David and Cathy Habib Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The David and Cathy Habib Foundation supports the activities of the Jewish Federation of Seattle. It also earmarks funds for education, youth, human services, and environmental organizations.
IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.
Since leaving Microsoft, Habib has become increasingly involved in the nonprofit space. His work with Social Venture Partners has been a way from him to connect with new organizations, which is something grantseekers—in the Pacific Northwest especially—should keep in mind.
PROFILE: Established in 2001, the David and Cathy Habib Foundation was established by software engineer couple David Habib and his wife Cathy. David was a senior software design engineer and development manager at Microsoft Corporation, where he has worked on Windows, applications, and development tools. Cathy, meanwhile, worked for Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft. The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits available information on its grantmaking priorities and activities. David and Cathy Habib Foundation supports the activities of the Jewish Federation of Seattle. It also earmarks funds for education, youth, human services, and environmental organizations.
Grants for Jewish Causes
David and Cathy Habib Foundation is a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of Seattle, which it regularly funds. Other grantees have included Temple B’Nai Torah, Jewish Family Services, and The Union for Reform Judaism - Camp Kalsman.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
The Habibs support their mutual alma mater University of Washington, where they’re both 1986 alums. The university is home to the David & Cathy Habib Endowed Scholarship, which provides assistance to undergraduate students in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering. Cathy, who also has a computer science and engineering background, serves on the Bellevue Schools Foundation as a community advocate for educational programs and funding and works for Eastside Pathways, a “collective action nonprofit focused on improving educational outcomes for all children on the eastside.” The Habibs have supported Rainier Scholars, Thrive Washington, Bellevue College Foundation, Youth Eastside Services, and Students for Education Reform. The Habibs are strongly involved with Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS), and made their first gift to PEPS in 1995.
Grants for Community Development and Housing
Habib is partner in Social Venture Partners, which “connects people who want to give back and the nonprofits that make change possible—cultivating effective philanthropists and strong organizations that deliver greater impact, together.” The couple support the organization as well as United Way of King County, United Way of Island County, and Hopelink, which “has served homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities in King and Snohomish counties.”
Grants for the Environment and Climate Change
Grantees have included Washington Environmental Council and Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance. Habib has also been involved with Climate Solutions.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $1,000 to $60,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation spent around $344,000. Past grantees include Jewish Family Services, Rainier Scholars, Thrive Washington, United Way of King County, United Way of Island County, and Washington Environmental Council .
The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
David and Cathy Habib Foundation
c/o Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
2033 Sith Avenue, Suite 810
Seattle, WA 98121
