Washington Women’s Foundation

WHO WE ARE In 1995 five visionary leaders, Colleen Willoughby, Rhoda Altom, Suzanne Lile Hunter, Anne V. Farrell, and Faye Sarkowsky, created the Washington Women’s Foundation. Their approach was revolutionary, but simple: We can do far more as a collective of philanthropists than individually. Together, they gathered over one hundred women who agreed to pool resources to support organizations driving change in Washington State. More than two decades later, we are that same collective of women, continuing to support change and changemakers in Washington State. Now hundreds of women strong, we believe in the model of collective giving, the importance of learning from a place of humility and curiosity, and the powerful change Washington nonprofits are driving in communities across Washington State. We are here to learn about Washington communities, the challenges we face, and fund the transformative work of nonprofits and individuals across our state. We are continuing to raise the bar and push the boundaries of philanthropy. How can we be better, bolder philanthropists? Join us and find out! Our Vision To change the course of women’s philanthropy through the power of collective giving. Our Mission WA Women’s Foundation is a strong and inclusive collective of informed women who together influence community transformation. We do this: - Through individual and collective discovery. - Through high-impact grant making. - By listening to and respecting all voices in our community. In All Things, We Will - Build relationships - Elevate or amplify the power of all who identify as women - Be bold - Support and celebrate each other - Embrace discomfort - Advance equity - Counteract the systems built and maintained by systemic oppression - Share power - Enter partnerships and conversations with a learning mindset - Be in community We embrace these values by upholding a shared set of community norms that guide our work with one another and our larger community.