Amazon is again Washington state's top corporate giver

Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) is Washington state’s top corporate philanthropist for the second year in a row, according to Business Journal research.

The Seattle-based tech giant dethroned Microsoft Corp. last year and has held the title this year, thanks to the $78 million in cash grants and donations it gave to organizations and nonprofits in Washington last year. Microsoft was the state’s second-largest giver, with over $61 million in donations, the company reported to the Business Journal.

“Our commitment to the Puget Sound region goes beyond investing and creating jobs. We’re proud to partner with hundreds of local organizations to support the incredible work they do in our community,” David Zapolsky, Amazon vice president and general counsel, said in an emailed statement to the Business Journal.

Amazon has spent the past few years burnishing its image as a local corporate giver. The company has given over $20 million in cash grants and rent relief to small businesses around its downtown Seattle and Bellevue campuses over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s opened a $2 billion fund to address affordable housing and has awarded grants to local community and technical colleges to fund STEM programs.

Locally, the Amazon Housing Equity Fund has given over $500 million to developers and housing authorities in the Puget Sound region in the form of cash grants and low-rate loans. Many of those have been given to affordable housing projects in the region's historically diverse neighborhoods that are particularly at risk of displacing their residents.

The low-rate loans are not included in the giving total provided by Amazon.

Through the fund, Amazon has also announced intentions to provide funding to projects that use surplus Sound Transit land for affordable housing, promising in 2021 that it would put up $100 million for the effort. The company announced similar plans for other cities where it has a growing presence, including the Nashville and Washington, D.C., metropolitan areas.

“From helping families experiencing homelessness, to supporting local developers of color building more affordable housing, to mobilizing our employees to clean up local parks — we will continue working to build stronger communities here in the Puget Sound region and around the world,” Zapolsky said.

Amazon was among 75 companies ranked by the Business Journal based on corporate philanthropy in 2022. The company also accounted for over 28% of the collective $274 million donated in 2022 by the 75 companies.