In the beautiful state of Washington, there's an air of intention that is deeply engrained in stewardship and built into how the region grows, governs, and shows up for itself. Across the state, decades of environmental policy, land-use planning, and community-centered investment have reinforced a simple expectation: growth should be intentional, and success should benefit more than just the bottom line.

In Bellevue, that intention is taking root in a growing number of businesses that are giving back to the community. From cafés to major employers, you’ll find everything from cafés and restaurants to major companies building giving into how they operate. Whether it’s funding local nonprofits, supporting workforce development, or expanding access to essential services, these Bellevue businesses are making it easy to turn everyday purchases into meaningful impact. Here's where you can make an impact as you wake up your senses, one specialty latte, one beautifully prepared plate of wagyu, and one handcrafted candle votive at a time.

Bellden Café: A Social Enterprise in Old Bellevue

Known as the "Nicest Place in Washington". 

Bellden Café is a social enterprise café in Old Bellevue, full of aura, yummy snacks and good vibes. Founder Claire Sumadiwirya dedicates her time to giving back, hiring staff from marginalized communities, and providing job training, hospitality skills, and employment pathways. Over eight years, Claire has created over 200 jobs and donated nearly $500K to our community through the Bellden Community Fund, all while being a mom, an avid community volunteer, and community leader. You can find Claire pouring coffee and bussing tables in her café, taking orders at the mimosa stand at Paws & Pride, or tending to official city business as a Bellevue councilmember.

Visitors sipping on specialty drinks from the Community Lattes menu will directly support local charity partners. The handcrafted candles and granola packs all support local charities too. The community fund aims to turn everyday purchases into meaningful community impact. Recently, Bellden Café began exploring a workforce program that creates afternoon teas and community dinners. The Tea & Dinner Workforce Development Program creates a hospitality training pathway while adding new café experiences for us to enjoy. Our creator partner Ben Keenan shows off some of the new experience in his staycation video.

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi: Giving Back Through AHG Cares

With sky high panoramic views from the 31st floor, Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi is known for its sweeping skyline views, show stopping cocktails, refined wagyu cuts, and artful sushi. Beyond that, Ascend is part of Bellevue-based Ascend Hospitality Group, led by CEO and co-founder Elaina Morris. Through AHG Cares, their philanthropic impacts extend into the community. AHG Cares shows up across Bellevue, from back-to-school programs providing 800 students with supplies in 2025 to organizing community events like the Bellevue Night Market, which raised thousands for local organizations. Their 31 Lives program creates real pathways into the culinary world, funding scholarships and hands-on internships for aspiring young culinarians and students.

Visitors sipping on cocktails automatically participate in the Community Cocktail program, where a portion of featured cocktail sales is donated directly to local nonprofits. Even at its most elevated, Ascend remains grounded in the simple idea of giving back. 

Matcha Magic: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

Rachel Barnecut is the owner and founder of Matcha Magic, the first plant-forward, woman- and minority-owned matcha bar in Old Bellevue. Leaving a past life as a UX specialist for Boeing behind, Rachel steeped her way into the world of tea to look for something more interesting and challenging. Inside Matcha Magic, guests are greeted with bright pink and botanical whimsy and an endless menu of nutritious "potions". The magical latte-style beverages are made with different adaptogens, herbal pharmaceuticals, collagen powders, and plant-based goodness. The matcha is specially sourced from a single family farm in Shizuoka. Five percent of Rachel's sales are contributed to Ladies Who Launch, a nonprofit organization committed to bridging the equity gap for women and non-binary entrepreneurs. 

Fran's Chocolates: Tasty Treats with Local Impact

Founded in 1982 by Fran Bigelow, a chocolatier and pastry chef known as a pioneer in the U.S. artisan chocolate movement, the second ever Fran's Chocolates store opened in downtown Bellevue in 1996. The brand went on to receive national recognition by President Obama, who publicly named Fran's smoked salt caramels as a favorite. As it became known as the White House candy during his administration, Fran's Chocolates remained true to its roots as an artisanal chocolatier focused on quality, story, and local impact. Fran's has long-term partnerships with local nonprofits with product sales tied to donations to organizations like Neighborhood House, the Windermere Foundation, and Safe Crossings, servicing King County and our regional communities. If you're in Old Bellevue on Main Street, Fran's inviting storefront offers samples of the smoked salt caramels full of flavor that is sure to linger long after you leave Bellevue. 

