
Community
Community Stories
2
Leadership Lessons for Challenging Times

It’s never easy to lead a nonprofit. But right now, nonprofits are facing incredible challenges that threaten to undo all the great work they’ve achieved to build a thriving community. The actions and practices that support success in the nonprofit sector aren’t obvious. In fact, sometimes the best move is the opposite of what > Continue Reading
6
Navigating a Generational Transfer of Values

Some parents see family philanthropy as a way to ensure family values are carried forward, but the next generation may feel it’s simply an obligation. Patrick Fletcher is a Senior Planner in the Wealth Planning Group at D.A. Davidson. He has witnessed this kind of disconnect in families. With tools and training from the Chartered > Continue Reading
26
Your Giving Journey Doesn’t Have To Be A Solo Trip

Giving back to your community is an opportunity to live your values, but it can be difficult to figure out where to begin. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. As a community foundation, GTCF advises many different donors and funders, each with their own vision, values, and goals. They > Continue Reading
25
Designated For Capital Funds Help Build Momentum for Community Movements in Pierce County

“Designated for Capital Funds are designed to fill various gaps and needs that community movements face.” Staff and volunteers at Oasis Youth Center were all smiles as they prepared to host their Check-In program, a peer-to-peer discussion where LGBTQ+ youth gather to talk about their week and what’s going on in the world. Check-In is > Continue Reading
13
It Takes A Community To Build A Community For All Ages

The Mustard Seed Project on Key Peninsula, like most nonprofit businesses, achieves its mission through a mix of vision, funding, and broad community support. As the organization has grown its impact and revenue, connections with diverse funders and philanthropic tools help further secure its long-term stability. Multi-generational bingo at The Mustard Seed Project “Getting older > Continue Reading
16
Flexible Funding Makes the Magic Happen Sooner

At a time when more people than ever are accessing food banks, a larger warehouse will expand Emergency Food Network’s (EFN) ability to distribute food to Pierce County people in need. However, financing the capital project meant overcoming barriers nonprofits face to flexible funding. A pilot bridge loan program from Elevate Health and Greater Tacoma > Continue Reading
7
Housing Equity Starts With Those Most Lacking Equity

Kiara Daniels remembers what it was like to buy a home in the quickly gentrifying Hilltop neighborhood where she grew up, “There were so many tears. First, I made not-enough money. And then I had to go out, hustle, and try to make more money. Then, I had to worry about making too much > Continue Reading
12
Youth Leaders Central To Ending Youth & Young Adult Homelessness in Pierce County

It’s a scenario that happens all too often. A young person is kicked out of their home, or leaves on their own after a family conflict. They reach out to friends for help, and stay on one couch for a few days, then another and another, and so on. Wanting to figure out a more > Continue Reading
12
Legacy Giving Can Transform the Future of Pierce County

In 2021, GTCF commissioned a Transfer of Wealth report that showed Pierce County has a household net worth of $269 Billion. Over the next 10 years, our community will see $48.6 Billion transfer from one generation to the next. Soon after that report was released, Leave 10 South Sound launched. Leave 10 South Sound > Continue Reading
12
A Strategy for a Thriving Pierce County

One of the earliest GTCF annual reports, in 1983, put forth an idea that is just as relevant today, “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 > Continue Reading