Urban Sparks

“Urban Sparks General Mission Work: We continued our mission of facilitating and leading community projects as well as acting as a resource for those wanting to accomplish public projects and charitable work. We help new associations plan their growth from a group with a cookie jar of cash, to one with a checking account, to a state nonprofit with a fiscal sponsor, to a federally recognized 501c3. We coach many projects without ever doing monetary business, helping project leaders find resources - community and government contacts, past project leaders as mentors, vendors, etc. to build their organizations or to complete their projects. We keep a website and database of resources and readily share them. We also share templates for a variety of documents needed by organizations to manage and fund their projects.”

“TRU - Transit Riders Union: We are fiscal sponsor for TRU. TRU focuses on public education and civic engagement around issues including public transit affordability and access, multimodal transportation, climate change, affordable housing, homelessness, tax policy, and other issues that impact the quality of life in Seattle and King County. TRU plays a leadership role in convening the MASS coalition, which brings together transportation, climate, and disability rights organizations to advocate for a sustainable and equitable transportation system. TRU's "We Need to Talk: Conversations on Homelessness" project brings neighbors, housed and unhoused, together for facilitated conversations about the homelessness crisis. This is an educational and community-building effort aimed at breaking down toxic narratives about homelessness and building greater understanding and empathy.”

“Seattle AmeriCorps Collaborative: Urban Sparks is fiscal sponsor for Seattle AmeriCorps Collaborative (SAC) whose mission is "to ensure that every AmeriCorps member's year of service is as fulfilling and impactful as possible; leveraging the talents, knowledge and resources of a connected and service minded community." Urban Sparks' executive director serves on SAC's advisory board. SAC is an important ally in demonstrating the need and backing for Service House.”

“Service House: Urban Sparks is developing a philanthropic living/learning center to provide full-time volunteers like AmeriCorps members with affordable housing and a welcoming and enriching program so that they learn from their elders in service and philanthropy. Our goal is for them to choose to continue to play important roles in philanthropic society as life-long donors, nonprofit managers, direct service providers, social entrepreneurs or civil servants.”

“Friend of AmeriCorps Discount Program: Urban Sparks and Seattle AmeriCorps Collaborative co-developed the Friend of AmeriCorps discount program of Window cards and Wallet Cards. Current AmeriCorps members may request a wallet card good for the duration of their service and businesses may choose to support AmeriCorps service by offering discount products and services to Current AmeriCorps members. Businesses may display the Friend of AmeriCorps window card to alert members to discounts.”

“Seattle CoderDojo: Seattle CoderDojo continues hosting coding sessions with kids and parents on most weekends throughout the year as well as bigger events like their annual Hour of Code with hundreds of kids plus their parents and 50+ volunteers. This event includes live demos and giveaways by STEM toy venders.”

“Greenways: We collaborate on greenways advocacy and planning with various greenways groups in Seattle and we are fiscal sponsor for Kirkland Greenways. We encourage small high-impact projects in Seattle which we can support with coaching, modest grants, and our tool library.”

“Magnolia Green Garden Tours: We donated our remaining funds from the Green Garden Tours to the Magnolia Beautification project.”

“Board Coaching: We met several times with board members of an important local nonprofit to help them restructure after the retirement of key staff & board members, helping them establish a new way forward. In addition we consulted with budding organizations to help them take growth steps at a sustainable pace.”

“Transit Riders Union Project; Grantmaking; Transit Riders Union: P.O. Box 20723, Seattle, WA, 98102; Grantee, 36000.”

“Magnolia Beautification Project; Grantmaking; Magnolia Chamber of Commerce: 3213 W Wheeler St #42., Seattle, WA, 98199; Grantee, 1468.”

“Supplies and Program Expenses 176.”

“Telephone 1686.”

“Conferences/Travel 265.”

“Computer/Technical 517.”

“Bank and Credit Card Fees 108.”

“Other 480.”