History

Recent Milestones

• 2021: GTCF published a Pierce CountyTransfer of Wealth Report showing $482 billion is expected to transfer generations over the next 50 years
• 2021: Greentrike stepped into Out-of-School Time intermediary role incubated through GTCF’s Whole Child Partnership
• 2021: GTCF issued its final round of funding from PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED, bringing the total funding to $7.85 milliom
• 2021: GTCF organized bridge loan guaranty pool to support nonprofits delivering CARES Act funded services
• 2020: GTCF and United Way partnered to launch the PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED Aligned Philanthropic response to COVID-19, raising $7.4 million from hundreds of local donors and funders to support communities vulnerable under COVID-19 conditions.
• 2019: GTCF partnered with the Washington State Office of Financial Management to distribute $800K to support robust 2020 Census outreach in Pierce County.
• 2018: GTCF partnered with Forterra land conservancy in Impact Investing to preserve land in the Hilltop neighborhood for affordable housing development informed by community voice.
• 2018: GTCF partnered with the Pierce County Auditor’s Office to support a complete count for 2020 Census, something which affects federal funding, business development, and civic voice.

• 2017: GTCF and Tacoma Public Schools partnered to receive a four-year grant from The Wallace Foundation to pilot a partnership for Social Emotional Learning between the district and out of school providers as part of the Tacoma Whole Child Partnership.
• 2017: GTCF convened two workshops of more than 100 community leaders to surface ways to improve Women’s Economic Opportunity in Pierce County through the Fund for Women & Girls.
• 2016: Vanguard was selected as the manager of the GTCF endowment investments.
• 2015: Kathi Littmann hired as President/CEO.

How GTCF Started

In September 1977, three Tacoma-Pierce County leaders were inspired to create an organization that could support the needs and opportunities of their growing community for generations to come.

On June 1, 1981, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation became officially operational with assets of $10,000 and a commitment from a local private foundation to provide first year administrative funds of $36,000.

By 1983, the GTCF Annual Report promoted a vision that still resonates today:

As a nonpartisan agency, the community foundation may be a catalyst to convince disparate groups to work together towards a common objective.
Thus, over the years, a community foundation becomes a collection of many stories. Each tells how people have contributed to their community’s philanthropic history.

GTCF has grown substantially over the past four decades, reaching more than $180 million in total assets (as of 6/30/24), housing more than 600 funds and distributing more than $150 million in funding. Through endowed resources, individually directed grants, and community partnerships, GTCF is a catalyst for positive change.

GTCF was built to respond to Pierce County’s evolving needs:

The community foundation concept is a recognition of two fundamental facts – first, that certain and constant change takes place in our society and in our attitudes with respect to charity, and – second, that the problems of each generation can be solved better by the best minds of these generations than by those of the past.
– Cleve A. Redig, 1984 GTCF Board of Trustees President

GTCF is committed to carrying on a legacy of connecting people, funding, and knowledge for a thriving Pierce County, now and into the future.