As part of a recent discussion around the state of human services, this blog post is written by Nick Federici, lobbyist for a range of nonprofits, including  United Way of King County

Over my two decades of advocacy for nonprofit human services agencies in Olympia, there has been both enormous change as well as continuity in the type of advocacy done with public officials.

The state’s policymaking process is still largely the same as it has been, with elected officials needing to hear from…

As part of a recent discussion around the state of human services, this blog is written by Ashley Hulsey, Vice President of Development, United Way of King County

In days gone by, many companies and generous individuals contributed money to various good causes in the community as part of their role of community leader and good neighbor. While giving is very much alive—and in many instances, almost back to pre-Great Recession levels—many corporate leaders and individual donors view their philanthropic giving more like an investment. They often…

As part of a recent discussion around the state of human services, this blog post is written by Carol Lewis, CEO, Philanthropy Northwest

The recent recession abruptly reversed the upward trajectory of philanthropy witnessed in the region between 2004 and 2008. This fact is made clear in the 2012 Trends in Northwest Giving report published by Philanthropy Northwest this April. The report analyzes more than $1 billion in grants made from foundations and corporations to the region’s nonprofits in 2010. The data reflects only…

As part of a recent discussion around the state of human services, this blog post is written by Alan Painter, Manager, Unincorporated Community Service Area Program, King County

Local governments, local foundations and nonprofit organizations have a long history of collaborating in King County to address the effects and root causes of poverty in our community. Examples of these collaborations include the shared approaches supporting housing and support services for homeless individuals, families and youth under the umbrella of the Committee to End Homelessness, as well as…

As part of a recent discussion around the state of human services, this blog post is written by Dannette R. Smith, Director, Seattle Human Services Department, City of Seattle

An obvious recent trend in nonprofit funding is the continuing impact of the global recession on the local economy. Everything is interrelated. Despite the fact that the City of Seattle has largely preserved funding for human services over the past few years, nonprofit agencies have endured severe cuts from federal, county and especially state…

As part of a recent discussion around the state of human services, this blog post is written by Nancy Long, Executive Director of 501 Commons

In March 2012 501 Commons conducted (1) interviews with 21 funders, capacity builders, and interim executive directors throughout Washington State and (2) a survey of 150 nonprofits. A summary of the survey results shows:

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As part of a recent discussion around the state of human services, this blog post is written by Debra Doyle, Regional Administrator, Community Services Division (CSD), Economic Services Administration (ESA), Department of Social and Health Services

The Community Services Division (CSD) provides cash, food, medical, child care, work supports and social services to help individuals and families meet their basic needs and achieve economic independence.  The Division oversees and determines eligibility for over a dozen anti-poverty programs serving over 2 million men, women…

As part of a recent discussion around the state of human services, this blog post is written by Susan Gemmel, 2-1-1 Director, King County 2-1-1, a program of Crisis Clinic

Both technology and the economic downturn have been major drivers in the way that access to services has changed over time. The need, and ability, to create system efficiencies has broadened access in some areas and narrowed access in others, such as:

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This blog post is written by Patty Hayes, RN, MN, Director, Community Health Services Division, Public Health – Seattle & King County

The economic downturn creates both an increased demand for services provided by nonprofits as well as an increased need for governmental programs while many of these programs are shrinking or facing elimination.  The experience of nonprofits can help to guide service development.  At WithinReach, a statewide nonprofit in WA that connects families to food and health resources, staff…

This blog post is written by Jon Gould, Deputy Director, Children’s Alliance

In the last five years, public policy advocacy for human services in Washington state has become more diverse in the following ways:  1) Communities of color are more organized and visible; 2) People directly affected by policies are more consistently visible in the halls of power, particularly the state Legislature; and 3) Coalitions, such as the Early Learning Action Alliance, are bringing together old and new partners to advocate with a…