Did you know Washington just declared its fourth consecutive year of statewide drought? On April 8, the Washington State Department of Ecology issued an emergency drought declaration for the entire state, a record since the drought framework began in 1989. An unusually warm winter left mountain snowpack at roughly half its normal level, leaving rivers and reservoirs across the state running short. Seattle Public Utilities is not asking customers to change their water use this summer thanks to strong reservoir storage in the Cedar and South Fork Tolt watersheds, but seven of the past ten years have brought drought conditions somewhere in Washington, a reminder that water security is not something to take for granted, even here.

A World Away From the Tap

Most of us turn on a faucet a dozen times a day without a second thought. For hundreds of millions of people in developing countries worldwide, most of them women and girls, getting water means walking long distances to a source, waiting in line to fill a jerry can and carrying it home, often strapped to their backs or balanced on their heads. What takes us seconds takes them hours, and the burden of that time falls heavily on their education and income.

The Scale of the Crisis

According to the latest WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme data, 2.1 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and more than 1,000 children under five die every day from diseases linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation. Yet progress is real. Between 2015 and 2024, 961 million people gained access to safely managed water.

Aucilene’s Story

Meet Aucilene, who lives in a hot, semi-arid part of rural Brazil with her family. Before getting a lasting water solution, her days were shaped by long walks to distant reservoirs and an unreliable water truck. During the dry season, the family’s well often ran dry entirely. “We would go and collect water from other places,” she recalls. “My father, son and I would all collect water with our donkeys.”

Everything changed when Aucilene took out a small, affordable loan to install a cistern that collects and stores rainwater. Her family now has safe water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and caring for their animals. “Everything has improved, it’s much easier now,” she says. For Aucilene, the cistern brought more than convenience. It restored hope. “Water is everything,” she says. “It is the foundation of our lives.”

How You Can Help

Whether it shows up as a shrinking snowpack in our own backyard or a long walk to a distant well, water scarcity touches communities everywhere. To help clean, safe water is available, please consider making a one-time gift or setting up a monthly payroll deduction through the UWCFD to one of our member organizations that supports making water available to all.

Your gift makes a difference.

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.

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Celebrate your canine friends this National Dog Month

The University of Washington is ably represented by our top dog, Dubs. His floof and Husky spirit bring smiles to all he encounters. For many staff, getting their picture with Dubs is a highlight of working at the UW. It was for this author.

Dogs enrich our lives in so many ways. This August, recognize the awesomeness of dogs for National Dog Month. Founded by Milk-Bone brand in 2020, National Dog Month is an opportunity to celebrate all the ways dogs make our lives better. And although October is National Adopt a Dog month, anytime is a good time to adopt if you are looking for a new best friend.

Research demonstrates that living with dogs makes us happier, less stressed and more optimistic. Dogs and other companions animals can help lower blood pressure, ease anxiety and provide social support.

Ways to recognize National Dog Month

• Donate to your local shelter or to a larger dog nonprofit through payroll deduction or a one-time gift with the UWCFD.
• Volunteer! Nearly every local animal shelter and service provider has started accepting volunteers again. Walk and socialize dogs, organize donations, help out in the office, attend events – whatever engages your interests. Not only will the dogs appreciate the support, but so will their future human companions.
• If you’d like to support or volunteer at a safe haven for pets of people experiencing relationship violence, search the Safe Havens Mapping Project.

During National Dog Month we also celebrate International Assistance Dog Week, beginning Monday, August 3. Consider fostering an assistance dog in training.

Companion animals in need/empty bowls

The rising cost of food impacts the whole family – pets included. Pet food prices have grown roughly 24% to 28 % compared to pre-pandemic prices. This has led to growing food insecurity among animals. The increased costs strains the budget of many households and impacts the ability of local shelters to provide food.

In King County, that burden is eased a little by Oogie’s Ohana Pet Food Bank at Seattle Humane. They  collect and distribute pet food donations to pet owners in the community. The program provides nearly 1 million meals each year of donated pet food to families and food banks throughout the region. Oogie’s serves more than 23,000 clients annually through Seattle Humane and about 90 partner organizations. By providing pet food, they help pets stay with their families during hard times and helps reduce the number of animals surrendered to shelters.

