What makes a healthy community

The needs of any community are vast, layered and intricate. In its report “A Healthy Community: Strategies for Effective Giving,” The Seattle Foundation outlines King County's greatest needs and identifies areas where donors can leverage the biggest possible impact. As the Foundation’s communications partner of 10 years, Pyramid produced the Foundation’s first report on the overall health of King County in 2006.

Working closely with the Foundation, we laid the groundwork of the 2009 report by holding a series of interviews and expert focus groups. Next, we helped synthesize the findings of that research with a vast collection of data from local and national studies. A telephone survey helped link the big picture with specific perceptions of need within King County.

From there, our team of strategists, editors, writers, designers, photographers and artists worked with the Foundation to produce the 100-page report. Highlighting seven elements of a healthy community, the final full-color publication presents an overarching assessment of King County—and underscores three key areas within each element where donors can give to leverage the greatest possible impact. The report also features seven columns from local and national thought leaders about what it means to nurture the wellbeing of a community.   

“A Healthy Community” was published in June 2009.