National Philanthropy Day reminds us that generosity is the heartbeat of thriving communities — and here in Kirkland, we are leading the way by turning that spirit into lasting impact.

This year, we celebrate National Philanthropy Day right in the middle of our Ignite Kirkland 2025 campaign, a two‑week citywide celebration of giving. It’s a fitting moment to pause, reflect, and honor the countless acts of kindness that sustain our community.  – 

Businesses big and small, standing together

Philanthropy is never a solo act. This year, Amazon has stepped up again as our lead sponsor for Ignite Kirkland, and today we honor and celebrate their investment and the impact it will drive on National Philanthropy Day. 

When we considered how to uniquely honor Amazon’s major support for Ignite, we are delighted that, in celebration of National Philanthropy Day on Friday, 11/14, every gift of $50 to an Ignite grant partner will be boosted with a matching $50 from Amazon (one boost per donor, per organization, on Friday 11/14 only). Be sure to claim this boost and make your dollars go further today, thanks to Amazon’s generosity!

As we look around our community, we deeply value how Amazon is investing alongside us and our work as Kirkland’s Foundation, and how their commitment is becoming truly transformative across the Eastside. Their support for homelessness services and affordable housing is creating meaningful regional impact, with millions directed toward shelters, supportive programs, and housing preservation that helps stabilize families and neighbors throughout the Eastside. Equally important, Amazon’s dedication to basic needs like food security—supporting local food banks, expanding delivery access for families, and ensuring thousands of households receive fresh, healthy meals—is filling a critical gap. Amazon is showing up where it matters most, as a consistent, reliable, and community-minded corporate partner in Kirkland and across the Eastside.

Here in Kirkland, we’ve seen firsthand how Amazon’s generosity strengthens the network of nonprofits we collaborate with daily at the Kirkland Community Foundation. Whether through volunteerism, support for community projects, or broader regional investments that ripple into our city, they make local impact possible. On National Philanthropy Day, we are very grateful for partners like Amazon, whose philanthropy helps power organizations like ours and many others, keeping our hometown strong and growing. 

And as we think about local impact, we also celebrate iconic Kirkland businesses we enjoy each week—Spud, Moss Bay Hall, and Lady Yum—and how they have stepped forward with us in support of our shared community. Generosity takes many forms: sometimes as ice cream, sometimes as macarons, and sometimes as a welcoming host, reminding us that generosity truly comes in all shapes and sizes.

Additionally, service-oriented partners supporting our Foundation this fall, including BECU, Columbia Bank, and PSE, show up in other important ways that align with their missions while offering flexibility in how they strengthen our philanthropy. We were thrilled to launch our daily boost idea this year, thanks to their support, giving us the opportunity to extend our reach and return more dollars into the community.

It is this spirit of philanthropy—embodied in partners of all sizes and expressed in so many forms—that makes our city strong, resilient, and sustainable!

A campaign fueled by youthful energy

We began this year’s Ignite effort with an inspiring session alongside young school leaders. These students came together to learn about local giving and the difference they can make right here at home. Their enthusiasm was contagious — a reminder that philanthropy is not just for adults, but for anyone with a passion to serve and a heart to give.

This session reminded us that one of our most important roles in this community is to be a connector—of people, of ideas, and of resources. It showed that everyone has a voice, and that philanthropy is never abstract; it can touch friends and neighbors as well as those you may never meet.

Inspired by their big-hearted momentum, we had a strong launch for Ignite and we find ourselves already nearly halfway through this two-week celebration of community generosity. Each day brings new stories of neighbors stepping forward, nonprofits sharing their vision, and donors of all ages giving to causes that truly matter.

Partnering with local nonprofits

And of course, on National Philanthropy Day, we honor nonprofit partners from across our community. These partnerships are the heartbeat of what we do, and this year, through our Ignite Kirkland campaign, we’re partnering with 37 nonprofits, each leading vital projects that touch lives in unique ways. These organizations are working on everything from essential services to enriching recreational programs. 

We know that philanthropy is often described as the “invisible infrastructure” of communities. It supports education, arts, housing, food security, and countless other needs that might otherwise go unmet. Together, Kirkland’s nonprofit network forms a backbone of resilience and vibrancy, but without community support, many efforts might stall. As we walk this path paved with leadership and the generosity of local donors, we make these projects both possible and probable.

We are the Foundation

A day like today is a reminder that every gift of time, talent, or treasure strengthens the fabric of society. And while National Philanthropy Day is celebrated across the U.S., when philanthropy is localized, its impact multiplies. Here at home, through our Ignite campaign, and as Kirkland’s community foundation, we are honored to connect donors and nonprofits, steward resources, and build partnerships that strengthen our city through inclusive, long‑term philanthropy. We are fortunate to live in a community enriched by nonprofits dedicated to Kirkland’s well‑being, and to work alongside businesses of all sizes committed to keeping our city vibrant. 

In Kirkland, we work as your community foundation to embody the spirit of philanthropy every day — making giving accessible, inclusive, and impactful. We know that philanthropy is not conceptual. It’s the toddler program that changes a life, the food bank that feeds a family, the arts project that inspires creativity, and the youth advisors that widen our perspectives. 

Our Community Foundation’s amazing board of directors is also an essential element for success that we recognize on National Philanthropy Day. Working collaboratively, they provide essential philanthropic guidance, vision, strategy, and accountability. The board’s leadership in connecting donors, nonprofits, and community priorities ensures resources are directed where they matter most, and their ideals guide us, their stewardship fosters trust, their work amplifies impact, and together we sustain long-term generosity that uplifts the entire community.

So today we take a quick pause to say THANK YOU and recognize the generosity of our neighbors, donors, and businesses, who are leading by example in Kirkland. Together, we are proving that when a community gives with heart, it builds a future filled with resilience, joy, and hope. Happy National Philanthropy Day!

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.