The Seattle Animal Shelter served more than 1,200 clients last year and Homeward Pet Adoption Center expects to exceed 155,000 pounds of food distributed to food banks and animal shelters. Seattle Area Feline Rescue hosts the Stay SAFe pet pantry providing food and other supplies for cats and dogs.

Companion animals are an important part of many families. If you or someone you know is struggling to feed your pet, there are a variety of pet food banks and other services available to help keep your pets in your home. Have some food a picky pet won’t eat? Donate it. There is a pet out there who will be happy to have it.

Putting our best paw forward

Through the UWCFD, you can support nonprofit organizations doing impact work by connecting dogs and other animals with people and keeping their bowls full. Make a one-time gift or set up an ongoing payroll deduction by searching for a charity by name or cause. If you don’t see the organization you’re looking for, reach out at uwcfd@uw.edu and we’ll work to get them added.

Your gift makes a difference.

Check out the wonders of modern libraries

You might think of your local library as a place to check out a book, use a computer or print out a document. But modern libraries offer so much more than loaning books — their services and programs have expanded in ways that might genuinely surprise you.

With National Book Lovers Day on August 9, we’re celebrating the incredible public libraries right in our own backyard. Seattle Public Libraries, the King County Library System and UW Libraries all offer a seemingly endless trove of books and an incredible range of services. Digital magazine subscriptions, museum passes, maker spaces, tutoring services, design consulting, genealogy help and much more can all be accessed for free with a library card.

Digital subscriptions

As a UW employee, you can access an extraordinary number of online news publications for free through UW Libraries, from local newspapers to national titles including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Financial Times, Economist and The Atlantic.

Seattle Public Libraries cardholders can also access digital magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.

Free admissions

Your library card can get you through the door at some of Seattle’s most beloved attractions. Both Seattle Public Libraries and the King County Library System offer museum and park passes to places like the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Museum of Flight, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Washington State History Museum and many more. You can also place a hold on a Discover Pass for free entry to Washington state parks.

Tutoring

Seattle Public Libraries offers tutoring options and homework help for both K-12 students and adults. Adults can access in-person and virtual support to improve English, reading, writing or math skills, prepare for exams or work toward U.S. citizenship. K-12 students in Seattle can tap into free virtual tutoring for any school subject as well as help with college essays, job applications, resumes and cover letters through Tutor.com.

Maker spaces

Feeling creative? The King County Library System Makerspaces in Federal Way, Shoreline and Bellevue are free community workspaces stocked with equipment for art, sewing, audio and video recording, coding, robotics, filmmaking, photography, design and engineering. Check the calendar for in-person and online events at Makerspace locations too.

Design consulting

UW faculty, staff and students can access the Design Help Desk through the UW Libraries Research Commons. Meet by appointment with a design consultant from the UW Division of Design and get feedback on graphics and visuals for publications and presentations at any stage of your project.

 Genealogy help

Curious about your family history? Seattle Public Libraries offers free one-on-one genealogy help from specialized librarians, available in person at the Central Library, virtually or by phone. The library’s Genealogy Collection includes census records, immigration lists, military records and genealogy guidebooks. UW Libraries also offer a variety of online databases like Ancestry Library Edition, historical newspaper archives (e.g., The Seattle Times and New York Times) and an extensive Special Collections department holding rare Pacific Northwest historical manuscripts.

Business and nonprofit research

Seattle Public Libraries offers free one-on-one appointments with librarians trained in business and nonprofit research. You can also connect with volunteer attorneys for guidance on starting a business, corporate law, personal credit and grant prospecting.

Surprising things your library card can do

Think you know everything your library offers? Think again. Here are a few offerings that might catch you off guard.

Free music practice rooms (and loaner guitars). Seattle Public Library’s Central Library offers free music practice rooms that are, as far as anyone knows, the only ones of their kind in the city. Guitars are available to borrow right on the spot.

Read to a dog. Local libraries host “read to a dog” sessions where kids settle in next to a trained therapy dog and read aloud to their patient, nonjudgmental companion. It’s a proven confidence-builder for reluctant or anxious readers.

Learn a new language (or 315 of them). Both KCLS and SPL offer free access to Mango Languages for interactive language learning with progress tracking. The Pronunciator app, also free with your card, offers instruction in an astonishing 315 languages.

