Community

All in for Good

Giving is ingrained in our culture. We’re fortunate to live and work in a bountiful region, so we take every opportunity to share our talents and resources to build a greater future for our communities. From employee-guided philanthropy to investments in the next generation, we aim to make a difference in people’s lives today—and create a more equitable world for tomorrow.

How We Build Community

Invest in the passions of our employees

Rather than a top-down approach to corporate giving, we look to our employees to tell us where to direct our efforts. Our grassroots style inspires people to get involved in the projects they deeply care about and identify the real needs in our community where we can make the biggest impact.

Invest in the interests of our clients

We’re involved in professional organizations to stay at the forefront of the latest trends and industry developments, and support the next generation of builders and leaders.

Invest in the future of our workforce

With a focus on traditionally underserved groups, we fund scholarships and create awareness of job opportunities in the construction industry. We invest in the talent pipeline we depend on—while raising the prospects for people who will build the cities of tomorrow.

Community Snapshots

Forterra C3 Trees

After becoming a founding member of the Forterra C3 Program in 2012, GLY measures our yearly carbon output and purchases trees that will absorb carbon over their lifetime equal to our calculated annual carbon footprint. To date we have planted close to 400 trees and volunteers enjoy the annual tradition of weeding and mulching the trees each spring.

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Every year, team GLY, led by Principal + Senior Project Manager Bryan Haakenson, puts on their purple and help raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's Association. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s event supports treatment + prevention research for the disease, and aims to improve the lives of millions of affected Americans.

NAIOP Community Enhancement

The 2021 NAIOP Washington State Chapter Community Enhancement event was held at the Auburn Valley YMCA! Throughout the 17 acre site, the team improved running + walking pathways, added new features like picnic tables + an amphitheater, and restored existing features of the site – all of which will have a lasting impact on the community by paving the way for future generations to learn, grow, and thrive in the Pacific Northwest!

Fred Hutch Obliteride

Every summer GLY looks forward to assembling Team #GLYrides4cure to raise money for Fred Hutch and its life-saving cancer research efforts. The mission to eliminate cancer and related diseases, is the common thread tying together the cyclists and the communities they ride through for one weekend each August. Learn more about why we ride.

Bike MS: Deception Pass Classic

GLY joins forces with our industry partners every September to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in support of their mission to cure MS and empower people affected by MS to live their best lives. During this two-day ride of a lifetime, we pedal alongside Vulcan Real Estate, McKinstry, Northwest Construction, Valley Electric, Graphite Design Group, and Coughlin Porter Lundeen, towards one destination: a world free of MS.

YMCA Camp Colman

GLY volunteers look forward to spring time every year because it means one thing for certain—the annual work party at YMCA Camp Colman. For the last two decades, a generous group of employees, family, and friends head down to Longbranch, WA to help YMCA staff with various construction, landscape, and maintenance projects around the camp. Projects range from landscape maintenance to new structures or rebuilds. All in all, there is always something for everyone to help with!

ACE Mentor Program

The ACE Mentor Program connects industry professionals with high school students across the nation to help educate the younger generations in architecture, engineering, and construction. In the Seattle area the program runs from November to May and is the starting point for well-informed choices—and successful, satisfying careers. Employees from GLY have participated as ACE Mentors for over 10 years and look forward to learning from students as much as teaching them!

Bike Works

Living in the PNW, cycling is a significant part of many GLY employees' lives. We believe everyone should have access to bicycles, a sustainable form of transportation, and know they are a vehicle for change to empower youth and build resilient communities. This is why we're long-time supporters of Bike Works. From bike cleaning and repair parties to ongoing corporate sponsorship, we consistently to look for ways to contribute to this local organization's mission.