Glassybaby: Handcrafted Giving in the Pacific Northwest

Bellevue is lucky to be in one of the most prominent glassblowing hubs in the U.S., with artists like Dale Chihuly helping put the region on the map. The Pilchuck Glass School, which he co-founded, helped establish the Pacific Northwest as a global center for glass art, shaping the ecosystem that made brands like glassybaby possible.

Founder Lee Rhodes was undergoing cancer treatment when her husband took a glassblowing class in Seattle. A simple glass votive he brought home offered her light and comfort during a difficult time, and that experience became the foundation for glassybaby. Today, glassybaby builds giving directly into its business model. A portion of revenue from every piece sold supports the glassybaby foundation, which has donated more than $16 million to nonprofits focused on cancer care, mental health, housing, and environmental work. Many of these partnerships are long-term and community-based, including organizations like Seattle Children’s Hospital, ensuring that each purchase contributes to ongoing support rather than one-time campaigns.

Made in Washington Store: Local Brands That Give Back

The Made in Washington Store located at The Bellevue Collection connects guests to a broader network of Washington makers and artisans who dedicate their brands to giving back. Inside, you'll find brands like Good & Well Supply Co., which donates 5% of all purchases to the National Park Foundation, or candlemaker Spir Candle Co. that donates to mental health nonprofits, or Tom Douglas' Rub With Love seasoning packets that extend impact through food systems, supporting regional producers and food access efforts. Even art and gift brands like Lantern Press contribute by promoting conservation awareness and public lands through their designs, reinforcing a sense of place tied to the Pacific Northwest. Together, they reflect a broader Washington pattern, where businesses across industries embed giving into how their products are made, sold, and experienced.

Beyond the Storefront

Across Bellevue, giving back extends far beyond what you see in our storefronts, cafes, and restaurants. Companies headquartered here are shaping impact at scale through structured, measurable programs.

T-Mobile, based in Bellevue, has built its corporate responsibility strategy around expanding access and strengthening communities. Through Project 10Million, the company provides free internet connectivity and mobile hotspots to underserved students nationwide, addressing the digital divide in education. Its disaster response program delivers critical connectivity and support during emergencies, helping communities stay connected when infrastructure fails. Closer to home, T-Mobile has also partnered with local governments, including the City of Bellevue, using mobility data and infrastructure collaboration to inform street safety efforts aimed at reducing pedestrian fatalities.

Symetra, also headquartered in Bellevue, focuses its foundation on education, workforce development, and health equity, supporting long-term community investment across Washington. Puget Sound Energy directs resources into energy assistance programs, helping thousands of households access and afford essential utilities while investing in environmental and clean energy initiatives. PACCAR contributes through STEM education and technical training, building pathways into engineering and manufacturing careers.

Across industries, from telecommunications to energy to manufacturing, these companies show that giving back is not limited to one model. It can be embedded in infrastructure, access, and long-term systems that shape how communities function.

Why Bellevue Businesses That Give Back Matter

Choosing where to spend your money can have a real impact. By supporting businesses that give back in Bellevue, you’re contributing to programs that fund education, support families, improve access to resources, and strengthen the local community. 

In Bellevue, giving back isn’t limited to one industry. It shows up in cafés, restaurants, retail shops, and major corporations alike. Whether you’re visiting Old Bellevue or supporting companies headquartered here, there are countless ways to engage with businesses that are committed to making a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What businesses give back in Bellevue, WA?

Bellden Café, Fran’s Chocolates, glassybaby, Matcha Magic, and Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi all support the community through donations, nonprofit partnerships, and workforce programs.

How do Bellevue businesses give back?

Through product-based donations, job training programs, nonprofit partnerships, and community events, as well as large-scale corporate initiatives.

Are there restaurants in Bellevue that give back?

Yes. Bellden Café and Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi both support local nonprofits through menu items, events, and community programs.

What companies are headquartered in Bellevue and give back?

T-Mobile, Symetra, Puget Sound Energy, and PACCAR invest in digital access, education, energy assistance, and workforce development.

Where can I shop brands that give back?

Made in Washington features local brands like Good & Well Supply Co. and Spir Candle Co. that support environmental and community causes.

Why support these businesses?

Every purchase helps fund local programs, nonprofits, and community initiatives across Bellevue and Washington.