In honor of our 110th anniversary, we’ve awarded more than $110,000 in grants to help build a stronger, more diverse workforce through strengthening communities. Since our doors first opened all those years ago, our focus has been not only on the customers we have the honor to serve, but doing our part to create more equitable and connected communities.
That legacy of service was instilled by Ben Bridge himself. After retiring at a young age, Ben devoted the rest of his life to serving his community. His sons Herb and Bob Bridge carried on that tradition. Herb kept a plaque on his desk that read “service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on earth.” He earned the nickname Mr. Downtown by serving as a chairperson for almost every civic organization in Seattle.
Today, we still believe that when business, non-profits and educational organizations work together, we can make huge strides toward creating a better world one community at a time. That’s exactly why we launched our community grants initiative. The response was amazing. We received more than 40 applications and chose 11 organizations throughout California and the Pacific Northwest to each receive up to a $10,000 grant.
A special five-person team vetted every application to determine which organizations would make the most impact with the funds to further educational initiatives and develop leadership in our communities.
“Ben Bridge has always been about diversity,” says Lisa Bridge, President & CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler. “For our 110th anniversary, we wanted to celebrate by investing in the next generation of diverse leaders. We are proud of the communities we serve and want to ensure a strong, vibrant and equitable next 110 years.”
It was inspiring to see how many great organizations applied, but in the end, we could only choose 11. Here are the organizations that we believe are making a major impact in our communities and creating a brighter future for everyone.
This King County-based youth leadership program has several ongoing initiatives focused on middle school and high school aged students. For example, one program gives students a safe space to study, connect and meet new students, be themselves, and engage in fun activities. Students also have support academically with tutoring and study sessions along with free drinks and snacks. All programs are free to all students. http://www.blackcoffeenw.com/
The largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. For over 30 years, they have stood as a beacon of hope in Los Angeles by providing training and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of the community.https://homeboyindustries.org/
A program in the Seattle area that encourages young students to build a love of reading while helping teens to develop leadership skills. Team Read is committed to growing educational equity and implementing anti-racist practices through its programs and as an organization. They partner with and impact school systems by increasing access and opportunity for youth who are furthest from educational justice and through the intentional selection of school partners and program participants. Their work is meant to equip, inspire, and educate young people so they can change the world to become a just, equitable place for all. This means increasing justice and fairness within their own organization and within the larger system. https://www.teamread.org/
Serving the South Puget Sound community, Tacoma Urban League assists African-Americans, other ethnic minorities, and economically disadvantaged individuals and families to achieve social equality and economic independence. They are devoted to empowering African Americans and other disenfranchised groups to enter the economic and social mainstream. From its earliest days in the civil rights movement, through years of partnership with government and public agencies, the Tacoma Urban League has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. https://thetacomaurbanleague.org/
Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) is the first foundation dedicated to supporting public K-12 initiatives in Washington State. They provide inclusive books for elementary and secondary classroom libraries. Their mission is to promote and fund the best possible learning opportunities for all students in Bellevue’s public schools. Since its inception, BSF has committed over $25 million to fund critical programs that fall through the financial cracks of local, state, and federal funding structures.https://www.bellevueschoolsfoundation.org/
As part of the YMCA organization, this is a cause-driven organization focused on three key areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. They are working to build a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body. https://www.seattleymca.org/
A diverse community of young adults, elders, volunteers, guides, youth and families who are wholly focused on bringing out the best in boys. Their mission is to encourage compassionate, inspired and resilient young men through nature-based rites of passage, mentorship, and community engagement. They are deeply committed to fostering equitable and regenerative communities that address many of modern society’s most prominent issues, namely sexual assault and violence against women, traumatic early life experiences, and the abuse of natural resources. https://journeymen.us/
A program based in Bellevue, Washington whose mission is to enhance the lives of children who have disabilities and special needs and the high school athletes who mentor them. They believe that modeling acceptance, inclusion and respect of all individuals transforms and strengthens communities.https://athletesforkids.org/
A program that introduces underserved and underrepresented youths to the world of aviation and the practical applications of STEM along with the history of aviation and encourage interest in aerospace related careers.https://redtailedhawksflyingclub.org/
Based in the South Puget Sound area, the school focuses on preparing a diverse student population to succeed in college and impact their community as problem solvers, innovators, and the next generation of equity-driven leaders of change. They make a broader impact on public education across Washington state by advocating for public policies that close the opportunity gap and provide all students their right to a high-quality education.https://www.impactps.org/
An international nonprofit membership association dedicated to the inclusion and advancement of Black professionals within the gem, jewelry, and watch industry in partnership with North Seattle College watch technology program to foster diversity in the next generation of watchmakers.https://blackinjewelry.org/
When you support businesses that invest back into the communities they serve, you help strengthen those bonds and create opportunities for the next generation of leaders. We included links above so you can learn more about the organizations that received our community grants and how you can support them as well.