior living, and other housing programs that help get people back on their feet and move out of poverty.
Food and Nutrition
With the abundance of food in our society today, no one should go hungry. We support organizations that deliver food and nutritious meals to those in need.
Economic Stability and Job Development
Economic stability means people have the essentials they need to live a healthy life. Living wage jobs are a corner stone in the stability that lifts people out of poverty. We support organizations and programs that provide employment training, access to affordable childcare, reliable transportation, access to quality healthcare, career counseling, education services, disability services, workforce training, small business entrepreneurialism, and employment stability.
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy How to get out of debt, write a check, create a budget, or save for a home. These are all important skills everyone needs to build bright and stable financial futures. We give to organizations that provide financial literacy education so individuals and families can make empowered and informed financial decisions.
Employee Involvement
Washington Federal Foundation will consider small grants to charitable organizations where our employees serve in a leadership role or as a board member.
Some Exclusions: While we gladly consider all requests, the Foundation giving focus does not include individual scholarships, government agencies, museums or galleries, research into disease prevention or cures, sponsorships or contributions to sport teams, fundraising events or special events.