Volunteers with Justice Not Jails, a Spokane-based coalition led by people of color, gather for a community canvassing event to prevent the establishment of a new jail. Photo courtesy of Justice Not Jails.

As we find the answers, we will continue to do our forever work: listening, learning, and confronting our own biases. To help frame this report, I’d like to share some of the most important lessons that have stuck with us over the years.

Our People Are Everywhere

We have always aspired to be a truly statewide organization. Leaders and organizations across Washington have shared that they are locked out of investment and partnership because of where they live. They face assumptions about their competency, sophistication, and values, along with notions about who Washington is, all based on geography. These biases permeate every part of our state, and we at Inatai are not immune to them. Yet every day, we see more and more evidence that there are incredible communities in every corner of Washington advancing equity and racial justice. We are becoming better practiced at following their lead and championing their work.

Inatai continues to grant general operating dollars to organizations all over our state, particularly in areas that have been ignored by philanthropy and excluded from decision-making tables. To us, there is no greater sign of trust in community leadership than making general operating grants. It is a demonstration of our belief that communities and leaders are the greatest experts in their own lives and work.

Last year, we made grants to organizations in 35 Washington counties and committed funding to 20 Tribal nations. More than 78 percent of the organizations we supported are led by people of color.

We are working to build a statewide team that reflects the communities to whom we are accountable. We proudly call ourselves a multiracial organization. More than 80 percent of our team identify as people of color, 25 percent identify as having a disability, and 25 percent are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

We have learned that when we have team members and board members who live all over our state, we are a stronger and more strategic grant maker. Our team is spread throughout Washington, and our board now represents Thurston, Clark, Skagit, Asotin, Kitsap, Pierce, King, Walla Walla, and Franklin counties.

Equity and Racial Justice Will Only Be Possible Because of Power-Building

Funding is not the only measure by which we keep track of our statewide approach. There are also the relationships we maintain and the connections we create. Last year, we supported a wide range of convenings held across Washington. This was in direct response to feedback we received saying Inatai is uniquely positioned to facilitate connections among leaders and organizations throughout the state. In 2023, we launched a series of regional convenings to honor this request, and we also hosted several other types of gatherings, which you’ll read about in this report. Communities across Washington are excited and enthused to learn about power, civic infrastructure, and how they can contribute their ideas, visions, and solutions to our broader state.

This point is evident in the ballot initiatives we supported last year, from Bellingham to Spokane, and Dayton. As a 501(c)(4), Inatai has the ability and privilege to fund political power building that other grant makers often can’t or won’t support. We’ve made important strides, granting nearly $11 million to 501(c)(4) organizations in 2023. But those dollars represent less than a fifth of our total grantmaking, meaning we still have significant room to grow in this area of work.

As you read this report, I hope you get the sense that Inatai is clear about three things. We are fierce about being a truly statewide organization. We are unapologetic about prioritizing the voices and views of those most impacted. We are proud of our commitment to equity and racial justice, which grows stronger every day.

It is an honor for all of us at Inatai Foundation to work alongside so many incredible leaders across our state. I love Washington and its people, and I am so hopeful for our future. What makes me hopeful is the organizations and leaders working hard every day to make this state more equitable. There is so much talent, vision, and authentic leadership in every corner of Washington. To the hundreds of communities, leaders, and organizations who are transforming the balance of power towards equity and racial justice: thank you. We are grateful to share in your vision, your work, and your joy, and we are excited for our future.

Supporting Community Change Across Washington

Inatai is committed to serving every part of Washington, and we work continuously to expand our outreach throughout the state’s many geographic regions and build our understanding of their varying challenges, needs, and priorities. We ask organizations to identify the primary county or  counties they serve, and we also work to understand how applicants define their own geography. The work that we fund ranges from hyperlocal to statewide. We use this information to better see where our resources are going and where we could better reflect our vision of supporting leaders in every corner of our state.