Kirkland Parks & Community Foundation

Kirkland Teens Lead the Way in Supporting Local Nonprofits! On Wednesday, November 20th, ten passionate Kirkland teens, representing three Kirkland secondary schools, braved power outages to participate in KPCF’s inaugural Youth Task Force. With a clear mission in mind—to support local nonprofits and make a meaningful impact in their community—these young leaders got straight to work. “I think it is great that youth are being brought in to provide different outlooks and given the chance to help shape their community,”  shared Lizzie Perez, Lake Washington High School Freshman and Youth Task Force Member, encapsulating the group’s dedication. “Youth should have a voice in shaping their community. This opportunity lets us make big decisions that bring positive change for everyone,” Perez said. Over the evening, the youth reviewed all 30 projects and identified their top causes. The teens then worked together in small groups, and collectively decided how to allocate a $2,500 grant generously provided by the Lee Johnson Auto Family. After thoughtful discussions about the impact and importance of their choices, they selected the following organizations to support: Africans on the Eastside, Friends of Youth, Kindering, Kirkland Performing Arts Center, NAMI, Oom Yung Doe, Safe Parking,Stronger Families,Toys for Kids and Washington Ferret Association. Each of these organizations will receive a Youth Choice Award for their submissions. The students carefully weighed their decisions, thoughtfully considering the limitations of available resources and the potential impact of smaller donations. Their approach demonstrated a deep understanding of the complexities of the grantmaking process. “By contributing to these causes, we can make a significant positive impact on our community and help those who need it most,” said Anwesha Mishro, an 8th grader at Lake Washington High School and a Youth Task Force Member. These young leaders have been vital to the Ignite Kirkland campaign, and now we are turning to you to ask for support. By donating to the causes prioritized by these inspiring students, you can show them that their voices matter. Together, we can amplify their efforts and create meaningful change. Ignite Kirkland is accepting donations through December 3. Every contribution brings us closer to their vision for a stronger community. And I since can’t say it better myself so quoting Lizzie Perez again, “We can’t change the past, but we have the chance to improve the future—and this program is a way to do just that,” Help us make their vision for Kirkland’s future a reality—donate today at www.Kpcf.org/give

🌟 Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Ignite Kirkland, our new grant program designed to empower nonprofits serving the Kirkland community! Together, we can fuel impactful initiatives that make a difference! 💪✨ #IgniteKirkland #CommunityImpact #Amazon #KPCF

Caught the Northern Lights putting on a show right over Kirkland! 🌌🤩 Our parks were full at midnight, and we’re glad so many got to enjoy such a unique experience as Community. It’s moments like these that make you fall in love with our parks all over again. Big shoutout to all in our community that keep our green spaces perfect for nature’s surprises. Let’s keep the magic alive, Kirkland! 💚🌳 #Kirkland #AuroraBorealis #NorthernLights