Every year, Superfeet gives 1% of sales and over a thousand volunteer hours to organizations working to shape a strong foundation for a healthy future. Our Local Grants Program supports many non-profit organizations right here in the Pacific Northwest, home to Superfeet headquarters for more than 40 years.
This year, our grants were awarded to organizations helping people and the planet. All these great organizations are working to provide basic needs like food, housing or health care, promote access to outdoor spaces and help protect the environment.
Four special nonprofits focused on everything from providing services to those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to organizing free outdoor programs for Latinx and Migrant communities received $10,000 each to continue their important work.
We're so proud to be able to invest in local organizations working tirelessly to make this community a better place. Read on to find out more about how each of these cooperatives, clubs and even a food truck are making a positive impact right here in the Pacific Northwest. Congratulations to all our 2022 local grant recipients!
Four Special Grant Recipients
Vamos Outdoors Project
Hispanic and Latinx communities make up nearly 10% of Whatcom County's population but only accounted for 0.4% of visitors to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, according to a recent USDA Forest Service survey. The Vamos Outdoors Project is working to change that. By elminating barriers to activities like mountain biking and hiking, as well as offering after school experiences and bilingual environmental education, Vamos Outdoors is helping make the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest more accessible.
Northwest Youth Services
Northwest Youth Services has been providing support for young people experiencing homelessness since 1976. Along with housing support and rental assistance, NYS also connects youth with mental health services and fosters self-reliance by helping teens and young adults enroll in school or find a job.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County provides safe spaces for anyone affected by partner violence or sexual assault. This vital nonprofit also assists survivors with safe housing and prevention education to help break the cycle of violence. The mission of DVSAS is to end violent abuses of power in the community with the help of volunteers and partnerships with other organizations, school districts and law enforcement.
Whatcom Land Trust
Through land purchases, transfers and gifts, Whatcom Land Trust has created 15 parks and preserves in northwest Washington. Using an approach that includes not only land securement, stewardship and restoration but also community engagement in environmental protection, Whatcom Land Trust has improved biodiversity in local ecosystems and helped facilitate the recovery of important species.
Superfeet Local Grant Recipients Also Include These Great Organizations
American Rivers
Support from Superfeet will help fund ongoing efforts to develop the Maple Creek River Access and Restoration Site to improve river access, recreation, and riparian restoration on the North Fork Nooksack River. Learn more
Special Olympics Washington Baker 542 Ride
Superfeet's support will help Whatcom County's Special Olympics Ski and Snoboard team get team jackets and train at the Mt. Baker Ski Area. Learn more
Blue Skies for Children
Blue Skies for Children offers enrichment programs for low-income, homeless and foster children. Superfeet's support will go toward the Little Wishes Enrichment Program, which offers kids the opportunity to participate in meaningful extracurricular activities. Learn more
Boys & Girls Club of Whatcom County
Supporting investment in new safe and durable play equipment will ensure children in each different age group have access to meaningful opportunities for outdoor play for many years to come. Learn more
Brigid Collins Family Support Center
Superfeet is proud to support the continuation and addition of programs that will specifically strengthen trauma informed services that address past abuse and current trauma facing LGBTQ+ youth. Learn more
Common Threads
Common Threads helps build community resilience by increasing access to free, scratch-cooked, culturally accessible, nourishing school-day, summer and after school meals for hungry low income, BIPOC and rural youth with high rates of food insecurity. Superfeet's support will go toward the operation of a new food truck to continue their mission. Learn more
Ferndale Community Services
Ferndale Community Services has many different programs for low-income households including The Other Bank program, which Superfeet's support will help expand. It provides a monthly supply of hygiene items to families in need. Learn more
Foster Hearts
Foster Hearts provides support, fun activities and personal items to children in foster care. Superfeet's support will aid programs designed around social and athletic activies and educational supplies. Learn more
Lydia Place
Lydia Place is working to end homelessness through housing subsidies as well as counseling and parenting programs. Learn more
Max Higbee Center
The Max Higbee Center provides programs and services to combat the negative and long-term impacts of isolation that those with developmental disabilities have experienced historically and disproportionately during the pandemic. Learn more
NAMI Whatcom County
Superfeet's support for the local branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will help provide crisis cards and educational booklets in multiple languages to the community who can utilize the new 988 line for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and suicidal crisis. Learn more
Northwest Alliance for College Access/FuturesNW
There are many barriers that can make post-secondary education inaccessible. Students from under-served communities in Whatcom and Skagit Counties can turn to FuturesNW for help with everything from financial aid literacy to career advising. Learn more
Open Hands Calvary Creekside
Open Hands provides meals to last through weekends and holidays to underrepresented children who utilize the free or reduced meal programs within their school district. Learn more
Our TreeHouse
Our TreeHouse provides community for grieving children, teens and families. Superfeet's support will help expand the current support group offerings to include an additional Family Night. Learn more
RE Sources
This nonprofit works to safeguard the central Salish Sea ecosystem and surrounding communities through environmental education and grassroots action, building resilience in the face of climate change. Learn more
Rebound Families
Working with families to repair relationships and restore connections is at the heart of Rebound's work. The Roots Family Enrichment Program includes free parenting classes and hot meals for all participants. Learn more
Skookum Kids
Skookum Kids seeks to revolutionize the foster care system by making it a kinder, more compassionate place for everyone involved. The organization holds many events including Camp Skookum, a retreat for kids and families impacted by the foster care system. Learn more
Whatcom Council on Aging
This local organization provides recreational, educational and nutritional support to senior adults throughout Whatcom County to help them live fulfilling, independent lives. Learn more
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
The WDRC holds workshops focused on providing conflict resolution and relationship management skills for residents at low-cost housing facilities. Learn more
Wild Whatcom
Wild Whatcom connects underserved youth populations directly with local nature, giving them a greater appreciation for the environment. Learn more
YWCA Bellingham
Through programs that include women's housing and job training, the YWCA's mission is to empower women, eliminate racism and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Learn more
For more about Superfeet corporate giving, visit superfeet.com/giving.
