Readers of The Seattle Times — which serves the region not only as a news source but also as a community organizer, cultural center and "watchdog" — showed incredible generosity. They donated a record $3.49 million as part of the newspaper's annual Fund for Those in Need campaign. The three-month fundraising drive far exceeded its $3 million goal, raising an average of more than $500 from each of roughly 4,000 donations. The result was especially significant amid cuts to public funding for nonprofits and rising demand for their services.
The campaign, which has run since 1979, has raised more than $45 million for local charities over its history. This year the funds will be distributed among 13 nonprofit organizations in the Puget Sound region — a major economic center in northwest Washington that includes, in addition to Seattle, cities like Tacoma, Bellevue, Everett and others. These organizations provide vital assistance: clothing and essentials for infants, hot meals for older adults, and educational support and mentoring for teens.
One recipient is Kindering of Bellevue, which provides special education and therapy services to children with developmental disabilities. According to the organization's representative Roshni Kartikeyan, the donations will help replenish a $4 million special fund. That fund covers services for clients who cannot afford them or lack insurance. This is particularly relevant given possible changes to eligibility requirements for the Medicaid program, known in Washington state as Apple Health. The program provides expanded coverage, including services for children with special needs, and any cuts would directly threaten access to vital care for thousands of vulnerable families.
Profiles of specific organizations published by the paper inspire people to give. For example, a story about Treehouse, which helps teens from foster families, moved 87-year-old Jane Ann Bradbury. The former teacher has donated to the fund for more than 10 years. At Christmas she even offers to match donations made by her adult children and grandchildren from her own funds. Bradbury believes hardship can touch anyone in the community, even if it isn't apparent from the outside.
The Seattle Times president Alan Fisco, who has participated in the campaign for about 15 years, called the result "phenomenal." He noted that demand for nonprofit services continues to climb. Given that, he is already considering setting an even higher fundraising goal for the 2026–2027 campaign, although a final decision has not yet been made.
Checks will be sent to the organizations in the coming weeks. This record haul, surpassing even results from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, vividly demonstrates the strength and responsiveness of the Seattle and Puget Sound communities, ready to support their most vulnerable members in hard times.
Based on: Seattle Times readers donate nearly $3.5M to Fund for Those in Need