Community Foundation Invests $450,000 in Grants to Strengthen Pierce County

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation (GTCF) announced $450,000 in funding to 36 Pierce County nonprofit organizations today. Five of those organizations receive a three year commitment in financial support totaling $150,000.

Designed to bolster smaller nonprofits with annual budgets of less than $1 million, Strengthening Pierce County grants provide general operating support to organizations who are addressing critical issues in the South Sound region.

“General operating support is necessary in providing smaller organizations with the flexibility to best carrying out their mission,” Kathryn Zetzer, Senior Program Officer with GTCF, said. “These nonprofits have demonstrated to us that they are the experts in their field so we want to set them up for as much success as possible.”

Strengthening Pierce County Grants support organizations with clear mission and programmatic alignment, who learn from their constituents, participate in improving their field of expertise, assess their impact, and share the Foundation’s values.

Organizations receiving support are addressing issues such as arts, culture, environment, education, youth, basic needs, neighborhood revitalization and social entrepreneurship. “Two years ago our Foundation decided to invest in strong nonprofits because we understand that some expenses cannot be adequately covered under restricted expenses and we’ve seen tremendous progress in our grantees,” Zetzer said.

In addition to providing funding support, new in 2016, the Foundation is offering South Sound nonprofits peer-led learning and networking opportunities in order to share best practices, trade secrets and insider tips.

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation is investing in building a stronger Pierce County through learning opportunities,” Gina Anstey, GTCF Vice President of Grants & Initiatives said. “In order for organizations to create and drive more consequential impact in our community, we need to learn from each other and figure out where the gaps exist and how we can fill them.”