Washington State Bar Foundation

🎉 THANK YOU FOR GIVING! Though we're amazed, we're not surprised by the generous ways you showed up this month and gave to support Manzanita House and our immigrant community. We cannot thank you enough! If you'd still like to give, today is the last day to double your impact: https://buff.ly/elFl6FS We've said it many times and we're saying it again - we couldn't do this work without you. 🫶🏽 Happy New Year! #thankyou #happynewyear #donate #endofyearcampaign #immigrantsupport #supportimmigrants #refugeesupport #supportrefugees #nonprofit #nonprofitorganization

Thank you to everyone who contributed this month and this year! We are so grateful for your help in delivering on our mission of economic and racial justice with by, and for marginalized communities, particularly those directly impacted by the system of mass incarceration. The year 2025 has been like no other in our lifetime. Among other things, we unexpectedly lost 60% of our budget due to a last-minute legislative cut to the budget of our partner, the Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid. We had to make difficult decisions to reduce our staff and pull back from some of our work. We also were incredibly fortunate, because a few partners stepped in to help us recoup more than half of that $600,000! These partners are lifesavers. But we haven't made up the whole deficit yet. Not by a long shot. Heading into the New Year, we remain resolute that our legal empowerment movement, i.e., walking with people on their justice journey to liberation from mass incarceration, is viable, impactful, and sustainable. Walk with us. Walk with our community. Your support matters now more than ever. https://lnkd.in/gyZABfx7 #legalempowerment #visualizejustice #justiceforall #walkwithus

I've not seen many people talking about the changes to U.S.P.S. postmark rules that are going into effect on December 24, but they will impact a large number of donors who make their charitable gifts in the final week of the year. Under the new rule, machine postmarks will be added at regional distribution centers NOT local drop-off points. This means that there could be a several day delay between someone dropping their check in the mail and it receiving the postmark that determines whether it can be counted as a charitable contribution in 2025 or 2026. A donor who drops their check in the mail on December 31 won't be able to claim that gift in 2025 if it ends up postmarked January 2. They could wait in line at the post office to request a manual postmark or purchase postage directly from a postal worker, but most donors likely haven't heard of this new rule (I hadn't until just this week!) and who wants to wait in a long line during a busy mailing season? Nonprofits would do well to communicate with their donors—especially those who typically give large gifts via mailed checks in the final weeks of the year. Let folks know their options if they want to claim the gift on their 2025 taxes, remind them to get their check in the mail early, and use it as an opportunity for one more point of connection this holiday season.

What a joy to rediscover my hobbies post law school! I started this quilt in 2020 and then it collected dust for three years. After the bar exam, I turned my sewing machine back on and have enjoyed immensely every minute spent finishing it over the last few months. I am loving my new position at the Court of Appeals and I’m thankful it allows me a bit of spare time. “Enchanted Garden”: Pattern and fabrics by Jason Yentner, In the Beginning Fabrics; kit by Shabby Fabrics