A social services team. SPL’s dedicated social services team helps people in vulnerable situations, including unhoused community members, by connecting them to resources and providing practical support like bus tickets and emergency supplies. Some branches host a “Coffee and Conversations” drop-in where anyone can come for a snack and get help accessing services.

A library built on a bridge. The Renton Library, part of the King County Library System, sits on an 80-foot bridge over the Cedar River. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of salmon and ducks in the water below, making it one of the most scenic reading spots in the region.

Keep your libraries strong

Libraries are among the most valuable resources a community can have, and they deserve our support. To help ensure they can keep offering free books, videos and a wealth of services to you and your family, please consider making a one-time gift or setting up a monthly payroll deduction through the UWCFD to one of our member organizations that supports libraries.

Your gift makes a difference.

Devastating wildfires are surrounding Spokane, causing widespread destruction and displacing tens of thousands of people.

Three wildfires on the edges of Spokane surged over the weekend, damaging hundreds of structures and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. As of the morning of August 3 2026 the fires remained at 0 percent containment. More than 60,000 people have evacuated and hundreds of structures have been damaged.

The fires sparked in dry vegetation, and hot, dry, windy weather has created what the National Weather Service considers a particularly dangerous situation, one step above a red flag warning. 2026 marks the fourth year of severe drought in the region, creating the perfect conditions for wildfires. At least a dozen other fires are burning across Washington.

“This is an extraordinary wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest,” Washington Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove said. “This is not a normal season.”

About 900 firefighters from across the country are assisting with suppression efforts. The fires have burned more than 8,000 acres, or about 12 square miles.

Related: Wildfire Season 2026 and Understanding Air Quality

This is an active fire situation. As the number of people affected continues to climb, the need for recovery assistance will grow with it. First responders and residents will be managing the effects of these fires for years to come.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by the Spokane-area wildfires, the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential emotional support and WorkLife resources for eligible employees and their adult household members. The EAP has also compiled the following resources to help navigate both the practical and emotional impacts of the fires.

• Spokane-Area Wildfire Resource Guide – Find current evacuation information, shelter and animal resources, air quality and health guidance, insurance and recovery information, and emotional support resources.
• Wildfires in Spokane/Eastern WA: Support and Resources – Explore practical tips for coping with stress, supporting yourself and loved ones, and connecting with mental health, crisis, and disaster support resources.

Here is how you can help those affected by the wildfires.

Support recovery efforts

Consider making a one time or ongoing donation through payroll deduction to a UWCFD nonprofit partner working in the communities affected by the fires.

American Red Cross (charity code 0337346) provides many relief services in the aftermath of disasters, including sheltering and feeding evacuees, and providing mental health support and counseling for affected families with guidance on self care and coping.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross disaster relief team, you can learn more here.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services (charity code 1468727) responds to an emergency every eight minutes. From small house fires to multi state natural disasters, the Red Cross goes wherever it is needed so people can have clean water, safe shelter and hot meals when they need them most.

Catholic Charities Spokane (charity code 0316163) has created a fund to help support individuals and families impacted by the Spokane Complex fires.

Innovia Foundation (charity code 2006507) has created a wildfire response fund to support those working to meet the needs of people impacted by the Spokane Complex wildfires.

Project Beauty Share (charity code 1481893) is collecting new hygiene items for families displaced by the Spokane Complex fires, as well as for firefighters working around the clock.

Second Harvest Inland Northwest (charity code 0316374) is accepting non-perishable food donations and financial donations to purchase other necessary items.

Spokanimal C.A.R.E. (charity code 0456408) is seeking donations of pet food, blankets and towels and funds to purchase them. They are also seeking volunteers to foster displaced animals.

Resources for learning and emotional support

• Tips for managing your distress related to wildfires (American Psychological Association)
• Wildfires: tips for parents on media coverage and parent guidelines for helping children impacted by wildfires (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• Protecting yourself before, during and after a wildfire (UCSF)
• Wildfire safety (American Red Cross)
• The Washington State EAP program offers a variety of services to for employees and their families

 

 

Donate Blood and Save Lives

Have you ever considered donating blood? There’s always a need and the impact is greater than you might think. Every pint of blood donated has the potential to save up to three lives.

