Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA), formerly known as Washington Nonprofits, the state’s association for nonprofit organizations, has played a pivotal role in advocating for and supporting the nonprofit sector across Washington State. Its history is a testament to collaboration, persistence, and the recognition of the essential role nonprofits play in community development. The history of the Nonprofit Association of Washington tells a story of humble beginnings to formal incorporation, growth, and impact on the nonprofit community.
The seeds of Washington Nonprofits (later rebranded as the Nonprofit Association of Washington or NAWA for short) were planted in the mid-1990s when Seattle University and The Evergreen State Society organized an annual nonprofit conference. This conference became a key meeting place where nonprofit organizations could network, share insights, and explore ways to strengthen their collective impact. Over time, the desire to formalize the conference grew, leading to a 2004 convening of 15 nonprofit organizations across the state. This event marked the beginning of efforts to create a statewide association.
In 2009, the push for formalizing the association gained momentum, thanks to key nonprofit leaders in the sector and initial funding from the Seattle Foundation and the Lucky Seven Foundation. The purpose of the proposed state association was clear: to provide nonprofits with better representation in policy decisions, enhance access to programs and funding, and improve capacity-building services. Despite several hurdles, two incorporators, Elizabeth M. Heath and Jeanne Kojis, officially filed the Articles of Incorporation for Washington Nonprofits in January 2010.
With the incorporation complete, Washington Nonprofits held community listening sessions across the state, gathering insights and identifying the needs of the nonprofit sector. By late 2010, significant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other major donors helped to push the planning process forward. In 2011, the organization hosted its first Public Policy Forum and launched its monthly newsletter, building visibility and engagement. In October of that year, Washington Nonprofits celebrated its official launch, hosting events simultaneously in Spokane and Olympia.
The early 2010s saw rapid organizational development and growth. Washington Nonprofits secured a Gates Foundation grant and hired its first communications and membership manager. By mid-2012, membership had surpassed 200 organizations and individuals. The association began taking on greater responsibilities, including the management of the Washington State Nonprofit Conference, which had been established in the 1990s. By 2013, Washington Nonprofits was recognized as a state association by the National Council of Nonprofits.
In the years that followed, the organization focused on refining its programs and strengthening its infrastructure. Initiatives such as the “Governance Symposium on the Road,” public policy advocacy, and capacity-building programs became cornerstones of its offerings. A strategic partnership with the Washington State Office of the Secretary of State in 2015 helped expand its training and education services, solidifying its role as a key advocate and support system for nonprofits and nonprofit professionals statewide.
In 2016, Washington Nonprofits underwent a leadership transition when the first Executive Director Alison McCaffree chose to step down. Laura Pierce officially joined NAWA as Executive Director in 2017. This period marked a renewed focus on equity, internal capacity building, and network development. In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world and halted in-person training and workshops of Washington Nonprofits. The Washington Nonprofits team was forced to do a sharp pivot from hosting in-person workshops and trainings to a virtual format while also utilizing its status as the State Nonprofit Association to inform, support, and advocate for nonprofits in Washington during the pandemic.
Due to the pandemic, Washington Nonprofits chose to focus on becoming a hub of information, offering mutual support, and access to financial assistance for nonprofits during this difficult time. The nonprofit sector was profoundly challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic with crises that were raised throughout 2020 and 2021, like whiplash changes to the economy and racial reckoning. This presented the need for rapid response and support of nonprofits on the front lines dealing with the rapid fracturing of the trust of authorities in their communities.
In 2021 and 2022, Washington Nonprofits chose to focus on a full organizational rebrand, soliciting significant input from the wider nonprofit community, allowing the organization to truly reflect who it is and who Washington Nonprofits wanted to become. This work led to who Washington Nonprofits is known as today; the Nonprofit Association of Washington, or NAWA for short. NAWA then updated the mission, vision, and values, and doubled down on pillars; Learn, Advocate, and Collaborate. NAWA launched its new name and branding at the Washington State Nonprofit Conference in 2022.
In 2023, Executive Director Laura Pierce engaged the board to let them know she would like to step down and begin succession planning. The former NAWA board president, Erick Seelbach agreed to step in as the Interim Executive Director when Laura left at the end of January 2024, to give the board time to search for a new Executive Director.
Under Erick’s leadership, the NAWA team successfully pulled off the 30th anniversary of the Washington State Nonprofit Conference and one of the busiest years of outreach and learning events that the organization has had to date. In August of 2024, the NAWA board formally hired Neal Mizushima as the new Executive Director of the Nonprofit Association of Washington.
Today, NAWA continues to serve as a vital resource for nonprofits across the state, helping organizations navigate challenges and succeed in their missions.