Washington Economic Justice Alliance

POVERTY IN WA

Information about poverty in WA, the need for the plan.

Resources for people in poverty currently.

About

 

No one person or entity can end poverty alone. That’s why we’re working together. The Washington Economic Justice Alliance is a multi-sector collaboration responsible for implementing the 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty.

The Alliance is led with the expertise and dedication of people with lived experience of poverty, state agencies and tribal partners, and organizations serving communities across Washington.

Explore the full list of active alliance members.

the alliance ignites change through:

Alliance Groups

From 2017 to 2021, the Washington State government created several groups to address poverty. The Alliance aligns these efforts under one umbrella, working together to create policy, programs and funding changes that will bring all Washingtonians to reach economic well-being.

Legislative-Executive Task Force

This task force was created in state law to coordinate Legislative Branch and Executive Branch actions on poverty reduction, as well as the WorkFirst program. Membership includes state senators and representatives from both major parties, as well as the Governor’s office and executive branch agencies.

The Community Advisory Council advises the Task Force.

Meetings are open to all. Join us!

Community Advisory Council

Formerly known as the Poverty Reduction Workgroup, the council is comprised of and is led by Washingtonians with lived experience of poverty and representatives from community partner organizations. They work with state agency staff to provide strategy guidance and accountability to the state leaders implementing the 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty.

Express your interest in joining the Advisory Council.

Governor’s Subcabinet on Intergenerational Poverty

The subcabinet convenes the leaders of state agencies working to develop policy, program, and funding change toward achieving economic well-being for all Washingtonians. They advise Governor Ferguson on executive action that could be taken to increase economic well-being for people across the state.

Friends of the Alliance

Friends of the Alliance are aligned individuals and organizations who share the Vision of the Washington Economic Justice Alliance. They play an essential role in fostering connections, amplifying impact, and championing the goals of the 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty. They meet quarterly as a Community of Practice for colleagues across the Alliance to share learnings and best practices.

Become a Friend of the Alliance!

Aligned Initiatives

The Alliance partners community-based organizations, people with lived experience of poverty, tribal nations, and local governments who are implementing the 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty.

Together, we’re testing & scaling innovative solutions to address the root causes of poverty.

Explore highlighted Aligned Initiatives.

Ambassadors

The Alliance Ambassadors are a group of experts with lived experience of poverty who work to amplify the reach, effectiveness, and sustainability of the 10-Year Plan’s strategies, directly contributing to the overarching goal of dismantling poverty in Washington State. They serve as liaisons, educators, advocates, and connectors within their communities.

We envision a Washington free of poverty and full of abundant opportunity, where everyone can thrive and experience joy, belonging, and dignity.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to advance policy, program and funding changes that ensure every Washingtonian can meet their basic needs, fully contribute their talents, and pass well-being on to future generations.

Taking Aligned Action Toward Economic Justice

The Washington Economic Justice Alliance wrote the 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty, and now we’re working to implement it by aligning initiatives across the state toward economic justice & well-being.

Law and Policy Development

We unite Alliance members to design and support legislative initiatives that make measurable, population-level advances toward ending poverty, based on the 8 Strategies of the 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty. We time our efforts to align with the state budget and policy cycle.

Partnering with Community

We partner with community organizations to connect them with state and philanthropic resources so they can test and scale recommendations and strategies in the 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty.

Learn more about our partnerships to pilot basic income and the community assembly model in Washington.

Statewide Alignment & Tracking

The Alliance measures our contributions and progress toward creating a Washington free of poverty where everyone can experience joy, belonging, and well-being.

AS SEEN IN

Building Civic Assemblies: A Collaborative Approach in Washington State

Poverty Increased in 2023 as Prices Rose and Pandemic Aid Programs Expired

WA intercepts millions in child support for low-income families