How we contribute to change
Our foundation focuses on two main areas, K-12 STEM/Education and Quality of Life. To have a lasting impact, we direct all grant funding to ensure these areas receive strategic investment. Therefore, we don’t review unsolicited requests.
Education
Students and young leaders are the future. We help them succeed by addressing community educational needs with sustainable programs that enhance their education, primarily in math and science.
K-12 programs
With an emphasis on K-12 math and science education, the programs we support get students excited about careers in technology and engineering by preparing them intellectually and bolstering confidence. We want all students to have a quality, equal education, so our focus also includes achievement or gender gap challenges, secondary education preparedness, education quality improvement, and workforce readiness.
Core values scholarships
Each year, we award a $10,000 scholarship to one graduating high school senior from select schools near our headquarters and in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve awarded more than $1M in scholarships to over 100 students since the start of this program in 2003. Community leaders, along with our own representatives, review applications and choose students who perform exceptionally in academics as well as in their school and community—demonstrating our Core Values in their everyday lives. Awardees can use the scholarship at the college or technical school of their choice.
University relationships
We proudly partner with the National GEM Consortium (GEM), a premier organization for the best and brightest underrepresented minority STEM talent in the country. Partners of GEM help support the development and advancement of these groups across approximately 120 colleges and universities by providing full-tuition fellowships at the master’s and doctorate levels. In 2020, Tim Archer, our CEO, became Chairman of the Board of Directors at GEM.
Quality of life
We invest in community programs that share our Core Values and support underserved populations or community shortcomings such as hunger, food or water security, disadvantaged children or senior citizens, economically disadvantaged communities, health improvement, and environmental protection. In addition to grants for social service needs, we support regional disaster relief efforts through matching gifts and foundation giving for initial response, recovery, and rebuilding.