

Kraken Unity fund
together with Starbucks
The Kraken Unity Fund was created by the Seattle Kraken, One Roof Foundation, and Starbucks with funding from our ownership group, led by David Bonderman and Samantha Holloway. The purpose of the Fund is to honor inspiring individuals who are doing outstanding work to transform lives, enable resiliency, and uplift and unite our community across the Pacific Northwest.
Launched at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, the Hero of the Deep tradition at Seattle Kraken home games will continue for 2023/24. One Roof Foundation will work with each Hero to select a nonprofit recipient of a $32,000 Kraken Unity Fund donation.
Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis.
Learn more about One Roof Foundation mission, vision, and pillars here.
Learn more about Starbucks’ commitment to communities here.
Criteria & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Nomination Eligibility Criteria
The nominator must be at least 13 years old and complete all required fields on the nomination form.
All nominations:
- Must be completed online via our nomination form. We will not consider requests made over the phone, via email, by mail, by fax or direct messaging via social accounts
- Become the property of One Roof Foundation/Seattle Kraken and will not be returned
- May be edited at the sole discretion of One Roof Foundation/Seattle Kraken for use in publications or promotions
- If more than one nomination is received for a particular nominee, then One Roof Foundation/Seattle Kraken in its sole discretion may designate one of the nominations/nominators
The Seattle Kraken and One Roof Foundation are grateful for all Hero of the Deep nominations. Due to the large volume of nominations, only those selected will be notified.
Hero of the Deep Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for selection as a Hero of the Deep, a nominee must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Must be at least 13 years old
- Reside within the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska
- Must be able to be present on honoree game day (under 18 must also have parent or guardian present)
- Must complete a publicity release as a condition to selection
Grant Recipient Organization Eligibility Criteria
One Roof Foundation and Starbucks will work with the Hero of the Deep for input on the organization that will receive a $32,000 grant from One Roof Foundation in their honor. The organization must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization or fiscally sponsored (by a 501c3) nonprofit, headquartered within the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska. Political, religious, advocacy, or special interest groups will not be considered
- Be in good financial standing
- Be willing to be part of a story/vignette on how the funds impacted the organization for publication or promotion
- Agree to submit a short report on how funds were used within one year of receiving grant
- Have a mission or vision that aligns with One Roof Foundation and Starbucks shared values of:
- advancing inclusion, diversity, and racial equity
- addressing homelessness (families, youth and/or adult)
- advancing hunger relief efforts
- empowering youth, particularly through access to hockey and other forms of play
- uplifting communities, particularly those most negatively impacted by climate change and disasters
What are you looking for in a Hero of the Deep?
Selection factors include, but are not limited to, the extent to which the nominee:
- Has a particularly inspiring story, demonstrates courage in the face of adversity and/or has a track record of uplifting and uniting our community
- Serves our community in alignment with One Roof Foundation and Starbucks shared values of:
- advancing inclusion, diversity, and racial equity
- addressing homelessness (families, youth and/or adult)
- advancing hunger relief efforts
- empowering youth, particularly through access to hockey and other forms of play
- uplifting communities, particularly those most negatively impacted by climate change and disasters
- Some heroes may be recognized during our hockey theme nights which include, but not limited to Hockey Fights Cancer, Military Appreciation, etc.
What do selected Heroes of the Deep receive?
Kraken Unity Fund Heroes of the Deep will be recognized in game and work with One Roof Foundation to select the recipient organization of a $32,000 donation, made in their honor. There will be one recipient for every Kraken home game in the 2023/24 regular season.
At the end of the season, Starbucks, One Roof Foundation, and the Seattle Kraken will host a capstone event at Kraken Community Iceplex. Attendees will include the past year’s Heroes of the Deep, Starbucks and Kraken front office staff, leadership, and Seattle Kraken Talent. In addition, certain Kraken Unity Fund Organizations will be selected to have a unity volunteer day take place at their site. This volunteer day will include Starbucks and Seattle Kraken employees.
Can an individual be selected more than once?
No.
How many times can I nominate someone?
The nominator may only nominate one Hero of the Deep per season. If a nominator submits multiple nominations, only the first submission will be considered.
If more than one nomination is received for a particular nominee, then One Roof Foundation/Seattle Kraken in its sole discretion may designate one of the nominations/nominators.
What happens if my nominee is selected?
If selected, the nominee and nominator will be notified directly by One Roof Foundation using the contact information provided and will be given additional details at that time.
The nominator may be required to complete a publicity release, should their nominee be selected as a Hero of the Deep.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Any additional questions or notifications may be directed to [email protected].

