Safeco Foundation has a lot of give to it
Safeco Insurance Foundation Monday announced its entry onto the local philanthropic scene with $500,000 grants to three community organizations: the Seattle Parks Foundation, the Wing Luke Asian Museum and the Northwest African American Museum.
The grants will help complete significant civic projects.
The Parks Foundation will use its half-million dollars to complete a pedestrian bridge between two sections of the new Lake Union Park, a 12-acre, $20 million projection the south edge of the lake. The bridge is expected to be finished in January.
Wing Luke Asian Museum “is in the homestretch” of a $23.2 million capital campaign to renovate the East Kong Yick building, according to museum spokeswoman Joann Natalia Aquino. The Safeco grant will help convert the 1910 Chinatown International District hotel into the museum’s new home, due to open in May.
The under-construction Northwest African American Museum plans to open its doors on the site of the Colman School in Seattle’s Central Area in 2008 also.
“It’s wonderful to get this particular gift Thanksgiving week,” said Carver Gayton, the museum’s executive director.
The Safeco Insurance Foundation was created as a vehicle for long-term giving with a $90 million endowment, said foundation President Virginia Anderson. She added that the three organizations were chosen for their ability to build connections between communities.
Anderson served 18 years as director of Seattle Center, stepping down in 2006. She joined the Safeco Insurance Foundation a year later.
The foundation’s inaugural grants are being distributed in partnership with Philanthropy Northwest, which supports foundation, corporate and individual giving in five states.
Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com