Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos commits $25 million to statewide matching gift challenge Eastern Washington funders seed local COVID-19 fund with $275,000: Avista Corporation, Washington Trust Bank, Numerica Credit Union and Cowles Company
SPOKANE, WA, May 2020; Today, Innovia Foundation and Eastern Washington funding partners join in the launch of the statewide coordinated effort, All In WA, a movement for giving back and stepping up to help those who have been acutely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
All In WA flags will be raised in six sites across the state at 11:30 am on Wednesday, May 27 to show support for this effort. In Spokane, a flag raising will take place at the Spokane County Courthouse. All In WA has issued a $25 million-dollar matching gift challenge for the state. For every dollar raised, All In WA will match dollar for dollar, up to $1 million per unique donor. Community members can donate locally to the Eastern Washington COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund hosted at Innovia Foundation by visiting www.innovia.org/covid19.
“The All In WA relief effort is a tremendous opportunity for local contributions to provide twice the impact in helping our neighbors in need,” said Shelly O’Quinn, CEO, Innovia Foundation. “Donations to Eastern Washington COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund at Innovia Foundation will stay in this region to address the immediate health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19, as well as long-term recovery efforts in our local communities.”
At launch, Eastern Washington funders have committed over $275,000 towards the match. Initial donors to meet the All in WA challenge for Eastern Washington include Avista Corporation, Washington Trust Bank, Numerica Credit Union and Cowles Company.
“Washington Trust Bank is honored to contribute locally to support the All in WA movement. Small businesses throughout Eastern Washington are facing significant challenges resulting from COVID-19,” said Jack Heath, President & COO of Washington Trust Bank. “It is important that we invest locally in the economic recovery of our region and support the businesses that make our community thrive.”
“With so much disruption and uncertainty, it is now especially meaningful for us to support the organizations and resources that make such a difference in people’s lives,” said Dennis Vermillion, Avista President and CEO. “The COVID-19 crisis has added to the need in our communities and we want to help.”
“Numerica sought out this opportunity to lift up those in need right here in our community,” said Carla Cicero, Numerica President and CEO. “By partnering with Innovia and other local leaders, our matched donation will help people in our community rise after this difficult time.” All In WA is powered by a coalition of businesses, philanthropic leaders, community foundations, United Way organizations, community leaders, frontline nonprofits, individuals and public officials. These partners have come together to provide immediate critical and emergency support for workers and families most affected across Washington State, and to mobilize committed community and philanthropic groups to go All In for WA.
Additionally, as part of the launch of All In WA, there will be a virtual statewide concert, on June 10 to raise funds for workers and families who have been acutely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The concert, produced by Amazon will be streamed live locally on KREM and can also be viewed on Twitch and at www.allinWA.org. The concert lineup includes Pearl Jam, Macklemore, Brandi Carlile, Ciara, Russell Wilson, The Black Tones, Dave Matthews, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Pete Carroll, Mary Lambert, Joel McHale, Ben Gibbard, and Allen Stone with a full lineup to be announced at a later date.
About the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund at Innovia Foundation: The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund is hosted at Innovia Foundation in partnership with Empire Health Foundation, Spokane County United Way and Avista Foundation.
The funds are designed to complement the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address the outbreak as effectively as possible. Nearly $800,000 was distributed in the first round of COVID-19 grantmaking, directed to nonprofit and grassroots organizations, as well as schools and other government agencies, that are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. The second round of grant distributions from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery
Funds is expected in mid-June and will focus on addressing locally identified needs of communities throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
COVID-19 Response and Recovery Funding partners: Innovia Foundation, Empire Health Foundation, Spokane County United Way, Avista Foundation, Ballmer Group, Bank of America, BECU, Better Health Together, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Burlington Northern, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation, Columbia Bank, Community Building Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington, Equinox Foundation, Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County, Itron, Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation, MultiCare Health System, M.J. Murdock Charitable Foundation, Mountain West Bank, Perigee Fund, PotlatchDeltic Corporation, Premera Blue Cross, Providence Health Care, Umpqua Bank, Wells Fargo and Women Helping Women Fund.
