Fiscal Year 2023 Impact Report

Ensuring the sustainability of Friends-Seattle is more than a strategic goal, it’s a 12-year+ commitment we make to our youth and families we serve. To keep our commitment, we are continuously refining tools, systems, and processes across our organization to foster better organizational efficiency and inspire collective action. We also recognize and rely on the invaluable support of our community and corporate partners. Their contributions enable us to continue working toward our mission.

Our relationship with the workplace has changed dramatically in recent years. At Friends-Seattle, we recognize the lasting mental health impacts stemming from the pandemic and systemic and historical racial inequity. In addition to investments in professional development and training, we prioritize self-care, provide a flexible hybrid work environment, and are redefining our organization culture to promote inclusivity, collaboration, wellness, active learning, and transparency.

Throughout 2023, staff and board demonstrated vulnerability and boldness in improving our understanding of systems of oppression, how they show up in our work, and identifying steps we could take to shift our organizational culture. We’ve held trainings on articulating our values, setting community agreements, advancing anti-racism, and dismantling institutional oppression. We also deepened our understanding of collaborative leadership, change management, and non-violent communication.

To better understand, prioritize, and address the most pressing needs of youth and their families, we continuously refine our programs and seek input from our community. Additionally, we work to equip mentors with tools and resources to offer holistic support and to help amplify the voices of those most impacted by systemic barriers. Friends-Seattle is leading our nationwide Friends of the Children network in shaping our two-generation (2Gen) approach reflecting our belief that our youths’ ability to succeed is tied to the well-being of their families.

Friends-Seattle experienced significant staff transitions within our fund development and communications team over the past year. In addition to rebuilding our team, we are working to diversify our funding pipeline to seek new opportunities, reconnect with long-time supporters, and deepen relationships with our partners. The MacKenzie Scott gift received at the end of FY22 enabled us to make important investments in our staff compensation and training throughout FY23. A significant portion of that gift is being held in reserve and we’ve convened an Investment Strategy Committee to guide us in maximizing its ability to meet our immediate and longer-term financial goals.