Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Awards $1.5 Million in Grants

Tacoma, WA (May 8, 2013):  The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation today announced that its Board of Directors has approved $1,568,812 in grants. These funds, which are for programmatic and operating use, include Vibrant Community grants, anchor grants, and donor-advised grants approved at its April Board meeting. This brings the year-to-date funding to more than $2.9 million in grants and scholarships for fiscal year 2013 (July 2012-June 2013). 

“Through our individual and collective giving, we’re investing in positive change throughout our community,” said Rose Lincoln Hamilton, President & CEO of The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. “The nonprofit organizations receiving support help to sustain and strengthen our region, and help ensure it’s a place that allows each person the opportunity to thrive.”

Vibrant Community Grants:
One-third of the grants—totaling $528,300—were awarded to 75 organizations as annual and multi-year grants through the Community Foundation’s Vibrant Community Grantmaking program. The Vibrant Community platform is the Foundation’s largest discretionary grants program and encompasses five focus areas: arts & culture, basic needs, education, environment, and neighborhoods & communities.

Both well-known organizations with proven track records as well as innovative and newer programs were selected as grantees. The largest grant was a multi-year award totaling $30,000 to the Northwest Leadership Foundation.

Nearly half of its basic needs grants were directed toward organizations working to provide housing assistance. Three grants went to support nonprofits involved in a new collaborative effort entitled Housing 4 Success (H4S). Launched in January 2013, H4S provides transitional housing for unaccompanied youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, of which there are an estimated 3,000 in Pierce County.

“Many of the young people who find housing through H4S have nothing when they move into their new home because they have been moving from place to place,” said Kurt Miller, Director of the REACH Center, one of the agencies involved in the collaborative. “The Vibrant Community grant funding will pay for essentials such as kitchen utensils, sheets, pillows, and any other necessities they need in their first weeks in their new apartment.”

Anchor Grants:
More than $900,000 in grants and scholarships were awarded from the Community Foundation’s anchor funds—those established by generous community members to support areas they care about most. These include agency, designated, field of interest and scholarship funds that are held by the Community Foundation. Organizations receiving the largest grants include the Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound, Friends of Lakewold, Jefferson County Community Foundation, Multicare Health Systems, University of Puget Sound, Washington Business Alliance, and YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

An additional $121,521 was awarded in grants from 14 donor-advised funds held at the Community Foundation.

For over 31 years, the Community Foundation and its donors have helped strengthen the region by awarding grants to support nonprofit organizations that are making a difference in Pierce County.

For a full list of organizations that received support, please visit The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation website at: www.gtcf.org.