50+ Businesses Join Pearl Jam to Call for Shared Strategy to Fight Homelessness in Seattle Region

More than 90 Seattle area businesses have joined legendary band Pearl Jam in their effort to fight against homelessness in the Seattle area. More than $11 million has already been raised, exceeding initial goals, and all kinds of special promotions and initiatives have been happening all over the city this week to help the cause.

Now, more than 50 Seattle business leaders are expressing their commitment toward continuing the effort well after the band plays its final encore at Safeco Field on Friday, August 10, with a letter calling for a “shared strategy to fight homelessness.”

Perhaps alluding to business community’s strong opposition to the contentious “head tax” that would have taxed large businesses as a way to fund affordable housing and homelessness initiatives — which was passed and later repealed by the Seattle City Council — the letter says, “In the past, some of us have stated what were opposed to. We have not been clear about what we support.”

Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard said it’s important for the business community to be involved in the effort to fight homelessness in a region that is now home to more than 12,000 people experiencing homelessness, the third largest such population in the country.

There is simply no way to address homelessness in our region without the work of all of us,” said Gossard. “This is not an issue that government, nonprofits, philanthropy or individuals alone can solve. We need everyone and that includes the business community. Businesses have innovative ideas, resources and employees eager to be engaged. Weve been thrilled by the role Seattles business community has played in the Home Shows. Were looking forward to continuing the collaboration as we work toward a shared strategy to fighting homelessness.

Read the full text of the letter, along with the more than 50 signees — including leaders from Expedia, Vulcan, Alaska Airlines, the Seattle Mariners, NHL Seattle, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nordstrom, and many more — below:

Business for shared strategy to fight homelessness

As business leaders, we care deeply about our city and the most challenging issues it faces. As employers and philanthropists, many of us are playing an active role in fighting homelessness in King County. Were committed to doing much more.

Through Pearl Jams Home Shows Initiative, we saw the power of what we can do when we band together.

Were standing together now with elected leaders, local residents, advocates on the front lines, and those experiencing homelessness to chart a path forward to make our economy one that both thrives and holds a place for everyone.

In the past, some of us have stated what were opposed to. We have not been clear about what we support. Were committed to one coordinated effort that optimizes the roles of government, nonprofits, and business to ensure that everyone in King County has a roof over their heads.

What will it take?

• One shared plan that explicitly outlines the strategies well prioritize, policies well pursue, and resources well allocate, as well as the metrics that tell us if were succeeding.
  

• Clear leadership and accountability from all of us working in service of a shared plan, including our elected officials.
  

• A larger financial commitment from all of usfunding for organizations that have a proven track record of success in working across populations to both prevent and move people out of homelessness, along with funding for new, creative and efficient solutions.
  

• Engagement of the community. We need to continue to raise awareness throughout the community and engage and activate our employees and customers.

We can do thisbut we have to do it as one community working together.

Sincerely,

Mark Okerstrom
President and CEO
Expedia Group

H.S. Wright III
Chairman & Founder
Seattle Hospitality Group

R. Guy Hudson
MD, CEO
Swedish Health Services

Neal Myrick
Global Head
Tableau Foundation

Ethan and Angela Stowell
Owners
Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Bill Hilf
CEO
Vulcan Inc.

Diana Birkett Rakow
Vice President, External Relations
Alaska Airlines

Tod Leiweke
President and CEO
NHL Seattle

Larry Cohen
CEO
Gates Ventures

Scott Redman
CEO
Sellen Construction

Manny Chao
Founder
Georgetown Brewing Company

Jennifer Shea
CEO and Founder
Trophy Cupcakes & Party

Mickey Smith
President
Martin Smith Inc.

David Bley
Director, Pacific Northwest
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Tricia and Jeff Raikes
Co-founders
Raikes Foundation

Jeff Trisler
President
Live Nation Seattle

Connie Ballmer
Co-Founder
Ballmer Group

Rob Glaser
Founder, Chairman and CEO
RealNetworks

Jill Wood
President
Windermere Real Estate

Rod Hochman
MD, President and CEO
Providence St. Joseph Health

Molly Moon Neitzel
Founder and CEO
Molly Moons Homemade Ice Cream

Leslie Scott
Program Director
107.7 The End

Lee Rhodes
Owner
glassybaby

Trey Busch
Partner and Winemaker
Sleight of Hand Cellars and Underground Wine Project

Robert B. Gilbertson, Jr.
President/CEO
YMCA of Greater Seattle

Linda Derschang
Founder and CEO
The Derschang Group

Dave Richards
Vice President, Programming and Operations
KISW

Pamela Hinckley
CEO
Tom Douglas Restaurants

Rachel Marshall
Founder
Rachels Ginger Beer

Chad Mackay
CEO
Fire & Vine Hospitality

Travis Rosenthal
Owner
Sand Point Grill, Tango, Rumba

Renee Erickson
Owner
Sea Creatures

Tom Mara
Executive Director
KEXP

Thierry Rautureau
The Chef In The Hat
Luc / Loulay

Linda Di Lello Morton & Tamara Murphy
Owners
terra plata

Brian McAndrews
Chairman
United Way of King County

Tony Mestres
President & CEO
Seattle Foundation

Matthew Stubbs
Owner
Big Chickie

Jennifer Teunon
Executive Director
Medina Foundation

Dave LaSarte-Meeks
Executive Director
Vadon Foundation

Rich Fox
Operating Owner
Weimann-Maclise Family of Restaurants

John Stanton
Chairman and Managing Partner
Seattle Mariners

Brian Robinson
Managing Partner
Northlink Investment Group

Jon Fine
President & CEO
United Way of King County

Joel VandenBrink
Founder, CEO
Two Beers Brewing Co, Seattle Cider Company & Sound Craft Seltzer Co.

David Blandford
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs
Visit Seattle

Daniel Pitasky
Executive Director
Schultz Family Foundation

Leslie Thomson
Owner
Dream Dinners

Herb Gould
CEO
Anthonys Restaurants

Pete Nordstrom
Co-President
Nordstrom, Inc.

Dan Black
President
Zeeks Pizza

Jennifer and Justin Stiefel
President, CEO and Founders
Heritage Distilling Co.

John Hoyt
Founder
Pyramid Communications