Last updated: July 16, 2026
The Gift We Often Forget: Water, Near and Far
August 12, 2026
Low storage in Lake Kachess, one of five reservoirs in the Yakima Basin, in fall 2025. Courtesy Washington State Department of Ecology 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…
National Nonprofit Day: Celebrating the Organizations That Change Lives
August 12, 2026
Happy senior woman volunteer with team cleaning up street, community service concept 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…
Paws, Play and Purpose: Celebrating National Dog Month
August 12, 2026
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…
Beyond the Bookshelf: What Your Library Card Can Really Do
August 12, 2026
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…
Help those impacted by the fires in Spokane
August 3, 2026
Devastating wildfires are surrounding Spokane, causing widespread destruction and displacing tens of thousands of people. Firefighters fight to save homes from the Old Trails fire as it spreads into neighborhoods off Indian Trail on Saturday in Spokane. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review) Three wildfires on the edges of Spokane surged over the weekend, damaging hundreds…
The Gift Only You Can Give: Why Blood Donation Matters This Summer
June 30, 2026
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…
Understanding Disability Pride Month
June 30, 2026
Every July, Disability Pride Month honors the history, achievements, experiences and struggles of the disability community. The timing is intentional: July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark legislation that broke down barriers and changed lives across the country. This year's theme is "The World Works Better with Us."…
Make a splash, stay safe: water safety tips for summer
June 30, 2026
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.…
The great outdoors: why outside time matters for kids
June 30, 2026
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…
Understanding Air Quality: What Pacific Northwesterners Need to Know About Wildfire Smoke
June 30, 2026
Wildfire Smoke and Your Health: What You Need to Know Wildfire season is here, and while air quality in the Pacific Northwest is safe most of the time, many of us still remember October 2022, when Seattle briefly ranked as the most polluted city on Earth. That kind of event is a good reminder that…
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…