Ballmer Group Makes A Transformational Investment In Boys & Girls Clubs Across Washington State. -11/14/22

Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington State Association announced the largest grant in its history—a three-year, $17,975,000 investment from Ballmer Group. The award underscores Boys & Girls Clubs’ leadership role in youth development in WA and nationally. This investment will provide general operating support of Boys & Girls Clubs’ 14 member organizations. A multi-year investment, this grant will support life-changing programs in the nearly 140 Club sites throughout the state, with a special focus on youth and communities experiencing highest socio-economic barriers to healthy lifestyles and academic success.
This unprecedented grant is made possible thanks to Ballmer Group’s philanthropic focus on improving economic mobility and opportunity for children and families in the United States. The funding will allow the Clubs serving diverse, high need populations to expand their reach, increase membership and invest in staffing, facilities and local partnerships.
Local Club organizations will have complete flexibility to proactively determine what tools and programs will help their Club families the most, such as expanding Club scholarships to more kids; training and retention of Youth Development staff; facility improvements; additional Club transportation; and investment in specialized programs and resources focused on mental health, resiliency and well-being.
“Boys & Girls Clubs’ mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens,” said Katya Miltimore, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington State Association. “This significant investment will help remove a variety of local barriers, allowing our Clubs to focus on transformational work at the community level and invite additional local partners to help realize our aspirational vision for Washington’s youth.”
“Boys & Girls Clubs are safe, reliable places for kids to learn and grow - and places that families around our state depend on,” shared Connie and Steve Ballmer, co-Founders of Ballmer Group Philanthropy. “We are proud to support Clubs in Washington to reach more kids and continue to provide much-needed enrichment opportunities beyond the school day.”

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About Ballmer Group
Ballmer Group is committed to improving economic mobility for children and families in the United States. We fund leaders and organizations that have demonstrated the ability to reshape opportunity and reduce systemic inequities. We focus on multiple impact areas and systems that can impact economic mobility –including early learning, K-12 education, college and career pathways, housing, and criminal justice. Ballmer Group is both a national and regional funder with a presence and deep investment in southeast Michigan, Washington state, and Los Angeles County. Ballmer Group was co-founded by philanthropist Connie Ballmer and her husband Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, founder of USAFacts, and chairman of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Learn more at www.ballmergroup.org and on Twitter @BallmerGroup.

About Boys & Girls Clubs in Washington
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington exist to inspire & enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. It focuses on five core program areas: character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts and sports/fitness/recreation. In 2021, 40,296 Washington state youth in grades K-12 were served through annual membership and over 73,000 youth through community outreach. There are programs currently offered at 138 separate locations, including Clubhouses, native lands, public housing, schools and community centers.