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The Photo: Representatives of nonprofits who received Microsoft’s Community-First Grants with Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith, center, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, center front, and the Mariner Moose at an awards breakfast on Nov. 9. 2026. (Photo by Derrick Louie)
Runta News-Seattle, Washington
Microsoft awarded 20 nonprofits receiving funding through the Microsoft Community-First Grants program. Launched in September, the program awarded $1 million in grants to nonprofits across Washington state working to meet critical community needs. The first round of grants was open to organizations based in King County, including several on the Eastside. The event featured remarks from Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith.
Here are the 20 nonprofits that received Microsoft Community-First grants and their plans:
- The FeelFit Foundation, which brings people together through free runs, hikes, trail restorations and park cleanups, is creating a Bike Hub where kids will learn how to repair a bike for others before earning their own.
- The 60-year-old Byrd Barr Place provides safety-net services to low-income families in central Seattle and will expand their supply of diapers and related products.
- The Lake Washington High School Band and Jazz Boosters, which revived its marching band last year after a 40-year absence, will buy 150 full uniforms in inclusive sizes to replace capes from 1981.
- Essentials First provides hygiene supplies to working parents and will launch an Eastside mobile trailer with private showers, a washer and dryer.
- In partnership with Mercer International Middle School, Marvin Thomas Memorial Fund will launch the Mustang Garden Project, a volunteer-led garden and outdoor classroom that will supplement an in-school pantry with fresh produce that reflects the diversity of the students’ cultures.
- Bloodworks Northwest, which supplies blood to local hospitals, is expanding to a larger facility to accommodate increased demand, with the potential to collect 10,000 more donations annually.
- Community Lunch on Capitol Hill, which provides donated food to unhoused people, will close gaps in infrastructure with stair-climbing hand trucks, sturdy carts, expanded commercial refrigeration and freezer storage.
- Casa Latina, which has a workforce development program, will be able to develop a hands-on training facility to strengthen the practical application of vocational skills.
- Responding to requests from their students’ families, Concord International Elementary PTA will establish free after-school programs focused on building and coding LEGO models to solve science challenges and separately, sewing.
- Empowering Youth and Families Outreach, which provides year-round, culturally responsive educational and youth development programs serving South Seattle, will add a passenger van that will expand access to enrichment activities, career exploration and college visits.
- The Christ Community Free Clinic will be able to expand clinic space to provide more free dental and medical care to the most marginalized residents in Puget Sound.
- Operation Nightwatch offers services to those living on Seattle’s streets and will provide a safe and trusted space where people can learn about resources, have a hot meal and find shelter.
- Junior Achievement of Washington — which gives students real-world learning experiences that connect classroom education with career, financial and life skills — will upgrade lighting and replace audio-visual equipment at its Auburn Experiential Learning Center.
- Friends of KEXP, the nonprofit representing listener-powered radio station KEXP 90.3 FM, will update its Gathering Space, where visitors can hear live broadcasts, attend free concerts and explore an art gallery for free.
- Communities In Schools of Greater King County, which supports students so they stay in school, will establish food pantries at eight schools across three districts.
- The Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra provides free and pay-what-you-can training for South King County families through Music Youth Southeast and will apply the funds to tuition, instruments and private lessons.
- Jubilee REACH distributes food at its Groceries for Families market and needs to replace an aging, unreliable van that staff and volunteers use for weekly food-rescue pickups from more than 20 local grocery stores and businesses.
- The Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank, which welcomes 150 senior adults per day for free meals, fitness and social activities, plans to upgrade its washrooms and activity room with new sinks, countertops, lighting and paint.
- Ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2030, the Seattle Children’s Museum is renovating its play-based, hands-on exhibits, starting with a veterinary clinic aimed at fostering empathy, respect for animals and community connections.
- Mentoring Urban Students & Teens, which provides a mentoring space for young Black men, will transform a welcome room to a wellness and learning hub.
For more detailed information, please read 25 Washington State Nonprofits Make a Difference by Athima Chansanchai
