## Local Organizations
Washington has a dense network of statewide and local civic, business, and nonprofit organizations. A few widely known examples include:
- **Association of Washington Business (AWB)** — statewide business association focused on policy, workforce, and economic development. - **Washington State Opportunity Scholarship** — public-private nonprofit supporting higher education and workforce pathways in high-demand fields. - **United Way of King County** and other regional **United Way** chapters — active in housing stability, food access, and community support. - **The Seattle Foundation** — one of the state's major community foundations, supporting philanthropy and local initiatives. - **Washington Nonprofits** — statewide support organization for nonprofit capacity-building and advocacy. - **Rotary clubs** and **Lions clubs** — active in many Washington cities and towns, often supporting scholarships, food drives, and community projects. - **Local chambers of commerce** — including the **Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce**, **Spokane Chamber of Commerce**, and **Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber**, among many others. - **YMCA of Greater Seattle** and regional YMCAs — youth programs, recreation, and social services. - **Boys & Girls Clubs** across the state — after-school and youth development services. - **Feeding America network partners**, including major regional food banks and food distribution nonprofits. - **Washington Trails Association** — a well-known outdoor stewardship nonprofit focused on trails, hiking access, and volunteer work parties. - **Forterra** — land conservation and community development organization active in Washington. - **The Nature Conservancy in Washington** — conservation work on forests, shorelines, and habitat. - **Conservation Northwest** — regional conservation organization with strong Washington presence. - **ArtsFund** and local arts councils — support for museums, performing arts, and cultural institutions.
### Common types of local organizations residents can find
- Neighborhood associations - Parent-teacher associations and school booster clubs - Faith communities and interfaith coalitions - Environmental cleanup groups - Historical societies - Senior centers - Community health clinics - Mutual aid networks - Cultural associations representing Native, Asian, Latino, Black, Pacific Islander, and immigrant communities
### How to find community groups
Residents often use:
- City government community pages - Public library bulletin boards and event calendars - County volunteer hubs - Chamber of commerce directories - United Way and nonprofit directories - Parks and recreation department listings