By Kjerstin Laine, Senior Manager of Annual Giving
Though Seattle is notoriously a bit dark this time of year, there are so many bright moments happening throughout Waterfront Park this rainy season: saunas and firepits on Pier 62, cozy game day tailgates at Stadium Plaza, enjoying a coffee while taking a walk on the Promenade and taking in the views at Habitat Beach, and more.
It’s also the giving season, where nonprofit organizations ask the community for support to drive their missions forward. Friends’ mission is to bring people and local communities together to ensure Waterfront Park thrives as a vibrant gathering space—fostering connections and honoring Seattle’s natural beauty and stories. We can only do that in deep collaboration with a wide community of supporters.
Waterfront Park exists because leaders and community members pushed to do things differently, and for our team, that extends to every aspect of our work—even fundraising. In line with our core values of community and collaboration, the second principle of Community-Centric Fundraising’s set of core principles is resonating with us: Individual organizational missions are not as important as the collective community.
In that spirit, we’ve decided not to participate in the traditional Giving Tuesday email and social media blitz. We hope you can include Friends of Waterfront Park in your giving plans by December 31 and we’d like to shine a light on a few of our partner organizations that work to serve our collective community, and could also use your support:
Now through December 31, you will see highlights of our work at Friends, and how we work in community with businesses, other nonprofits, city partners and with folks like you to promote a vibrant and joyful waterfront that can be enjoyed by everyone. We hope you’ll feel inspired to be part of this new chapter for Waterfront Park and our city, but know that if you can’t contribute, Waterfront Park is still here for you to enjoy.
That’s the beauty of public spaces: those that can pitch in to make it safe, accessible and joyfully programmed are just as essential as those who simply enjoy it day in and day out as a free resource in their community.
P.S. There are still plenty of botanical token placements available on our Community Wall at Overlook Walk, if you’re looking for a holiday gift that also supports Waterfront Park as a resource for our community!