Meet the 2023-24 Kraken Unity Fund Heroes of the Deep, the unsung heroes in our community that we have honored thus far this season and the non-profits they’ve chosen to receive a $32,000 grant.
- October 17, 2023 – Mary Ellen Stone, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- October 19, 2023 – Brian Wallach, I am ALS
- October 21, 2023 – Sidney Culbert & Kaela Chow, Athletes for Kids
- November 2, 2023 – Nate McMillan, Nate McMillan Foundation
- November 4, 2023 – Miriam Lara, Rainier Athletes
The 2022-23 Heroes of the Deep
Access the full season Kraken Unity Fund Hero of the Deep video playlist here.
- October 15, 2022 – Julia Colson, Seattle/King County Clinic [video]
- October 17, 2022 – Paul Lambros, Plymouth Housing [video]
- October 19, 2022 – Sue Bird, Black Future Co-Op Fund [video]
- October 25, 2022 – Darla Varrenti, Nick of Time Foundation [video]
- October 27, 2022 – Chad Furstenwerth, YouthCare [video]
- October 29, 2022 – D’Vonne Pickett Jr. [video]
- November 8, 2022 – Teacher from Rainier Prep
- November 11, 2022 – Matt Kress, Headstrong [video]
- November 13, 2022 – Jaci McCormack, Rise Above [video]
- November 17, 2022 – Julie Self, Cancer Research [video]
- November 19, 2022 – Maealie Glanzer, Black Girl Hockey Club [video]
- November 23, 2022 – Dom Davis, Youth Achievement Center [video]
- December 1, 2022 – Derrick Belgarde, Chief Seattle Club [video]
- December 3, 2022 – Adrienne Hall, Darrington Food Bank [video]
- December 6, 2022 – Amy Bettle, Spark Northwest [video]
- December 18, 2022 – Amir Islam, The Residency [video]
- December 20, 2022 – Denver Hanson, Mary’s Place and Catholic Community Services [video]
- December 28, 2022 – Hamdi Abdulle, African Community Housing & Development [video]
- December 30, 2022 – Paulina Lopez, Duwamish River Community Coalition [video]
- January 1, 2023 – Marisa Patrick, Upower [video]
- January 16, 2023 – Pastor Pat Wright, Shirts Across America [video]
- January 19, 2023 – Ezra Teshome, Ethiopian Community in Seattle [video]
- January 21, 2023 – Tanya Nguyen, Real Change [video]
- January 25, 2023 – Sara Craig, St. Anne Hospital Foundation [video]
- January 27, 2023 – Liem Kaplan, The Giving Hope Project [video]
- January 28, 2023 – Roxana Pardo Garcia, Alimentando al Pueblo [video]
- February 16, 2023 – Robert Nellams, CWUF Wildcat Promise [video]
- February 18, 2023 – Lenny Wilkens, Lenny Wilkens Foundation [video]
- February 23, 2023 – Roman Vaschuk, Ukrainian Community Center of Washington [video]
- February 26, 2023 – Guarangi Gupta, Treehouse [video]
- March 7, 2023 – Maddy Brockert, One Love Foundation [video]
- March 9, 2023 – Jerri Turner, Food Backpacks 4 Kids [video]
- March 11, 2023 – Sahar Fathi, Iranian American Community Alliance [video]
- March 13, 2023 – Jessica Taylor, Pride Foundation [video]
- March 18, 2023 – Dr. Vin Gupta, Climate Solutions [video]
- March 30, 2023 – Bill Hoover, Firefighter Cancer Support Network [video]
- April 1, 2023 – Dr. Ben Danielson, AHSHAY [video]
- April 3, 2023 – Officers Raymond Fischer & Taylor Vergara, Dog Gone Seattle [video]
- April 6, 2023 – Denis Hayes, Toxic-Free Future [video]
- April 8, 2023 – Rosalie Fish, Mother Nation [video]
- April 13, 2023 – Ladies of the Kraken, King County Play Equity Coalition [video]
- April 22, 2023 – Jesse Hagopian, Teaching for Black Lives Campaign [video]
- April 24, 2023 – Ashley Clayton, Seattle Fire Foundation [video]
- April 28, 2023 – Seattle Kraken Players, Be the Match, Make-a-Wish AK/WA, & Northgate Elementary PTA [video]
- May 7, 2023 – Helen Tilghman, Pocock Rowing Foundation & ASUW Shell House [video]
- May 9, 2023 – Rachel Smith, Boys and Girls Clubs of King County [video]