Last updated: August 12, 2026
Think about the last time you dropped a few cans in a food bank bin, cheered on a charity 5K or clicked “donate” after seeing a cause that moved you. Chances are, a nonprofit has touched your life in ways you might not even realize, like a scholarship that helped a family member, a shelter that served a neighbor or a conservation effort that kept a trail you love open and wild. Behind every one of those moments is an organization working quietly and persistently to make something better, in your neighborhood, your city and communities you may never visit but can still reach.
What Is National Nonprofit Day?
Did you know that August 17 is National Nonprofit Day? It’s an annual observance that celebrates the vital contributions of charitable organizations to local communities and the broader economy. The date was chosen to honor the Tariff Act of 1894, which established the first federal tax exemptions for charitable organizations, a milestone that helped make the modern nonprofit sector possible. Every August 17, we recognize the staff, volunteers and donors who show up for causes ranging from education and healthcare to environmental conservation and poverty relief.
Why Nonprofits Matter
Nonprofits are both a backbone and a safety net for our communities. They provide critical services, foster connection and fill gaps left by strained public and private systems – addressing needs that span healthcare, education, social justice and the arts.
Here in Washington state, the numbers are striking. Did you know our state is home to more than 40,000 nonprofit organizations, and that roughly one in ten workers in Washington is employed by one? Nonprofits are a cornerstone of our local and state economy and work hard to keep communities stable and resilient.
The UWCFD Connection
Founded in 1984, the UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD) has made charitable giving easy for state employees across Washington. Since then, state employees have donated a combined $176 million to nonprofits through the program. UW employees and retirees have been especially generous, contributing nearly $60 million of that total.
Giving through the UWCFD is flexible and convenient. You can make or change a gift at any time. And when you give through workplace giving, your dollars go further. Payroll giving helps nonprofits plan and budget for the year ahead and reduces their overall fundraising costs, which means more of your gift goes directly toward serving the mission of the organization you care about. It truly is a win for everyone.
Spotlight: Causes You Can Support Through UWCFD
Did you know you can give to nearly 5,000 nonprofits through the UWCFD? New organizations are added regularly, so there is truly a cause or organization for everyone. Employees can search the UWCFD charity database by name or cause to find the organization they want to support. Organizations in the UWCFD database represent causes across a wide range of categories and causes. Giving is easy, personal and private. Your gift, your choice.
How to Get Involved
The UWCFD lets you engage with nonprofits in the way that feels most meaningful to you. Here are a few ways to participate:
- Make a payroll gift. Unrestricted gifts give nonprofits the flexibility to direct funds where they are needed most, making it easier to put their mission into action.
- Volunteer. Get involved on your own or coordinate a group volunteering opportunity for your team.
- Spread the word. Giving through the UWCFD is quick and easy. Share it with a colleague or consider signing up as a campaign coordinator for this year’s workplace giving campaign.
Through the UWCFD, you can support local, national and international nonprofits all in one place. Search the charity database by name or cause, then make a one-time gift or set up an ongoing payroll deduction. Don’t see the organization you are looking for? Reach out at uwcfd@uw.edu and the team will work to get them added.
Your gift makes a difference.