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WWF Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013

Planning for the future and guided by the best of our traditions, the Foundation is stepping up to a bolder level of philanthropy, looking deeper into the needs of our community and demonstrating the positive impact that results from informed, focused philanthropy.

Click here to read the program details of the Strategic Plan.

Our Vision

To change the course of women’s philanthropy through the power of collective giving

Our Mission

Washington Women's Foundation educates, inspires and increases the number of women committed to philanthropy in order to strengthen community and demonstrate the impact that can result from informed, focused grant making.

Our Core Values

Collaboration
Connection
Education
Equality
Impact
Inclusiveness
Leadership

Our History

In September 1995, Washington Women’s Foundation was created to allow women to pool their financial resources to make large high-impact gifts to improve our community, while improving their skills as philanthropists. The idea was the brainchild of our founder, Colleen Willoughby. The approach was innovative and appealing and attracted over 100 Seattle area women to be founding members. Members organized into work groups to study the needs of the community during the winter, and awarded their first pooled grant of $100,000 in June to Mothers Against Violence in America. In addition, each member made an individual grant to an organization of her own choice.

In those early days, the foundation was staffed by its founder on a volunteer basis, the offices were located in her office at the Rainier Tower and there were 5 board members.

Over time, the Foundation offered educational forums, the membership increased and the pooled fund grew. By 2001 Washington Women’s Foundation reached 350 members and was able to grant one impact grant in each interest area for the first time.

Moving day to our current offices in the 2100 Building in south Seattle took place in January 2003. In 2006 WWF celebrated its 10th anniversary and held a special celebratory meeting at Benaroya Hall with Governor Christine Gregoire as its speaker.

Today, the Foundation has over 500 members. The grant committee reviews more than 250 Letters of Inquiry annually. Since 1996, our members together have invested nearly $9.5 million benefiting more than 940 nonprofit organizations.

Washington Women’s Foundation’s innovative model has inspired over 16 other funds in cities across the United States. The concept of giving together allows more individuals to participate in philanthropy and provides members the opportunity to leverage their single gift with others for maximum benefit to their communities.

A significant benchmark was reached in April 2008 when Carla Lewis was selected to lead the foundation as its new President. She and the Foundation are uniquely poised to continue the pioneering work that was begun in 1995 and rise to new levels of engagement for the new times in which we live.

EarthCorps
2006 Grantee