UWCFD news
Nourishing kids all summer long
June 1, 2026
Nutritious, plant-forward meals help children grow, stay energized and make the most of their summer months. But when school is out, the reliable school meals that many families depend on disappear, and summer can quickly become a time of real uncertainty around food. Understanding the need Food insecurity and under-nutrition are closely connected challenges that…
Juneteenth 2026: A celebration of freedom, a call to action
May 29, 2026
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Known by many names, including Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day and Liberation Day, it marks the announcement made on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, that all enslaved people were free following the end of the Civil War.…
Pride Month at the UW and Beyond
May 29, 2026
Colorful rainbow gay pride flag being waved in the breeze by a hand wearing a sweatband Celebrate Pride Month June is Pride Month, celebrated in recognition of the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which was among the key catalysts for the Gay Liberation Movement. Pride Month celebrates the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, honors those whose…
Recreate Responsibly This Summer
May 27, 2026
Summer is almost here! With warmer days ahead, there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Hiking, cycling, running, boating, horseback riding, fishing, open water swimming. When it comes to outdoor recreation, we live in a place worth celebrating. Just make sure you’re celebrating safely so you…
Wildfire Season 2026: What You Need to Know
May 27, 2026
The 2014 Chiwaukum Creek wildfire in Washington / Michael Stanford Wildfire season in the western U.S. has grown longer, more unpredictable and more devastating for people and wildlife in recent years. Smoky skies and poor air quality are increasingly the norm across the region and 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the…
Breaking the Silence: How We Can Reduce Mental Health Stigma Together
May 5, 2026
Mental Health Awareness Month vector illustration with green ribbon and flowers. Human abstract profile with green ribbon, Mental health awareness May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States, a designation in place since 1949. It is a time to focus or refocus on self-care, recognize the importance of mental health and honor the…
Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 5, 2026
May is recognized as National Asian American, Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, an opportunity to recognize the diverse people, cultures and communities whose contributions have enriched American life for centuries. The United States first recognized AANHPI heritage in 1978. A week-long recognition was extended to a month-long celebration in 1992 commemorating the…
Supporting Well-Being at Every Age During Older Americans Month
May 5, 2026
Every May, Older Americans Month recognizes the vital contributions older adults make to communities across the nation. Launched in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, this annual observance highlights the importance of helping older adults stay active, connected and engaged in community and social life. The 2026 theme, “Champion Your Health,” emphasizes prevention, wellness and empowering…
Thank you for making the 2025 UWCFD Campaign a success!
April 8, 2026
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in this year’s workplace giving campaign. Together, we raised $1,796,139, including nearly $26,000 for our featured nonprofit, WestSide Baby (WSB) and welcomed 400+ new donors! Your generosity didn’t stop there. Departments hosted diaper drives that collected more than 3,000 diapers. We filled the minivan three times to deliver…
Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet
April 1, 2026
Earth Day is an annual global event on April 22 that brings people together to demonstrate support for environmental protection. This year’s theme, Our Power, Our Planet, reflects the shared responsibility we have to care for the world we live in. First held in 1970, Earth Day now includes a wide range of events coordinated…
Find the tax help you need: Guide for discounted and no-cost resources
March 19, 2026
Tax season can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate it alone. There are trusted free tax services, including programs like IRS Free File, VITA and AARP Tax Aide that help individuals and families file with confidence and keep more of their refund. These no-cost options work well for simple tax returns and are supported by…
Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future
March 9, 2026
Women’s History Month 2026 The theme of Women’s History Month in 2026 is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” This theme honors the many ways women are driving sustainability across environmental, economic, educational and social justice movements. We are living in a pivotal moment that asks us to confront climate change, economic insecurity,…
Do a world of good volunteering in 2026!
February 6, 2026
Volunteering is a fun way to support your favorite nonprofit organization – plus, research demonstrates that it’s good for you. Whether you are able to volunteer on a regular basis, or just have the occasional hour or two to spare, you can support a cause you are passionate about. Why volunteer? Volunteering is good for you. In study…
A Century of Courage: Honoring 100 Years of Black History Commemorations
February 6, 2026
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements, influences and legacies of Black Americans. This year’s theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” celebrating 100 years of the first Black History Week in 1926. Beyond celebrating this significant milestone, this year is also about highlighting the ongoing work of integrating Black…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Building Community, Uniting a Nation
January 13, 2026
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy on January 19, 2026. This month, communities across the nation will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For more than 40 years, MLK Day has stood as a federal holiday - the only one dedicated to a Black American - celebrating Dr.…
Season of giving: Gifts that give back
December 1, 2025
Bring more meaning to giving season this year with gifts that give back to charitable causes and efforts. We get it. You want to give your family and friends meaningful, cool, interesting and eco-friendly gifts this holiday season that won’t end up at a thrift store or in a landfill and were made by adults…
Last Week to Give Activities
November 18, 2025
It’s almost here, the final week of the 2025 UW Combined Fund Drive! For the first week of December, we’ve got a great lineup of online and in-person activities to celebrate making a difference together! We've got all kinds of fun things planned to wrap up the campaign and we hope you'll join us for…
Our Community, Our Veterans: Honoring Those Who Served
November 5, 2025
Many of us are related or at least know someone who has served in our lives, be it the army, navy, marines or air force, so let’s honor and remember all those who’ve served and done their duty. The University of Washington has a history of supporting students on the GI Bill, providing an esteemed educational…
Meet this year’s fantastic team of Campaign Assistants!
November 4, 2025
Every year, the UWCFD welcomes a tiny but terrific team of campaign assistants who provide the support our volunteers need to make your annual workplace giving campaign happen. Join us in welcoming this year’s team! Kris Jenkins (she/her) Kris is thrilled to be joining the UWCFD team as a campaign assistant for the 2025 Combined…
Protect yourself from poor air quality during this fire season
August 13, 2025
Smoke from wildfires obscure the Space Needle and the Seattle skyline on Sept. 12, 2020. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) Wildfire season is upon us, and though the air quality in the Pacific Northwest is at safe levels most of the time, many will remember our dubious honor in October of 2022 when Seattle had…
