For Judy Yasutake, giving has always been part of life. But in retirement, she and her husband have begun thinking more intentionally about giving in Kirkland, where they want their philanthropy to have an impact, and the legacy they hope to leave.

“We’re at a point, because we’re retired, where we feel lucky that we’re now able to look at different organizations where we can invest,” Judy said.

“What is our legacy? What do we want to do? How do we want our kids to think about what we did and how we lived our lives?”

Kirkland is a natural part of that conversation.

Judy and her family have lived in Kirkland at different stages of their lives, totaling about 18 years. Today, she and her husband live downtown, close to the parks, businesses, restaurants and community activities that make Kirkland feel like home.

After retiring from a career that included education and nonprofit work, Judy wanted to become more involved in the community immediately around her.

Women’s Giving Circle

That desire eventually led her to the Kirkland Community Foundation and the Women’s Giving Circle.

It was an approachable way to get involved: come to a few gatherings, meet other people, learn about organizations working locally, and help decide together where charitable dollars could make a difference.

For Judy, one of the biggest benefits was discovering just how much work was happening in Kirkland.  And much if it she had never known about.

Through the Women’s Giving Circle and Ignite Kirkland, she learned about organizations addressing housing and basic needs, education, health, youth, seniors and other issues affecting people close to home.

“I’m just amazed at the number of organizations and nonprofits that are located in this area,” she said. “I’m still learning.”

Giving with more intention

Judy describes some of her family’s earlier charitable giving as more “piecemeal” — supporting schools, nonprofits, the Japanese American community and other causes as opportunities arose.

Today, she has the opportunity to think more deliberately about the organizations and communities she wants to support.

And she doesn’t see giving today and investing for the future as an either-or choice.

“I’m hoping that it will not only help people who need support now, but it will also help the organization and people in the future,” she said. “I want it to be both.”

Connecting People to What Matters

That is part of what the Foundation hopes to make possible: helping people who care about Kirkland understand the needs and opportunities around them and find meaningful ways to participate.

For Judy, getting started didn’t require already knowing which nonprofit to support or making a major commitment. It started with curiosity and one opportunity to get involved.

Since then, she has continued learning, giving and finding new connections to the community she calls home.

And her advice to others is equally simple: get out into the community, pay attention to what is happening, build relationships and talk to people.

For Judy, that has made Kirkland feel even more like home.

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.