Chess Mates Foundation

Mission

Our mission of Chess Mates is to provide scholastic chess programs, to enhance the core educational curriculum in Seattle area public schools and help children develop critical thinking skills.

Description

For over 30 years, Chess Mates Foundation has provided exceptional chess instruction to elementary and middle school students. Founded in 1989 by Henry Eisenhardt, Chess Mates Foundation believes that chess should be accessible to people regardless of language, physical ability, gender, or socioeconomic status.

Chess Mates organizes and provides after-school chess programs for elementary and middle school students in the Seattle area. Clubs meet weekly, October through May, at a respective school facilities. Chess Mates provides all teaching materials and workbooks, chess equipment and a trained instructor.

Through learning and playing chess, students build future life and work skills, including critical thinking, patience, and sportsmanship. 

Chess Mates is 501c3 non-profit organization funded by program fees and contributions from individuals, companies, and private foundations.

Pre-pandemic, Chess Mates Foundation was serving 27 schools in the Seattle Metro area with after school chess programs for students ages 5-12. When schools shut down, in-person chess clubs also shut down, and Chess Mates Foundation pivoted to online chess instruction.

When CMF returned to in-person programming in 2022, the landscape was drastically changed from the pandemic: parent and teacher contacts at schools had changed, many chess instructors had moved on to other fields or moved out of the city, and families were deeply impacted financially, many no longer being able to afford chess instruction.

Chess Mates Foundation has made great strides in rebuilding back to pre-pandemic levels, despite unprecedented challenges, and in the 2023-24 school year is currently running 17 chess clubs.

2024 GiveBIG Campaign

Chess Mates Foundation needs your help so that every child who wants to play chess, can.

Post-pandemic, Chess Mates Foundation is now experiencing a greater need than ever for scholarship funds for students. Currently, 50 students are on scholarship, allowing them to receive chess instruction at no cost.

Looking forward to the 2024-25 school year, CMF anticipates needing an additional $10,000 to meet the demand for free chess lessons for elementary students interested in chess.

Will you help us meet our goal for the 2024-25 school year? We hope you’ll consider donating to Chess Mates Foundation today, to help us provide chess club to every student who is waiting to play.

Recognition

Chess Mates gives special thanks for the family of our Founder Henry Eisenhardt for many years of guidance and support. Special thanks to Henry O'Dell and family for many years of financial support.