Ginger Ackerley Endowment for Children’s Programming

Ginger Ackerley first moved to Seattle with her family in 1975. Her husband Barry Ackerley purchased an outdoor advertising company, which over the course of two decades grew into a national multimedia company with holdings in outdoor advertising, airport advertising, television, radio and professional sports.

Not knowing anyone at the time of the move, Ginger quickly engaged herself in community volunteerism. For over 20 years she volunteered for a large number of non-profit organizations.

Two of her past leadership positions were Chair of the Board of Arts Fund as well as Chair of the Board of the Pacific Science Center during the capital campaign for the Boeing IMAX Theater.

Ginger soon shifted her focus from volunteering to philanthropy. She started Ackerley Corporate Giving for The Ackerley Group, her late husband’s public company, where 6% of gross revenues were allocated to charitable organizations in communities where the company did business.

As her husband’s company grew and entered the arena of professional sports, Ginger spearheaded bringing the WNBA’s Seattle Storm to Seattle. She worked tirelessly with the NBA for this expansion team that now has multiple championships.

Along with business, her philanthropy never tired. In 1997, the Ackerley family started their own private family foundation, which focuses on supporting organizations that improve and enhance the education of young learners.

It was important to Ginger to support The Seattle Public Library and the Endowment for Children’s Programming as it improves literacy skills by providing important educational programs for children and families in our community.