About Us

The Market Foundation was established in 1982 to support the Market's human service agencies for low-income and elderly residents of downtown Seattle -- Pike Market Child Care & Preschool, Pike Market Medical Clinic, Pike Market Senior Center, and the Downtown Food Bank. Thanks to the continued support of our generous donors and dedicated volunteers, the Market Foundation has provided more than $16 million to date to these agencies. Watch this video to meet a few of the clients the Market Foundation and its sister agencies have helped:

 

The Market Foundation also supports the Market's heritage programs, public improvements and repairs to the Market's historic buildings, developments of new low-income housing in the Market, and programs that assist the Market's farmers.

Mascot

Rachel, our life-size bronze piggy bank, is the Market's most famous resident and also one of its best fundraisers. She has been "bringing home the bacon" since 1986, and has raised nearly $200,000 to date.

On August 17, 2011, Rachel turned 25 years old and was treated to a day of exciting surprises and celebrations, including a mini-Rachel birthday cake and flash mob performance. Check out this KING 5 TV story about Rachel's special day.

Rachel was created by Georgia Gerber, a sculptor from Whidbey Island, Washington. Rachel weighs in at 550 pounds and was named after a real 750-pound pig who won the 1985 Island County Fair.

Legend has it that if you rub Rachel's snout and make a donation, you'll have good luck. In that case, Rachel's brought good luck to visitors from across the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia and beyond!