The Benji Project
P.O. Box 1487
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Telephone: (360) 344-2054
Website: https://www.thebenjiproject.org
Description of Organization
The Benji Project’s mission is to teach young people and their families practical tools of mindfulness and self-compassion so they can meet life’s challenges with clarity, steadiness, and kindness. Their vision is a community where all youth feel seen, valued, and supported in cultivating the inner resources to thrive— developing the resilience and confidence to succeed in life and contribute to healthier communities. Founded in 2017 in memory of Benji, a local teenager ho died by suicide, our work arises from compassion and a deep commitment to prevention. In a rural region with limited mental health resources, they believe that nurturing awareness and self-kindness in young people is one of the most effective ways to support well-being and reduce suffering. Their core values guide them: Common humanity – honoring the truth that struggle is part of being human, while recognizing each person’s unique story.
Grant(s) Awarded
In 2026, a donation in the amount of $1,000 was awarded to support expansion of its school-based programs in rural Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, offering mindfulness and self-compassion classes that help teens reduce suffering, cultivate resilience, and discover inner strength. Grounded in an evidence-based curriculum and delivered in partnership with schools, these programs plant the seeds of kindness and awareness that ripple outward—turning the wheel of positive change in classrooms, families, and communities.