Since 1999 we have been fostering philanthropy in South and East King County and acting as a connector around people, place and purpose. Our mission is to ignite the power of philanthropy – by connecting people, ideas and resources – to support and engage our community.
We partner with individual philanthropists and non-profit organizations to provide solutions to today’s challenges, so that together we can work toward our vision of a vibrant, equitable region where communities flourish and everyone thrives.
The following core values drive both what we do and how we do our work:
- Equity, Dignity, & Belonging
- Courageous Leadership
- Inspired Giving
- Integrity
- Community Relationships
We live out our values, vision and mission by:
- Inspiring a Culture of Abundance
- Stewarding Resources to Harness Community Assets and Meet Community Needs
- Amplifying Community Voice and Deepening Community Engagement
- Advocating for the South King County Region
Learn more about what it means to be a community foundation on our FAQ page.
Humble Roots
Our History
The Renton Regional Community Foundation is the result of a grassroots effort organized by local community leaders with one goal in mind—to create a long-lasting funding source that can meet emerging community needs.
In 1999, members of the Renton Chamber of Commerce Board voted to change the name of the chamber foundation to the Renton Regional Community Foundation, thereby transferring approximately $257,000 in chamber funds to the new community foundation.
New foundation board members recruited five major stakeholders to their cause: presidents/CEOs from the Renton Chamber of Commerce, Valley Medical Center and Renton Technical College, the superintendent of Renton schools and an elected City of Renton official. Collectively, these individuals made a commitment to serve on the new community foundation board for a minimum of five years. These original stakeholders still play a major role in the future of the Foundation.
Today, RRCF manages $16 million and more than 70 individual charitable funds. As these numbers continue to grow, we aim to provide an enduring impact on our regional community through the power of philanthropy.
Meet Our Team
The Renton Regional Community Foundation is led by two staff members and a board of directors comprised of various community leaders. These individuals are active in the community, bringing a high level of expertise and experience to further the Foundation’s mission.
Recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Woman of Influence, LeAnne is a leader in the philanthropic and non-profit community. She has more than 25 years of experience in executive leadership working for social change. For 15 of those years, LeAnne was Executive Director of the Women’s Funding Alliance in Seattle, having developed the organization into a well-respected, highly impactful grant making organization. LeAnne’s experience also includes founding a micro-enterprise organization in Michigan, initiating a leadership and racial equity project, fulfilling senior interim roles, and sitting on a variety of community boards. LeAnne is motivated by advancing equity in the world through personal, community, and systemic change. In her spare time, LeAnne likes to hike, spend time with friends (and her cats), eat dark chocolate, and explore new places.
Ryanne comes to the Renton Regional Community Foundation from over ten years in nonprofit program management. A native East Coaster, Ryanne graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2008 and holds a B.A. in Comparative Sociology and Anthropology. She arrives at this work through a deep commitment to social justice and a passion for equity in education access. Ryanne served as an AmeriCorps member and then remained in education-focused nonprofits, working in mentoring, health education, STEM accessibility, and college access, helping satisfy a larger goal of lowering barriers to education and opportunities for under represented young people and their families. Most recently she was the Director of Programs at College Access Now. She believes in systems change and is excited to contribute to the Renton Foundation. Ryanne is happy to have made the Puget Sound region her home and enjoys exploring all the mountains and alpine lakes have to offer with her husband and her dog.
Board of Directors
Officers
President: Angelina Benedetti, King County Library System
Vice-President: Peter Aiau, Retired, Washington Education Association
Treasurer: Bob Schroeder, Retired Controller
Secretary: Crissa Cugini, Lawyer, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Immediate Past President: Judge Bob McBeth, Retired
Directors
Representative Steve Bergquist, State Representative
Benita Horn, Consultant, Benita R. Horn & Associates
Hiroshi Nakano, VP of Value Based Initiatives at UW Medicine|Valley Medical Center
Dr. Damien Pattenaude Superintendent, Renton School District
Keri Pravitz, Amazon, Manager, Community Engagement – Bellevue | Public Policy
Dr. Linda Smith, Executive Director, SKY Urban Institute