KING COUNTY PLAY EQUITY COALITION
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Mission Statement
King County Play Equity Coalition is a network of organizations dedicated to challenging and changing systems to shift power and center physical activity as a key part of health and youth development.
About This Cause
The King County Play Equity Coalition (KCPEC) is a nonprofit collaborative based in King County, Washington. It was founded in 2019 to address disparities in access to play, physical activity, and sports for youth—especially those from historically underserved communities, including youth of color and youth from low-income households. By 2025, KCPEC includes more than 140 member organizations spanning nonprofits, government agencies, school districts, healthcare entities, and professional sports teams. In 2024, the Coalition became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit. KCPEC’s mission is to eliminate systemic barriers to access and participation in youth play, physical activity, and outdoor recreation. The coalition’s work focuses on long-term systems change, shared leadership, and community-driven strategies that promote equitable outcomes for marginalized youth. Its vision is that all young people in King County, particularly those furthest from opportunity, experience the developmental, health, and social benefits of play as part of a thriving life. The coalition operates through a set of core values that guide its work. These include centering communities of color in leadership and decision-making, treating play as a vital element of childhood and youth development, mobilizing collective action across sectors, addressing systemic racism and historic exclusion in recreation systems, and creating a sustainable, community-rooted structure for long-term collaboration. KCPEC employs several strategic approaches to achieve its mission. First, it organizes a diverse network of member organizations through a coalition-building model that encourages shared learning, mutual support, and co-leadership. Member organizations include public agencies, schools, park departments, nonprofits, and businesses, all of which are welcomed through an open application process with a sliding-scale membership dues structure to ensure accessibility, particularly for BIPOC-led or small-budget groups. Policy advocacy is another key area of focus. KCPEC has taken an active role in supporting legislation and public policy that expand equitable access to play. A major milestone was the successful passage of a Washington state law in 2024 mandating at least 30 minutes of daily recess for students in grades K–5. The coalition also advocates for local policies to improve field access, reduce cost barriers, ensure transportation options, and provide multilingual and culturally relevant programming. KCPEC invests heavily in community-led solutions. It supports the leadership of grassroots organizations, youth, and families most impacted by barriers to play. This is done through storytelling initiatives, stipends for participation, and capacity-building support that uplifts the work of partners embedded in their communities. The coalition also values data and learning as tools for change. It partners with academic institutions and local researchers to gather disaggregated data on disparities in physical activity, access to facilities, and program participation. These insights inform advocacy, program design, and collective decision-making across the network. KCPEC also convenes its members and the broader public through events and programs that promote play and connection. These include large-scale gatherings like Play Day, a community celebration with free play and activities for families, the Pro Sports Sampling Camp where youth try out different sports in partnership with local teams, the Corporate Pickleball fundraiser, and the Outdoor Play Equity Convening, which brings together leaders advancing inclusive access to outdoor spaces. To carry out this work, KCPEC organizes its efforts into Action Teams—member-led working groups that focus on specific issue areas or populations. Current teams include Swim Equity, Soccer Equity, Outdoor Recreation, Advocacy, Shared Learning, and Youth Action. These teams are supported by KCPEC staff and co-created by participating members, allowing for decentralized leadership and responsive action. KCPEC’s impact to date includes the successful passage of state-level recess legislation, direct support for BIPOC-led programming, widespread community engagement through events, and a growing network of cross-sector leaders actively collaborating for change. Its model of collective action emphasizes adaptive leadership, grassroots participation, and systems-level transformation. The coalition is led by a small staff team that provides strategic guidance and backbone support. The Executive Director, Tracy, brings a multiracial background (Filipina/Native/White) and deep experience in movement-building and narrative change. Staff members coordinate Action Teams, oversee daily operations, develop partnerships, raise funds, and ensure community-centered implementation. KCPEC’s budget in recent years has ranged from $350,000 to $400,000 annually, funded through foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, membership dues, individual donors, and event-based fundraising. The coalition emphasizes values-aligned funding and long-term sustainability while maintaining low-barrier access to programs and leadership opportunities. A commitment to equity is central to KCPEC’s structure and strategy. All of its programs, policies, and leadership practices are grounded in the belief that racial equity must be embedded in every level of the system. The coalition prioritizes multilingual outreach, supports cultural relevancy in programming, and invests in leadership development for those most impacted by inequities. Opportunities to get involved with KCPEC include joining as a member organization, participating in or leading an Action Team, attending public events, collaborating on programs or research, or contributing financially through donations or sponsorships. In short, the King County Play Equity Coalition is creating a youth-centered, racially just ecosystem where play is a right, not a privilege. By mobilizing community leadership, influencing policy, and building collaborative infrastructure, KCPEC is transforming systems to ensure every child in King County—regardless of race, income, or geography—can move, connect, and thrive through play.