Since opening its doors in 1997, the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project (FCSNP) has grown into Washington’s first free-standing, high-volume clinic devoted exclusively to feline sterilization. Operating primarily from Lynnwood—and in partnership with a Renton satellite clinic—the nonprofit has altered more than 164,000 cats spanning 23 counties, preventing millions of unwanted litters and dramatically reducing shelter intakes. Guided by its mission to “save lives through prevention,” FCSNP delivers safe, humane surgeries while championing a community-based approach to population control.

At the clinic, feral and free-roaming cats are sterilized completely free of charge, receiving a rabies vaccine, brief health exam, abdominal tattoo, and the signature ear-tip that signals the cat has been fixed. Companion cats benefit as well: spay/neuter prices are kept to a modest $55 for females and $45 for males, with à-la-carte microchips, core vaccines, and parasite treatments available at minimal cost. For caregivers taking part in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), FCSNP rents humane traps for a refundable deposit and provides hands-on guidance, ensuring that even first-time trappers can participate confidently in this life-saving work.

FCSNP’s influence extends far beyond its operating rooms. Named a National Mentoring Organization by PetSmart Charities in 2006, the team openly shares its efficient “clinic-in-a-box” model with shelters nationwide and abroad, proving that high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter is both replicable and scalable. Although each surgery costs the clinic just over $130 to perform, a robust network of private donors and dedicated volunteers keeps the tables turning and the anesthesia machines humming. By coupling surgical excellence with mentorship and public education, FCSNP demonstrates that ending feline homelessness is not an aspiration—it is a practical, community-powered reality.

Born from the simple idea that forgotten jewelry can spark real change, Bright Beginnings—The Generosity Fund’s flagship program—channels the proceeds from donated gold, silver, and gems directly into childhood nutrition programs across Washington. By recycling these “small treasures,” the initiative aims to underwrite one million nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for the nearly 300,000 Washington children who face food insecurity each year. Every necklace, earring, or broken chain mailed in through the Fund’s free donation kits becomes new fuel for kitchens, pantries, and farm-to-school pipelines that help children start the day nourished and ready to learn.

Impact goes well beyond the plate. Converted jewelry proceeds fund fresh, whole ingredients; upgrade outdated kitchen equipment; and provide professional development so cafeteria teams can adopt best practices (like family-style dining) that instill lifelong healthy habits. Partnerships with local farms keep menus seasonal and budgets lean, while grants to early-learning centers pay for garden plots, nutrition curricula, and parent workshops—proving that smart food policy and early education can reinforce each other.

For donors, the process is as transparent as it is meaningful. The Generosity Fund is a Washington-based 501(c)(3); each contribution receives a fair-market-value receipt that qualifies for a federal income-tax deduction. Annual impact reports detail how many meals were served, which kitchens were modernized, and what fresh produce reached classrooms—so supporters see exactly how their old jewelry creates bright beginnings for kids statewide.