SPOKANE, Wash. – YWCA Spokane, an organization working to help community members overcome social, economic and personal barriers, received a $12 million grant to support their efforts on Thursday.
Formerly known as the Young Women’s Christian Association, the YWCA is a nonprofit serving communities all over the country. Spokane’s location is just one out of ten locations in Washington State receiving grants, which were provided by investment company Ballmer Group.
YWCA Spokane has announced that the grant funding will support various programs and services aimed at employment, safety, and health. Other areas of focus include supporting victims of intimate partner domestic violence, promoting early childhood education and combating racial and social justice issues.
Designed to address the immediate needs of vulnerable community members, these initiatives will benefit more than 55,000 each year across Washington State served by the YWCA.
“This grant strengthens our ability to provide critical services for the communities we serve and amplifies YWCA’s collective power statewide to advance our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women,” states Jeanette Hauck, CEO of YWCA Spokane.
Ballmer Group has been supporting the YWCA in Seattle for 30 years. This year marks the first time that they have given statewide investments, according to the release.
“Ballmer Group is pleased to partner with the YWCAs across Washington State,” said Andi Smith, Executive Director for Ballmer Group Washington State and National Behavioral Health. “YWCA chapters provide crucial support to women and children and build stronger communities through their focus on housing, health and safety, and economic mobility.”
The ten Washington State locations receiving this grant include Bellingham, Clark County, Kitsap County, North Central Washington, Olympia, Pierce County, Seattle-King-Snohomish, Spokane, Walla Walla and Yakima.
The grant will be distributed over three years.
