Allen Family Philanthropies Funds Pilot of National Program Combating Connection Crisis

Grant supports the U.S. Chamber of Connection’s Seattle chapter to strengthen social infrastructure and community well-being

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Allen Family Philanthropies announces a $250,000 grant to support the Seattle chapter of the U.S. Chamber of Connection, a national institution that is addressing the growing epidemic of social disconnection. The investment funds the first year of a pilot from the Seattle Chamber of Connection to make social connection a measurable, actionable, and sustainable civic priority.

The program is grounded in the Chamber of Connection’s “Six Points of Connection,” a new research-based framework for strengthening social bonds. The six points outline pathways to foster deeper connection, including neighborhood contact, community of play, community of identity, one-on-one relationships, third spaces, and community service.

“This pilot allows us to respond to post-pandemic isolation, leverage Seattle’s strong arts sector, and test a scalable model while public attention and cross-sector interest in rebuilding connection are high,” said Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the U.S. Chamber of Connection and Executive Director of the Seattle Chamber of Connection. “We want to position Seattle as the nation’s leading city for rebuilding social trust and connection.”

As communities emerge from the social disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and people everywhere navigate an increasing reliance on technology and too much screen time, this pilot arrives at a pivotal moment. By investing in systems that foster connection, Allen Family Philanthropies aims to not only address immediate social isolation but also establish a long-term framework for healthier, more resilient communities.

Seattle provides a compelling environment for this pilot. Often associated with social isolation—commonly referred to as the “Seattle Freeze”—the city ranks among the lowest in the nation for regular social interaction and welcoming newcomers. At the same time, its dynamic arts and culture scene creates a unique opportunity to test solutions for rebuilding connection.

“Social connection is not a luxury. It is a fundamental human need and a cornerstone of thriving communities. At Allen Family Philanthropies, we talk often about community engagement—because we’ve seen that when more people get involved in the places they live, everyone benefits,” said Lara Littlefield, Executive Director for Allen Family Philanthropies. “What I appreciate about the Chamber of Connection is that it isn’t just a nice idea; it’s designed to work. This program elevates in-person interaction as a national priority, embedding connection into our civic infrastructure. This marks an important step toward ensuring that everyone in our country feels seen, supported, and connected.”

The Seattle Chamber of Connection will implement a civic network model designed to strengthen community bonds and increase shared accountability across neighborhoods, employers, and cultural institutions. Central to this effort are two flagship campaigns launched in 2026:

• Seattle Welcome Night is a monthly, citywide newcomer orientation co-hosted with the Mayor’s Office and local cultural venues. Each event brings together new residents for an evening of connection, featuring interactive programming, facilitated small-group conversations, and personalized “connection roadmaps” to help participants build meaningful relationships and navigate their new community.
• Best Day Ever is a series of seven neighborhood events—one in each Seattle City Council District—co-produced with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Designed as immersive, one-day civic experiences, these events celebrate neighborhood identity through service, movement, learning, gathering, connection, and play, offering residents accessible entry points to reconnect with their communities.

The initiative builds on groundwork laid in 2025, including the launch of the Seattle Welcome Committee and partnerships with major employers, cultural institutions, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and others. These early efforts demonstrated strong demand for structured opportunities to engage in social connection.

“Our research shows that most Americans want connection but are continually running into barriers that make it hard to access and harder to sustain connection,” said Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Connection. “By amplifying local leaders and programs and creating structured opportunities to engage with each other, we can rebuild the connective tissue of our communities. This will help solve many of today’s most pressing challenges such as trust, public health, and socially thriving.”

Results and learnings from this Seattle pilot will help inform the establishment of additional U.S. Chamber of Connection chapters in cities across the country.

About Allen Family Philanthropies:

Founded in 1988 by Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, Allen Family Philanthropies (formerly known as the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation) invests in communities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond to strengthen arts and culture, empower the next generation of changemakers, and support a global network of partners working to advance biodiversity and human well-being. Learn more at www.allenphilanthropies.org.