Why Partnerships Matter
We build with community, not just for it. Our collaborators help keep resource information accurate, accessible, and grounded in lived experience, especially for neighbors facing barriers in King County.
Core Partners
Raft Foundation — Fiscal Sponsor
Emerald City Beacon is a fiscally sponsored project of Raft Foundation (a 501(c)(3)). Raft provides the nonprofit umbrella that lets us operate responsibly and accept tax-deductible donations while our own exemption is pending, along with finance administration and values-aligned guidance.
Real Change — Community Partner
Real Change’s iconic Emerald City Guide is our namesake. Their vendor-led accountability model and justice-forward journalism keep us grounded in lived experience. We adopt their practices of listening sessions, feedback loops, and shared decision-making, so our tools reflect street-level realities, not assumptions.
Streetlives NYC — Technology Partner
Streetlives builds digital tools co-designed with people who’ve lived the systems we aim to improve. We collaborate on peer-validated data practices, accessibility, and product ideas that center real user needs.
Collaborators & Friends
We’re grateful for the shared momentum and ideas from these community groups:
- Open Referral (HSDS standards community): We align our data model and exchange practices with the Human Services Data Specification (HSDS) to improve interoperability and portability of resource data.
- Local service providers & mutual aid groups: Ongoing conversations, feedback, and referrals help keep our information rooted in what people actually need.
How to Partner with Us
Have a shared goal, dataset, or idea? We welcome collaboration across community groups, nonprofits, and local businesses.
Email [email protected] with a short note on:
- Who you are and how you serve King County communities
- What collaboration could look like (e.g., data sharing, co-design, outreach)
- Any access, language, or privacy considerations we should plan for