Rooted in Community: Partnering with WA529 to Empower Future Generations

with Jacquelyne Ferrardo, Washington Student Achievement Council, WA529 Education Savings Plan Division

Session Title: Rooted in Community: Partnering with WA529 to Empower Future Generations. Uniting mission-driven organizations and WA529 to invest in students, strengthen communities, and build brighter futures. This session explores how collaboration and shared purpose can deepen our collective impact on students’ educational journeys. Partnerships between nonprofits, foundations, community-based organizations and state programs like WA529, create a stronger foundation for student success. This session invites nonprofit and foundation leaders, scholarship administrators, and community partners to discover how collaboration with WA529 can strengthen scholarship programs and extend their reach. Participants will learn how aligning their scholarship initiatives with WA529 can simplify administration, enhance donor trust, and provide long-term, flexible support that empowers students to pursue higher education with greater financial confidence. By connecting mission-driven organizations with innovative tools and approaches, this session highlights how shared investment in education can advance equity and opportunity across Washington communities. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to root our efforts in mission and values while growing programs that create lasting educational impact. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how strategic partnerships and innovative funding solutions can transform the way scholarships are managed and sustained—ensuring every dollar invested in a student’s future continues to grow, flourish, and strengthen the educational ecosystem for generations to come.