For the Reporter

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Washington Chapter will honor the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe as an outstanding philanthropic organization at its Nov. 5 National Philanthropy Day luncheon.

More than 1,000 donors, volunteers, leaders and other supporters of nonprofit organizations are expected to attend the luncheon at The Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle – making it one of the largest National Philanthropy Day celebrations in the nation.

“It’s not often we have the opportunity to hear about the good things that are going on in our communities,” said Janet Aldrich Jacobs, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Washington Chapter. “This is a day for the community to come together and be inspired by the very personal stories of people from all walks of life who work tirelessly to make the world a better place.”

Since opening its Auburn casino in 1995, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has donated more than $17 million to hundreds of schools, churches, hospitals and charities throughout the state.

As the tribe has become more prosperous, so has its philanthropic giving. Last year it donated time and money to nearly 250 organizations. It has been instrumental in supporting Native American students at the University of Washington, and for spearheading conception and building of the new “Intellectual House,” a long-house style gathering place to be opened in 2015.

In 2012, following a major snowstorm, King County Executive Dow Constantine recognized the tribe for its emergency preparedness and response after numerous volunteers and staff quickly responded to a help more than 150 seniors and vulnerable people during the storm.

“We’re truly grateful to the Muckleshoot Tribe for sharing the potlatch spirit that honors generosity, and giving for the common good,” said Shelley Rotondo, executive director of Northwest Harvest, which has received $105,000 from the tribe since 2009 to provide food to the poor and needy.

Each November the AFP Washington Chapter joins national and international colleagues to honor and support the efforts and passions of philanthropic leaders and the organizations they serve.

Focused on the future of philanthropy, this year’s National Philanthropy Day event also marks the upcoming unification of AFP and the Northwest Development Officers Association. The new organization, AFP Advancement Northwest, will launch Jan. 1, dedicated to growing the capacity of the region’s nonprofit sector to better address important social challenges.