40%
Washington state is leading the nation in reducing youth homelessness.
We’ve proven what works. Now we accelerate what’s possible.
Washington reduced the number of young people experiencing homelessness by almost half from 2016 – 2022.
10,000
Fewer young people experiencing homelessness in Washington.
34%
Graduation rates for students experiencing homelessness have increased by over a third.
Behind every number is a young person with opportunity back within reach.
Washington has made incredible progress not because of one institution or program, but because something bigger is taking shape: a system built on public-private partnerships, on data, and on listening to young people and acting on their insights.
Ending youth homelessness in our state is no longer a question of possibility. It is a question of how fast we choose to get there.
Getting out of homelessness gave me the stability to engage in therapy, access consistent medical care, and gain career aspirations. I and countless others would not be here today without these resources.”
Alice
Spokane
About us
The WA Acceleration Fund
The WA Acceleration Fund was created to build on strategies that are already working to reduce youth homelessness and accelerate their impact to transform the lives of more young people.
We tackle youth homelessness
at the root.
With the system in place, additional investment powers this momentum forward, ensuring more young people, in more communities, find stability before crisis takes hold. $5 million annually is what will get us there. These funds will go toward five proven strategies that we have had nearly a decade to test and innovate:
01
A complete statewide response
Today, young people can access services in 37 of 39 Washington counties. One of our goals is a coordinated plan for youth homelessness in all 39 counties. We’re almost there!
02
Flexible funding when it matters most
Increase access to the Homeless Prevention and Diversion Fund (HPDF) so every young person can access quick and low-cost intervention when needed. HPDF has a 93% success rate but only exists in 10 counties and is not available in King County.
03
Better data, smarter decisions
Investments in research, evaluation, and data infrastructure will help communities understand the full scope of youth homelessness and respond more effectively. Real-time data helps local leaders see what’s working, spot gaps, and adapt quickly, helping young people get timely and reliable support.
04
Youth-led advocacy and leadership
Sustained progress depends on smart policy and strong leadership from young people, with their experiences and ideas shaping solutions and driving real change.
05
Building capacity and sustainability through community collaboration
Scale the Built for Zero model to help communities identify and respond to every young person in crisis. This includes partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, youth organizations, and faith communities.
Who We Are
The Schultz Family Foundation, Raikes Foundation, and Campion Foundation partnered to launch the Acceleration Fund.
Our approach is grounded in a simple idea: lasting progress comes from partnership. Over the past decade, we worked alongside state leaders, service providers, and young people themselves to redesign the systems that prevent and respond to homelessness. By combining research, advocacy and collaboration, we’re showing what’s possible when philanthropy helps connect the dots across sectors.
“When we looked into the reasons young people ended up without a home, we saw that there were several lanes in which philanthropy could help: researching causes, coordinating data, tracking success, piloting new approaches, educating policy makers, building statewide community capacity, etc. As we coordinated efforts within philanthropy, we accelerated our implementation of new ideas and leveraged increased government support that could invest in proven success. We can’t stop now. If we close this gap and keep young people safe as they navigate the challenging terrain of just growing up, we are stopping the cycle of overall homelessness.”
– Tricia Raikes, the Raikes Foundation
“I have volunteered in many youth shelters over the years, and have been continually impressed by the wisdom and the stories these young people have shared with me and what would have kept them from needing to seek shelter in the first place. They know what works, what they need, and it is usually a lot simpler than traditional government programs and structures. We need to trust and respect their voices to tell us what they need.”
– Sheri Schultz, the Schultz Family Foundation
“Early one morning I was swinging by my office on the way to the airport when a white van pulled up behind me. A dozen sleepy teenagers with backpacks tumbled out. And then the van, which had the state juvenile justice logo, pulled away. These kids had just been released to the streets. I couldn’t believe it. This is how I learned that approximately 28% of young people exiting state systems—justice, foster care, behavioral health programs—exited directly into homelessness.”
– Sonya Campion, the Campion Foundation