Russell Wilson, former quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, founded the Why Not You Foundation in 2014 to create real and lasting change in the world by motivating, empowering and inspiring youth in the Seattle community and beyond. The phrase “WHY NOT YOU?” was instilled in Russell at an early age by his father with the belief that everyone has the potential to excel and do great things, no matter where they come from or what challenges they face.

Russell and his wife, Ciara, have grown the Foundation with the goals that its work can instill hope, inspiration and confidence in kids so that they truly believe that anything is possible.

For the Why Not You Foundation, WHY For Good developed the campaign DREAM BIG: Anything is Possible. The campaign, in partnership with King County Library System (KCLS), KCLS Foundation and JPMorgan Chase, empowered teens and encouraged students to take advantage of the wide range of programs and resources offered through community libraries — opening up a world of possibilities and leading the way to achieving their educational and career dreams.

Elements of the campaign included the release of limited edition library cards of Russell and Ciara ‘dreaming big,’ designed by Seattle artist Keegan Hall; underwriting KCLS’s Teen Voices program in which teens in six area school districts identified challenges facing their peers and developed solutions that culminated with a community presentation on those topics; and awarding of $100,000 along side the College Success Foundation in inaugural Why Not You Scholarships to eight area teens attending universities, community colleges and trade schools in the coming school year.