Why your donation matters — especially right now

Summer is one of the most critical times of year for blood donations. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, trauma cases spike as warm weather brings more car accidents, recreational injuries and outdoor emergencies. Hospitals see increased demand just as donations drop by up to 20% as regular donors go on vacation and school and college blood drives pause for the season.

At the same time, blood has a very short shelf life (about 42 days for red blood cells), so even a healthy supply can be rapidly depleted by a single holiday weekend or unexpected crisis. Every donation truly counts.

The need is constant and urgent

The numbers tell a powerful story:

• Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds.
• The American Red Cross collects approximately 13,000 blood donations every day just to keep up with patient needs.
• One in seven people who enter a hospital will need blood.
• Cancer patients alone account for more than a quarter of all blood used nationwide.
• Over 4.5 million lives are saved each year through blood transfusions.

Despite this incredible need, only about 3% of eligible Americans donate blood each year even though roughly 62% of the population qualifies. Spreading the word can make a real difference.

Expanding the donor community

There’s also a growing need for more diverse donors. Currently, only about 12% of whole blood donations come from minority donors, yet patients often benefit most from blood that closely matches their own type. Additionally, youth donations have fallen sharply. Donations from 16–18-year-olds dropped by about 60% between 2019 and 2021, largely due to fewer school-based drives during the pandemic.

If you’ve never donated before, now is a wonderful time to start. Someone who begins donating at age 17 and gives every 56 days could contribute up to 48 gallons of blood over a lifetime — a truly remarkable legacy.

Fun fact: Even dogs can donate blood! Healthy dogs that meet weight and health requirements can give at veterinary clinics. Check with your vet to learn more.

How you can help

Whether you give your time, your blood, or a financial contribution, every act of generosity helps keep life-saving supplies on hand.

• Donate blood — Schedule a one-hour appointment with the American Red Cross or visit a Bloodworks Northwest popup drive, hosted regularly on the UW campus and in neighborhoods throughout the region.
• Give financially — Consider a monthly gift through the UWCFD to support member organizations working to maintain a stable blood supply.
• Volunteer your time — Help organize local drives or assist at donation events in your community.

Blood is one of the most precious gifts one person can give another. It can’t be manufactured. It can only come from generous people like you. Your decision to donate could mean everything to someone you’ll never meet.

Schedule your donation today. Your gift makes a difference.

 

Be water-safe this summer

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is something special. Hiking, cycling, running, boating, horseback riding, fishing, open water swimming…we really do live in a place with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to getting outside.

And with all that outdoor abundance comes an important reminder: enjoying our waters means being water-safe. More than 4,500 people drown each year in the United States. These are deaths that are both predictable and preventable. Even confident, strong swimmers can get into trouble.

It’s also worth knowing that drowning risk isn’t evenly distributed. Males face higher risk than females across all age groups. Young children under age 4 face the highest overall drowning rates, and drowning is the leading cause of death in that age group. Race is also a factor: Black people, historically denied access to swimming pools and lessons, are consequently less familiar and comfortable in the water and drowning death rates for Black people have been rising at a disproportionate rate.

How to be water-safe

The following water safety tips come from the American Red Cross, Water Safety USA and Families United to Prevent Drowning, who share a vision of a world where not one more drowning fatality or near-fatality ever occurs.

Learning to swim is the #1 recommendation for water safety.

Teach your children to swim and, if you haven’t already, learn yourself. For children ages 1 to 4, formal swim lessons are associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning. At a minimum, children and adults should achieve the skills of water competency: being able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance and get out safely.

Know before you go. Check the weather forecast and water conditions ahead of time. Cold water can be dangerous even on warm days.

Plan and prepare. Lifeguards aren’t always present, so find out if they’re on duty and try to swim when they are. If you’re heading out on the water, bring essential gear like navigational devices and paddle floats.

Wear a life jacket. Always wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a boat and if in a situation beyond someone’s skill level.

Build a safe and inclusive environment. People have different comfort levels with water, and we’re safer together. When recreating with young children or in groups, designate a water watcher.

Know how to respond. If someone is in trouble, call 911 and get help. Do not go in the water after them.

• To assist others: reach for them or throw something to them. Don’t go in after them.
• If you’re in trouble: flip, float and relax (like a starfish).

