Ignite Kirkland 2025: Doing Good, Giving Local — Together

Click for full view

How Ignite Kirkland 2025 Made Local Impact Possible

Ignite Kirkland is a community powered giving program, sponsored by the Kirkland Community Foundation. It connects local generosity with local nonprofit impact. In 2025, Ignite Kirkland helped Kirkland residents do good and give local together. In its second year, more nonprofit projects were funded and the increase in participation is demonstrating the strengthening a culture of philanthropy across the city.

This year, our community doubled its giving and helped fund 10 more projects than last year, strengthening local nonprofits and supporting neighbors across our city. From youth and seniors to families, artists, and people experiencing housing instability, Ignite Kirkland ensured generosity stayed local and moved quickly.

Youth Choice Awards

This year also reflected the power of youth leadership in philanthropy. Through the Ignite Youth Choice Awards, Kirkland teens stepped into the role of community givers. They worked together to learn how philanthropy works, discuss local needs, and direct funding to organizations they believed would make a meaningful difference. Their selections provided over $6,000 in support for: Friends of Youth, Eat Happy Now, Sophia’s Way, New Bethlehem, Assistance League of the Eastside, MEOW Cat Rescue, Kindering, and Connective Strength.

Nine Fully Funded Projects

Across the broader campaign, community giving helped fully fund projects for:
Lake Washington High School Booster Club Band, MEOW Cat Rescue, Eat Happy Now, Friends of Youth, Lake Washington United Methodist Church Safe Parking, The Sophia Way, Boys and Girls Clubs of King County Kirkland, Kirkland Kiwanis Foundation, and Kirkland Main Street.

Because of this collective effort:

People experiencing homelessness were welcomed with warmth and dignity
Kids will have the technology they need to succeed
Seniors will not have to spend limited income dollars caring for beloved companions
Teens experiencing homelessness will have access to culturally relevant food
New marching band uniforms will be seen at Lake Washington High School
Choir will return at Juanita Elementary
Community celebrations created spaces where everyone belongs

…and this is just a sampling of all the good to come!

Ignite Kirkland was made possible through the leadership of Amazon, along with the generous support of BECU, Columbia Bank, PSE, Lady Yum, Spud Fish and Chips, and The Village at Totem Lake.

This is Kirkland doing good together. Thank you.

Ignite Kirkland will return in 2026, and we look forward to continuing this work alongside our community. Stay tuned this year to hear stories of impact from this incredible program.

Founded in 2014, the Kirkland Community Foundation is a local community foundation supporting nonprofits across Kirkland and the Eastside. We connect donors, nonprofits, and community priorities through grants, partnerships, and local giving that strengthen our parks, people, and shared future. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 46‑4931717), we invest in thriving nonprofits, visible community impact, and trusted local leadership.

Quick links

Donate to KCF Catalyst Fund Create a Fund Nonprofit Services Contact Us Most recent 990 form Privacy Policy

Subscribe to KCF updates

603 4th Ave, Suite 500
Kirkland WA 98033

(425) 505-3348

Follow us:

KCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
EIN 46-4931717

Website support generously provided by Sitetherapy.net

Learn and stay connected to the Kirkland nonprofit community

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

First Last

Organization*

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Phone

Thanks for your interest in joining the Kirkland Charitable Collective! Submit your info and we'll get back to you with details soon.

First*

Last*

Email*

Phone*

Comments

HP Name

Spark Something Good - with the Kirkland Community Foundation

At the Kirkland Community Foundation, we serve as conveners, catalysts, and collaborators - and we know that new ideas need fuel to catch spark. That’s why we’ve created this space to hear from you.

Whether you’re ready to move forward with a community idea that shows the love in Kirkland, are seeking a small Spark Grant to bring something to life, or feel inspired to support a future project - you’re in the right place.

Let us know how you'd like to get involved, and someone from our team will follow up soon. Together, we can spark something good.

First*

Last*

Email*

Best phone number to reach you*

Why are you filling out this form? Check as many as apply.*

To share an idea about a future project that I am planning

To request a spark grant (under $100) to make a project a reality

To make a financial contribution to be applied to a for the love project

To volunteer or offer my skills

To find out more about the Kirkland Community Foundation

Other (add details below)

Please tell us a little more about your idea, the type of projects that would interest you, and/or the skills you’d like to offer, and we’ll follow up soon to discuss. *

Anything else you would like to add? - Stories, dreams or feedback welcome.

HP Name

Community Project Letter of Interest

Kirkland Community Foundation has long served as the hub for successful projects inititated by members of our community, including the Save Our Salmon mural and the Waverly Beach Picnic Shelter. Have an idea for a project? Please complete this form as an initial step in the process, and we'll be in touch!

First*

Last*

Email*

Phone

Street

City

State

ZIP Code

The story behind your idea —

Share what inspired you and what you hope to accomplish. Please include:

A description of your project and why it’s important
Who will benefit and how it will make a difference
Any partners, volunteers, or organizations involved
How this project aligns with KCF’s mission and areas of impact
Whether there are any time-sensitive elements
Let us know what type of support you’re seeking: visibility, fundraising assistance, strategic guidance, or fiscal sponsorship. If requesting fundraising or fiscal sponsorship, please include an estimated budget or cost of the project.

Upload a document (PDF, DOC OR DOCX only) with your projects story here Upload a file or drag and drop. pdf, doc, docx up to 15MB

Write in your project's story here (if you didn't upload a document above)

HP Name

Inquire about opening a donor-advised fund

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Planned source of funds

Anticipated initial funding amount

Your Giving Interests

Arts & Culture

Community Connections

Economic Vitality

Health & Housing

Learning & Innovation

Parks & Environment

Not sure!

Comments or questions

Thank you for your interest in serving on our board of directors.

We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals who share a strong commitment to the Kirkland community to join our board of directors. Board members play a vital role in shaping the organization's direction and ensuring its long-term success. Please complete the following form to express your interest in serving on our board. We are dedicated to the commitment that our board should reflect the diversity of our community.

First*

Last*

Email*

Phone*

Mailing Address*

Any social media accounts you're comfortable sharing

Occupation

Company

Why are you interested in serving on the KCF board?*

What skills and experience do you bring that would be valuable to the board?*

How much time are you able to commit to board service?*

What are your areas of particular interest within the organization's work?

LinkedIn profile

Have you served on the board of a nonprofit organization before?*

Yes

Which organization?

How many years of service?

Did you serve on any board committees?

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your interest in serving on the board?

HP Name

Ignite Kirkland 2025: Doing Good, Giving Local — Together

How Ignite Kirkland 2025 Made Local Impact Possible

Youth Choice Awards

Nine Fully Funded Projects

Because of this collective effort:

This is Kirkland doing good together. Thank you.

Learn and stay connected to the Kirkland nonprofit community

Thanks for your interest in joining the Kirkland Charitable Collective! Submit your info and we'll get back to you with details soon.

Spark Something Good - with the Kirkland Community Foundation

Community Project Letter of Interest

The story behind your idea —

Inquire about opening a donor-advised fund

Thank you for your interest in serving on our board of directors.

Please reach out to us with any inquiries or comments. We'd love to hear from you.