Ben Mitchell is Project Manager for the recent investment in Tacoma by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed at strengthening our ability to improve outcomes for our youngest residents — from cradle to career.
In this role, Ben will be supporting and working in partnership with the Foundation for Tacoma Students, Graduate Tacoma Partners and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to elevate the Graduate Tacoma community-wide movement in three areas: Community Partner Capacity and Capability; Data Capacity and Capability; and Postsecondary Access and Completion.
Prior to joining the team Ben spent 4.5 years at Social Venture Partners (SVP) in Seattle where he managed their main grantmaking program and supported the work of providing capacity building and technical assistance to SVP’s grantees. Ben moved to the Northwest by way of Washington, DC where he worked in international development and spent a good chunk of time living and working overseas. His work took him to Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines and Moldova. To his great embarrassment, Ben has never been particularly good with any language other than English.
Ben grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has three younger siblings, all of whom work as educators. He lives in Seattle with his wife and a strange-looking but lovable dog. In his free time he likes to go on runs and hikes, attempt to finish any one of the stack of books he’s started in the last year, and reluctantly peck away at DIY house projects.
Feel free to reach out to Ben directly at bmitchell@graduatetacoma.org if you have any questions regarding this recent investment in Tacoma by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
About the Foundation for Tacoma Students
The Foundation for Tacoma Students is the backbone organization to the Graduate Tacoma community movement. First and foremost, we promote strategic partnerships for a stronger Tacoma. By serving as a results-based facilitator and convener, we help align organizations, institutions and individuals around positive outcomes for students. Likewise, we provide comprehensive data so community partners can build an informed and holistic support system for young people.