Prevent unsupervised access to water. Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers and keep a watchful eye on any water hazards, including portable splash pools, slides, buckets and bathtubs.

Respect the water. Water can be powerful. Always tell someone your plan before heading out solo. Obey posted safety signs, learn to read water conditions and stay alert. Whitewater can be especially unpredictable. Learn about responsible paddling.

Take action

• Be an ambassador for water safety by taking a free online water safety course through the American Red Cross.
• Looking for swim lessons? Try the American Red Cross lesson finder or the USA Swimming youth lesson finder.

Make it better. All water sources are connected and home to fish and other life. Help protect our waters by leaving your environment cleaner than you found it.

Support

Through the UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD), you can support nonprofit organizations working to keep our lakes, rivers and waterways safe, clean and accessible, or to help all kids and adults learn how to swim. Make a one-time gift or set up an ongoing payroll deduction by searching for a charity by name or cause. If you don’t see the organization you’re looking for, reach out at uwcfd@uw.edu and we’ll work to get them added.

Your gift makes a difference.

Why playing outdoors is important for kids

We all have a sense that being outside is good for us but pinning down exactly why can be surprisingly tricky. Here’s a look at what’s really going on when kids spend time outdoors and why it matters more than you might think.

Fresh air

There’s something unmistakably restorative about throwing open the windows on the first warm day of spring or taking a long, slow breath on a forest trail. But why does fresh air feel so good?

For starters, the air quality outside is likely better than what you’re breathing indoors. The EPA notes that indoor air has the potential to be more polluted than outdoor air – a result of heating and cooling systems, things we burn (oil, gas, tobacco) and the materials our buildings are made of.

There’s also a mood connection. Spending time outside means more exposure to natural sunlight, which boosts the brain’s production of serotonin, the hormone linked to feelings of happiness and calm. Higher serotonin levels are associated with reduced anxiety and depression. So that lifted feeling after an afternoon outside? It’s real and it’s backed by science.

Physical activity

Kids are bundles of energy and that energy needs somewhere to go. Experts recommend that children get at least 1 hour of physical activity every day. Outdoor play is one of the most natural ways to make that happen. Regular movement supports:

• Healthy growth and development
• Better self-esteem
• Stronger bones, muscles and joints
• Better posture and balance
• A stronger heart
• A healthier weight range
• Learning new skills while having fun
• Better focus and concentration

Physical activity is also a powerful stress reliever for kids. It gives their bodies a productive outlet and helps them show up calmer and more focused in other parts of their day.

Stimulation without a screen

Most parents and caregivers have seen what too much screen time can do – the overstimulation, the meltdowns, the wild behavior that can follow. But not all stimulation is the same. Young kids actually need stimulation to develop critical neural networks in the brain and the question is what kind.

The outdoors delivers the good kind in abundance. Natural environments offer open-ended, ever-changing sensory experiences that engage kids’ curiosity without overwhelming them. Sticks, mud, wind, bugs – nature invites exploration on a child’s own terms.

Imagination + creativity

Without a predetermined script, kids outdoors get a blank canvas. A stick becomes a wand. A pile of rocks becomes a city. This kind of unstructured, imaginative play is fertile ground for creativity and creativity is foundational to success in just about every area of life. It supports self-expression, emotional intelligence and the kind of flexible thinking that helps kids (and adults) solve problems.

Psychologists have found that make-believe play also builds self-regulation, including reduced aggression, the ability to delay gratification and greater empathy. Those are exactly the qualities we hope to cultivate in the next generation of community leaders.

Attention spans

Nature doesn’t ask anything of you. It doesn’t quiz you, prompt you or demand your focus. It just exists and that low-demand environment turns out to be deeply restorative for the brain.

Researchers have found that children with ADHD who take a 20-minute walk in a park can improve their symptoms as effectively as a dose of prescription stimulant medication. Even for kids without ADHD, time in nature gives the brain a chance to rest, reset and return to focused tasks with more ease.

Support

Through the UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD), you can support nonprofit organizations working to make outdoor recreation accessible and equitable for all. Make a one-time gift or set up an ongoing payroll deduction by searching for a charity by name or cause. If you don’t see the organization you’re looking for, reach out at uwcfd@uw.edu and we’ll work to get them added.

Your gift makes a difference.