We believe
small acts of kindness can
change the world.
Last year InvestED changed the lives of almost 25,000 students throughout Washington State, without paperwork or questions. Immediate help when it was needed most. Associated Student Body (ASB) cards, testing fees, track shoes, a warm coat. Big impacts, little cost. No fuss. Even though we helped almost 25,000 students last year, we estimate there are 250,000 students who still need our help. The dropout rate in Washington State is 21% we can do better. Will you Join us?
real students | Real stories | real impact
Home is a Car
Call him Jake, a typical middle school student in Walla Walla. Smart, friendly, awkward at times, Jake was typical for his age, except he lived in a car with his father. It’s all they could afford. To avoid detection (and tickets), they moved from place to place every night.
Belonging
Nobody likes to be a stranger, but that wasn’t a choice for a Federal Way 10th grader, let’s call her Kate. In two years she moved six times, bouncing from family member to family member, new school to new school.
Chance EncounteR
The need for a helping hand often shows up at the oddest times and in the most unexpected places. Bellevue has one of the highest median incomes in the state, but on an icy cold morning not long ago, a teacher ran into a student entering school in sandals, sleeveless blouse and a summer skirt.
How it works
1. DONATIONS
InvestED funding comes from individual donors, foundations, corporations, events and local fundraisers.
2. INVESTED
Our proprietary software system allows us to track funding and assist students in getting what they need when they need it.
3. SCHOOL PARTNERS
635 partner schools transform InvestED dollars into immediate help for students in need.
4. IMPACT
23,664 students received small items ranging from academic fees to art supplies, with no red-tape or paperwork to fill out. Immediate help when students need it the most!
OUR GOAL
InvestED aims to provide $2 million per year to students in need throughout Washington State beginning in 2020. We know we’re only reaching a fraction of the students that need immediate help. It’s an aggressive goal and we’re determined to reach it. Join us and make an impact!
Our Team
Joyce walters, Executive Director
"On my 11th birthday, a family friend presented me with a beautiful gift. To this day, I still have no Idea why they gave it to me. This small act of kindness blossomed into a tradition that I’ve paid forward with my daughter, nieces, and friends’ daughters.I always have a big
celebration when a little girl has her eleventh birthday to honor that act of
kindness in my life."
Nawid Atayee, Administrative specialist
"When I graduated from
high school, it was necessary for me to earn an income to support my family and
save money for college. It was difficult finding a job and I began volunteering
at a computer-training academy. A friend recommended me to a humanitarian
nonprofit where I became a data entry clerk. This small act of kindness began
my life career and shaped my future."
CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN, Investments and Partnerships Officer
"My mother was a single mom of two and we were living on government assistance, which provided the bare minimum our family needed to survive. On occasion, we would come home to random bags of groceries on our porch. This small act of kindness has helped shape the person I’ve become today."
David hartness, Program manager
"When I was living in
Ebukolo Kenya, I was caught in a sudden rainstorm. I was a mile away from home
and frustrated when a stranger rushed out of his home to usher me inside. The
man gave me shelter, tea, cookies and 2 hours of conversation. That small act
of kindness reaffirmed the generosity, kindness and human spirit. It taught me
to give back in small ways each day."
Zander Lyskin, Investments and Partnerships Officer
"When I was traveling
in Kurnool, India, I was invited to the home of an employee at a nonprofit I
was visiting. He and his family were struggling economically, but he hosted me
for a full meal. This small act of kindness taught me that no matter what level
of wealth a person may have, each of us could still give to others. This man
and other individuals like him inspired me to pursue a career in social
enterprise."
Judy simpson, Communications Manager
"The first time I was separated from my twin sister in school, was in a brand new city. I was terrified walking into that room by myself. A girl offered to show me the playground (YAY!) and meet her friends. This small act of kindness taught me the value of welcoming others."
Andre' Wesson, Director, investments and partnerships
"When I was a senior in high school, I had an amazing guidance counselor who went above-and-beyond the call of duty to help me realize my college dreams. She spent extra hours helping me research and apply for scholarship opportunities to cover the full cost of tuition. Thanks to her dedication, I received generous financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and attended the university of my dreams. I am eternally grateful to both my counselor and the foundation! Together they provided those additional encouragements and resources I needed to continue achieving.
our Board
MICK MILLER, PRESIDENT
ESD 101 Assistant Superintendent,
Student Learning & Support Services
Sandi Bennett-Scott, Ed.D.
1st Vice PRESIDENT
Shaw Middle School
Instructional Coach
Sourabh Mathur, Treasurer
Sogeti
Senior Manager/Unit Practice Lead
Andy Knapp, secretary
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
Director of Marketing, Promotions & Corporate Partners
Trevor Carlson
Piper Jaffray
Managing Director
Mia Coffman
Starbucks
Product Manager, Licensed Store Marketing
Trish Millines Dziko
TAF (Technology Access Foundation)
Co-founder, Executive Director
Sam Howard
Plaster Group, LLC
Sr. Supply Chain Consultant
Brian Kistler
Kutak Rock, LLP
Attorney
Patrick Leonard
MIDAS Education
Chief Operating Officer
Marcie Maxwell
Former State Representative
Joe Osborne
Tackle.io
Regional Director
Dr. Damien Pattenaude
Renton School District
Superintendent
Dr. Susana reyes
Pasco School District
Asst. Superintendent, Operations and Human Resources
Jeff Richards
Seattle Seahawks
Vice President, of Marketing and Community Engagement
Dave Wilson
Spokane Packaging
Steven Brown
City University of Seattle
Academic Program Director, School of Ed. Graduate Program
More than fifty years of providing immediate help for students in need.
In 1963, Saul Haas (owner and founder of KIRO Radio and Television) had a daughter at Garfield High School and discovered that the critical needs of many low income students were not being met, jeopardizing their ability to stay in school. He began to donate to Garfield and other schools, eventually founding the Saul and Dayee G. Haas Foundation in 1972. In 2009, the foundation transitioned to public charity status and adopted the name InvestED. Because of Saul’s vision, tens of thousands of students throughout the state have received small acts of kindness and caring that has made the difference in their lives.
1963 - Saul Haas, founder and president of KIRO Broadcasting, launched the foundation
1973 - Saul Haas dies, Dayee Haas becomes president; Foundation expands to include all high schools in Washington State
1976 - Expansion to include all public and private secondary schools
1983 - Dayee Haas dies
1988 - Foundation celebrates 25 years
1998 - Matching program launched
2010 - Transition from foundation to public charity Saul & Dayee G. Haas Foundation name change to InvestED
2013 - Organization celebrates 50 years
2014 - The Seattle Seahawks choose InvestED as a partner for the license plate program