LaRae Wiley
Pay-It-Forward Awardee
Over the course of fifteen years, Salish School of Spokane has grown from a basement classroom into a vibrant center where children and adults learn Salish language (spoken by Indigenous peoples in the Pacific Northwest) through daily immersion instruction in academic subjects, art, music, and culture. With an emphasis on intergenerational learning and connections, the school fosters healing, strengthens community, and ensures the survival and celebration of Salish heritage for generations to come.
Spokane, Washington
October 15, 2025
Pay-It-Forward
Award
Awarded to:
Individual award recipients are not eligible for a grant, but can “pay it forward” by recommending a values-aligned organization to receive a grant. When an individual receives a “Pay It Forward” award, they are invited to recommend a grant to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in their community that is aligned with the values of the project. “Pay It Forward” recipients are typically awarded to one or several individuals for personal acts of courage






