A Los Angeles Times article recently dubbed Seattleites “snow wimps” after our mid-January wintry blast shut down much of the city. Clearly, what the LA
Times didn’t know was that despite the snow, ice, and generally nasty weather, nearly 1,300 volunteers (and volunteer managers!) throughout King County left the comfort of their warm homes to spend the day serving the community in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Students from Seattle University and the University of Washington came…

Recruit and maximize your volunteers with the Volunteer Impact Program. Through this partnership between United Way of King County and 501 Commons, now in its third year, your organization can gain the tools to bring high-value volunteers on board, as well as utilize and retain them.

The free VIP program provides more than $20,000 in assessment, training and consulting services to boost your organization’s ability to engage and manage volunteers. In an era of diminishing financial resources, this is a real plus.

Take…

Everyone at United Way is deeply saddened by the sudden death this weekend of state senator Scott White. Scott was not only a committed public servant, but someone who was smart, funny and kind. He served on United Way’s public policy advisory group, and we will miss his wise counsel. Our hearts go out to his children and to his wife, Alison Carl White, a member of the United Way board. Go here for details of a memorial fund.

As you may have heard, United Way of King County’s Day of Caring is the single largest day of volunteering in Washington State, and this year we anticipate over 10,000 people will spend the day volunteering with local organizations. That’s huge! Already, 9,000 people have signed up to volunteer all over King County, including groups from Microsoft, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AT&T and many more. Use the search box on the map below to see where your favorite local company will…

United Way of King County is launching a new effort to increase the economic stability of 1,600 members of the immigrant and refugee community. Six local service providers were selected though a highly competitive process to provide employment and job training services to immigrants and refugees living in King County. United Way is investing $454,000 in this effort in each of the two next years.

Thanks to the combined advocacy of our United Way constituents nd partner organizations, United Way of King County was able to achieve many of its legislative asks even in one of the most challenging economic years on record.  Below is a summary of the outcomes of our main advocacy efforts for FY 2011-2013.

 2011-2013 Budget Outcomes

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How would you like to be part of the largest day of volunteering in Washington State? Whether you’re looking to recruit a group of volunteers to help out at your nonprofit for a day, or you’re interested in organizing a group of colleagues to volunteer, United Way’s Day of Caring is the event for you! On Friday, September 16^th, thousands of volunteers (last year over 10,000 people participated) will spend the day at hundreds of King County nonprofits, schools, city parks, and childcare centers helping with…

United Way has released a Request for Proposals for Funding to Support Employment Services for Immigrants and/or Refugees in King County. Beginning in July 2011, United Way will invest $450,000 in programs that prepare and connect low income immigrants and/or refugees to employment opportunities.

Of all the events United Way of King County spearheads throughout the year, the Community Resource Exchange is by far my favorite.

In one place, on one day—so many who are struggling to just survive have a day where it’s all about them.

Throughout the day, I and dozens of other volunteers were helping to find people who would be willing to share their stories with us.

For me, the most moving moments were hearing from young homeless women and their kids.

I…

Last Friday United Way of King County held it’s 6th Community Resource Exchange (CRE) at Qwest Field. While we’re still crunching the numbers, it is estimated that about 1,700 people experiencing homelessness accessed services, from foot washing to dental work, at the event. Seattle’s Q13 Fox News was on site covering the event and interviewing guests. Check out their short piece below.