Investing in Southeast Seattle for 33 years!

Founded in 1975, SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) is a not-for-profit community development corporation. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Southeast Seattle by creating partnerships and inspiring community investments in housing, arts, and economic development. We believe that making a difference in our community is a lifelong commitment.

SEEDArts began in 1977 as a modest undertaking that recognized the role of the arts within a community and how the arts could be used to build cultural awareness and understanding.SEEDArts operates the Columbia City Gallery, the Rainier Valley Cultural Center and the Public Art Program.

Donate now to the 2008 SEEDArts Annual Fund!

In the early 1970's, Southeast Seattle became the city's preferred location for all subsidized housing. Many Southeast neighborhoods were without basic amenities such as sidewalks and curbing. The closest medical clinics were a long and inconvenient bus ride away for many Southeast residents.

In 1974, a group of business owners, residents, and community activists met and decided to find a way to turn the decline around. They started by creating a council with representatives from 30 local community and nonprofit organizations. In 1975, the council formed the SouthEast Effective Development. The mission of the new organization was to improve the quality of Southeast Seattle neighborhoods, businesses, and public institutions.

Since that beginning, SEED has brought over $200 million into Rainier Valley communities for economic development, affordable housing and arts programs and projects.