SEATTLE, Washington – Washington Mutual and the Washington Mutual Foundation today announced 12 grants totaling $4,685,000 to support education and affordable housing initiatives. The organizations receiving grants are:

The New Teacher Project, $1,250,000 for professional development opportunities for new teachers in New York, Los Angeles and other urban areas

Achieve, $750,000 toward Achieve’s efforts to help states raise academic standards

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, $600,000 in scholarship funding for teachers pursuing National Board Certification

Los Angeles Educational Partnership, $500,000 to support teacher credentialing programs and professional development opportunities

Pasadena Educational Foundation, $330,000 for professional development opportunities for teachers, parental engagement programs, and curriculum development

GreatSchools.net, $250,000 toward GreatSchools.net’s efforts to provide millions of parents with information that helps them choose, support and improve local schools

United Teachers Educational Foundation, $250,000 to help support the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Center for Teaching and Learning’s Lesson Study Program

The Education Trust, $150,000 to support efforts to inform regional and national community groups about key provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act

Teach for America, $125,000 to train and support new teachers in urban schools in New York, New Jersey, Houston and Los Angeles

Washington Initiative for National Board Certification and Teacher Leadership, $125,000 to provide scholarship funding and mentoring support for teachers pursuing National Board Certification in Washington state

Neighborhood Partnership Fund, $195,000 to support leadership and training programs for community development corporations in Washington and Oregon

Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing, $160,000 toward increasing the supply of affordable housing in Southern California

“These grants reflect Washington Mutual’s ongoing commitment to making our communities better places to live, learn and work,” said Benson Porter, senior vice president of Washington Mutual’s community and external affairs division.

This year, Washington Mutual’s charitable giving will total more than $70 million in the form of grants and other assistance, with an emphasis on affordable housing and K-12 public education. For more information about Washington Mutual’s commitment to communities, visit “About WaMu” at www.wamu.com.

About Washington Mutual

With a history dating back to 1889, Washington Mutual is a national financial services company that provides a diversified line of products and services to consumers and small- to mid-sized businesses. At September 30, 2002, Washington Mutual and its subsidiaries had assets of $261.10 billion. Washington Mutual currently operates more than 2,500 consumer banking, mortgage lending, commercial banking, consumer finance and financial services offices throughout the nation.

Washington Mutual, Inc.

Washington Mutual, Inc.

The WaMu Difference You'll know it right away: We're really not like other banks. We've always been about making things better for people - both for our customers and our neighbors. When you visit one of our Financial Centers, call us or find us online, you can count on Washington Mutual for real help from real people - and for products with real benefits.

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