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July 09, 2025
Looking Back, Moving Forward
After nearly six years, I have decided to step down as Executive Director of the Raikes Foundation this fall. It has been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside a team and community of partners committed to putting the American Dream within everyone’s reach. I joined the foundation at a time of profound change in our country. The racial reckoning of 2020 and COVID-19 were defining moments that challenged us to respond with clarity and conviction. With the support and hard work of our staff and leadership, the Raikes Foundation deepened its commitment to racial justice and reimagined what it means to be in partnership—with young people, with community, and with grantees. That commitment is reflected across our portfolios today. Whether it’s improving school funding and student experience in public schools, reducing youth and young adult homelessness, or empowering donors to fund meaningful change in their communities—we are guided by a vision of a future where opportunity is within reach for everyone. During my tenure, we also launched a new portfolio dedicated to advancing people’s ability to shape the decisions that affect their daily lives. A healthy, thriving democracy underpins everything we care about— from education and housing to our collective well-being— and I’m excited to see this work grow and deepen alongside the foundation’s other core initiatives. As I step away from this role, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be launching a new organization later this year. Our mission is to help mend our fractured civic identity by supporting diverse approaches to organizing and community building, especially in areas with limited philanthropic infrastructure. I will remain closely engaged with our trustees, Jeff and Tricia, and staff over the next several months to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition. The Raikes Foundation’s mission and values remain as strong as ever. Our work is powered by a remarkable community of partners, grantees, and staff whose dedication and creativity will continue to drive positive change. It has been a privilege to walk alongside them, and I am deeply grateful for the trust and partnership extended to me over the past six years. I am inspired by all that I’ve learned here—by the power of collaboration, connection, and shared leadership. I look forward to celebrating the foundation as it evolves, reaches farther, and makes space for more people to lead, belong, and thrive. With gratitude, DennisJune 28, 2024
The Raikes Foundation Responds To Supreme Court Decision Upholding Criminalization Of Homelessness
SEATTLE, WA – Today, the Supreme Court issued its decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, ruling that cities are permitted to penalize individuals for living unsheltered in public places even where no other options exist. Raikes Foundation Co-Founders Tricia and Jeff Raikes issued the following statement in response: “Criminalization is not the answer to our homelessness crisis. This decision will harm all individuals experiencing homelessness – especially the 4.2 million youth and young adults who experience it each year – by allowing the counterproductive penalization of homelessness. None of us should grow accustomed to our neighbors living unsheltered. We understand the feelings of frustration and concern that can lead community members and elected officials alike to turn to responses centered on criminalization. But criminalization only exacerbates the problem in the long term by increasing barriers to stable housing, employment, and access to services. This is especially true for young people, a population too often pushed into the shadows because of their social and economic realities. Criminalization was the preferred response to homelessness for decades and it has never worked. But we don’t just have to imagine an alternative response—there are proven solutions at work in Washington State right now to reduce youth and young adult homelessness. Without resorting to criminalization, between 2016 and 2022 the number of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in the state fell by 40 percent. That progress came from coordination with schools, state agencies, organizations, and youth themselves to address the root causes, not the symptoms of this crisis. The Raikes Foundation remains steadfast in our commitment to preventing and addressing the crisis of youth homelessness and building a future where all young people have a safe, welcoming place to call home.” About the Raikes Foundation At the Raikes Foundation, we believe that when we work together and center the voices of young people, we can build a fair society for all. Our goal is to bring people together to break down barriers that prevent communities from thriving and to support solutions that allow all of us to determine a fair and just future for America. We make grants in four core areas: education, housing stability for youth, racial equity and democracy, and impact-driven philanthropy. Through our grants, we seek to redefine financial impact, support individuals, and promote community agency and solutions to build a more just and inclusive society where all young people have the support they need to achieve their full potential. To learn more about our work, visit https://raikesfoundation.org.