Group launches All In Wa fund to raise $65M for COVID-19 crisis relief

Fundraising includes a virtual concert June 10 featuring Pearl Jam, Macklemore and others

May 27, 2020 11:06 am
Macklemore will perform as part of a virtual concert June 10 to raise money for All In Wa, a group formed to support people in need because of the COVID-19 outbreak. COURTESY PHOTO
Macklemore will perform as part of a virtual concert June 10 to raise money for All In Wa, a group formed to support people in need because of the COVID-19 outbreak. COURTESY PHOTO

Key nonprofits, community leaders, businesses and philanthropies across the state on Wednesday joined together to launch All In WA, a coordinated, statewide relief effort that will support workers and families who have been acutely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

At launch, the effort had already raised $20 million toward a $65 million goal to be met in coming months, according to a press release from All In Wa. All In WA flags will be raised at six sites across the state at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27 to show support.

“Washington state was at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our state will be at the forefront of a safe recovery,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in the press release. “All In WA is helping to fill the gaps in funding across the state to provide relief to those who are suffering and to lay the groundwork to restart our economy in a safe, supported and sensible way. I’d like to thank Jeff Bezos for his pledge to match donations, and all the other generous donors and businesses who are making this possible.”

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos will match individual donations under $1 million to All In WA causes, up to a total of $25 million. Of the initial $20 million in commitments, approximately $8 million are eligible for matching funds. Launch commitments include generous contributions from the Ballmer Group, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, Howard & Sheri Schultz, Perigee Fund, Nick & Leslie Hanauer, and Jim and Jan Sinegal.

“Individuals, families, and communities across Washington state are struggling as a result of COVID-19, and I commend Gov. Inslee and the first lady for inspiring thinking big, so that All In WA can help those who so desperately need it,” Bezos said. “It’s been inspiring to watch the people of this state band together and push through this crisis, and I’m excited to see that continue as we raise money for this important cause.”

As different parts of the state are in different phases of reopening, one in five workers across the state have filed for unemployment and are at risk of housing or food insecurity due to a decrease in wages as a result of COVID-19. Impacted workers and families across the state are affected by grief and economic insecurity. All In WA will help address the needs of a range of causes and communities including those facing food shortages, health disparities, those in need of housing assistance, small businesses, families and children, and essential workers.

The relief effort, All In WA, is a coalition of philanthropic and community leaders, companies, community foundations, United Way organizations, frontline nonprofits, individuals, and public officials across the state.

“For Microsoft and all of us that live and work in Washington State, All in WA provides an inspiration and opportunity to come together to strengthen our community safety net and help those most in need,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said. “We are proud to partner with so many on this important initiative.”

All In WA is being managed by a list of leaders across the state. The effort is powered by a diverse network of community foundations and leaders.

Donations can be made to the All In WA Fund, an aggregate fund that will address funding gaps across the state, or directly to Community funds and Cause-specific funds across Washington, including those in need of housing assistance, small businesses, families and children, essential workers and more. Funds donated to the All In WA Fund will be distributed in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations across the state. A Fund Advisory Group has been established to oversee the grant making from the All In WA Fund.

Virtual concert on June 10

To promote this effort and help raise funds, there will be a virtual benefit concert on Wednesday, June 10, All In WA: A Concert for COVID-19 Relief by Presenting Sponsor Amazon, who will donate more than $10 million in cash and in-kind benefits, and Community Leadership Sponsor Microsoft, who will donate $2.5 million in cash directly to the relief funds. Additional Sponsors include Laird Norton Family Enterprise, Seattle Genetics, Puget Sound Energy, Avista, Madrona Venture Group, Premera Blue Cross, Russell Investments and Zillow Group.

The concert will stream on June 10, beginning at 7 p.m. on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel (www.twitch.tv/amazonmusic) and through www.AllInWA.org and air statewide on KING 5 (NBC, Seattle), KONG (Independent, Seattle) KREM (CBS, Spokane), KSKN (CW, Spokane), KVEW/KAPP, and KGW Portland Subchannel 8.2 (Justice Network). Immediately following the live stream, a recording of the concert will be available on Prime Video. KEXP will be a radio media sponsor.

The virtual benefit concert will include 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 the full lineup to be announced at a later date. All donations will go directly to those in need. The virtual concert will be produced by Anonymous Content and Done and Dusted.

To contribute to the All In WA Fund or directly to Cause and Community funds, visit www.allinWA.org.