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Find beautiful, unique gifts at the Giving Marketplace. Photo courtesy of the Gates Foundation Discovery Center.
Editor’s note: This article was sponsored by Gates Foundation Discovery Center.
The holiday season will be here before you know it. Rather than mindlessly click, click, clicking through your shopping list, check out a marketplace that offers unique, handmade gifts and lets you discover and support great local organizations. Take the stress out of holiday shopping and head to the Giving Marketplace at the Gates Foundation Discovery Center on Dec. 6–7, 2024, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
History and mission of the Giving Marketplace
Located at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Discovery Center, the Giving Marketplace began in 2015 with the aim of creating a holiday event that continued the Giving Tuesday momentum. At the Giving Marketplace you’ll discover great organizations, all while checking everything off your holiday shopping list. Beyond making a purchase at the market, you can learn how to continue supporting participating organizations. From donations to volunteer opportunities, the vendors at the Giving Marketplace are happy to share information as you shop.
What you’ll find
At the Giving Marketplace you’ll be able to shop for gifts from over 35 vendors whose organizations support immigrants and refugees, women and girls, global health, education, the environment and much more. Joining the Giving Marketplace for the first time this year is Amrita-Seattle, a non-profit that serves children and youth globally in the U.S., India, and Nepal through education, healthcare, safe water and awareness.
Sharmila Pal, CEO of Amrita-Seattle, is “specially excited about the opportunity to connect in person [at the Giving Marketplace] with so many passionate individuals and other nonprofit organizations. It’s a fantastic chance to showcase the impactful work we’re doing at Amrita-Seattle, especially our hands-on education and youth programs in remote Himalayan regions, and to share meaningful stories of change directly with others.” Come learn more about Amrita-Seattle and pick up some of their amazing items for sale including holiday greeting cards and calendars, organic cloth tote bags, giant jigsaw floor puzzles, children’s picture books, hand-woven wool items and much more!
Other new vendors for 2024 include:
- Baya Haus: Sourced directly from local artisans, each art piece captures the intricate details and cultural significance of these timeless works, allowing us to sustain their legacy for future generations. Every print purchased with Baya Haus delivers 10 meals to children in underprivileged communities.
- Chiapas Education Project: Purchasing these items, which reflect the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through traditions, colors, and handcrafted arts, helps reduce electronic waste and expand access to technology for underserved communities.
- El Centro de la Raza: Build the beloved community through unifying all racial and economic sectors; to organize, empower, and defend the basic human rights of our most vulnerable and marginalized populations; and to bring critical consciousness, justice, dignity and equity to all the peoples of the world.
- Papaya Project: Offers comprehensive, queer-centered sexuality education and resources.
- Real Change: Exists to provide opportunity and a voice to low-income and homeless people while taking action for economic, social and racial justice.
- Salaam Cultural Museum: Dedicated to increasing the awareness and understanding of the cultures, history and people in and around the Middle and Near East, and North Africa.
Find a full list of 2024 Giving Marketplace vendors online.
Activities and more
You can do more than shop at the Giving Marketplace. Find fun activities for kids, teens and families when you visit, such as art stations where you can make your own gifts, and a variety of live performances.
If you are feeling crafty, you can try your hand at jewelry making on Saturday from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. with folks from Seattle ReCreative and discover the art of transforming everyday objects into wearable masterpieces. This activity is great for families with children 5 and older. On Friday, head to the card making station hosted by First Aid Arts and create your own beautiful holiday cards!
Cathy Wu will be creating free pet and people portraits for visitors all day on Friday and Saturday. Wu is an Asian American illustrator and designer who creates a world of playful characters. Be sure to stop by and have her draw an adorable picture of your furry (or feathered) best friend.
Visitors can also catch incredible live music:
- Sol de Noche Tango will be playing a repertoire focused on Argentine Tango and folkloric dance music from South America on Friday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Seattle-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Sheryl Wiser will be performing her soulful and rootsy music on Friday, Dec. 6, 3–3:50 p.m. and 4–4:50 p.m.
- The Mountlake Terrace High School jazz quartet is back again this year! Catch their fun performance on Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Kenyan-American singer-songwriter Naomi Wachira will perform her soulful, powerful vocals and poignant lyrics on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2–4 p.m.
If you go to the Giving Marketplace …Date and Hours: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6–7, 2024, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Location and cost: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center, 440 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle. This is a free event and all ages are welcome! Getting there: discovergates.org Parking: The Discovery Center is located across the street from the Seattle Center near the corner of 5th Ave. N. & Harrison St. Pay lots are in the surrounding area and parking fees vary. Street parking is available on neighboring streets. |
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