Community Stories
We are inspired by stories that reflect the spirit of community, the power of generosity, and the transformative work we do together on behalf of the South Puget Sound.
2022 Community Grants
We are thrilled to support 84 nonprofits through this annual grant program! Learn more and join us in celebrating the excellent work of this year's recipients.
Read the full story >Embracing Resilience Together
Resilience Fund Grant disbursements are now complete! Read about how, coming together, our communities responded to the challenges caused and amplified by COVID-19.
Read the full story >It’s Time For The Hispanic Roundtable’s 20th Anniversary Latinx Youth Summit
The Hispanic Roundtable is excited to celebrate the Latinx Youth Summit in person with high school students, parents, and educators across Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Grays Harbor Counties.
Read the full story >Presenting A New Book: Blacks in Thurston County, Washington 1950 to 1975: A Community Album
Dr. Thelma Jackson presents a first-ever look at the history of Black life in Thurston County.
Read the full story >Make-A-Will Month and the Power of Planned Giving
Learn more about this yearly reminder to create or update your will and how you can give back to your loved ones & your community through your will.
Read the full story >Get Ready to Give Local!
Embrace community generosity as a Give Local donor & get ready to participate in the gift of giving this fall! There are many ways for your to get involved starting now.
Read the full story >Congratulations Class of 2022!
In the spring of 2022, the Community Foundation awarded $178,250 in scholarships to 53 students across Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties.
Read the full story >A Tribute to Norma Schuiteman
Norma Schuiteman, who served as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound from 2004 to 2019, passed away March 28, 2022 at age 75 after a battle with cancer.
Read the full story >Transparency in Government: TVW's New Endowment Helps Ensure Public Access in Perpetuity
This year, the organization established the Chief Justice Gerry Alexander Endowment to help them continue to fulfill their mission.
Read the full story >Welcoming More Community Voices
Embracing a holistic approach to governance & grantmaking by and for our communities.
Read the full story >2021 Community Grants
In 2021, we were honored to support 76 grants for a total of $341,515. Thank you, everyone, for working together to keep our communities strong!
Read the full story >Contemporary Native Performers, On Their Own Terms
Read how Indigenous Performance Productions supports native artists and brings rich new stories to Olympia.
Read the full story >Resilience Fund Update
Resilience Fund grants are open for 2022! Read about where this grant program came from, what it's teaching us so far, and who was funded in 2021.
Read the full story >Welcome, Board Members!
The Community Foundation is thrilled to welcome five new members to our Board of Directors in 2022. Learn who's joining our team!
Read the full story >TOGETHER! Host Homes
This innovative program will be the first of its kind in Thurston County and is scheduled to begin housing students soon.
Read the full story >Announcing Leave 10 South Sound!
Introducing a collaborative regional initiative that educates, inspires, and encourages individuals to leave at least 10 percent of their estate to charity.
Read the full story >The Enduring Legacy of Irving A. Lassen
"What began as a 2 million dollar estate gift in 1973 has grown to 7.3 million+ in gifts for our community."
Read the full story >Tips for a Fantastic Give Local
Melissa Rosscup shares some ideas to help maximize giving and community connections through Give Local.
Read the full story >Building Community Through Music
Read how Great Bend Center for Music fulfills their mission: music that builds community.
Read the full story >Congratulations, 2021 Graduates!
This spring, the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound awarded $164,250, funding 54 scholarships for local students.
Read the full story >The Olympia Free Clinic Removes Barriers, Improves Patient Care
Before COVID-19, hot shower and coffee helped connect people to medical care.
Read the full story >Honoring Her Father's Memory
Erin Adams Chase seeds endowment for Quixote Communities.
Read the full story >"What Makes a House a Home?"
learn more about the 2021 Coldwell Banker Scholarship Essay Contest.
Read the full story >Give Local 2020 Final Report
Thank you to all who helped make Give Local 2020 a success; despite the challenges of 2020, our communities raised a total of $523,691!
Read the full story >Looking Back, Moving Forward
A local effort to transform history into an ongoing dialogue on racial justice, engaging the next generation, and inspiring change.
Read the full story >Announcing The Ray T. McLane Family Fund
Janet McLane established a donor advised fund to honor her father’s passion for environmental stewardship and habitat protection.
Read the full story >Investing in Mason County Community Leaders
Congratulations to the 82 graduates of the Mason County Rural Community Leadership Program!
Read the full story >Envisioning a Bright Future for Our Youth Through STEAM
Sending our Regional Robotics Team to the First World Robotics Championship.
Read the full story >Fighting Hunger on the Frontlines of COVID-19
Read how Thurston County Food Bank is finding new ways to reach the people who can't reach them.
Read the full story >Friendship and Generosity: The Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation
Envisioning strong and healthy communities through our toughest season together.
Read the full story >Senior Services Responds to COVID With Safety & Connection
Senior Services for South Sound played a crucial role in keeping local seniors safe &connected.
Read the full story >2020 Community Grants
We are proud to have awarded 97 grants for a total of $399,300 through our 2020 Community Grants Program. Learn more about our impact here.
Read the full story >The Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship
Today, the Learning Seed has awarded nearly half a million dollars in scholarships to 103 students.
Read the full story >Jim Lazar Fund
"This is my community, and I prefer my contributions to be local."
Read the full story >Brian Charneski
"There were times when we wondered whether we should fold or quit. We had a hard time getting people to understand the purpose of the foundation."
Read the full story >The Southwest Washington Food Hub
The Southwest Washington Food Hub is one beautiful example of how creativity, collaboration, and hard work have made a difference.
Read the full story >Don Rhodes: Giving Now and Later
Chet Rhodes Family Chehalis Area Fund and the Don Rhodes Family Fund
Read the full story >Changes to our Community Grants Program
Learn more about the changes we are making to our grants this year.
Read the full story >Congratulations, 2020 Graduates!
This Spring, the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound awarded $183,750 in scholarships to 55 amazing students.
Read the full story >Donor Spotlight: The Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship
Marsha and Merritt Long, the force behind a scholarship advancing education for students of color and students who’ve faced significant challenges.
Read the full story >Standing Against Racism and Injustice
Acknowledging our trauma, anger, and frustration as a community and taking a stand together through philanthropy.
Read the full story >Announcing The Thurston County COVID-19 Response Fund
CFSPS and United Way of Thurston County have partnered to help those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Read the full story >Give Local 2019 Results
We are so humbled by this community's generosity. Together we raised $293,662 for local nonprofits through Give Local 2019.
Read the full story >Announcing our New President & CEO
Please join us in welcoming Mindie Reule as our new leader of the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound.
Read the full story >Norma Schuiteman Sustaining Fund
We invite you to honor Norma's service and strengthen the future of the Community Foundation by making a gift today.
Read the full story >Hal Marcus Estate
Community Foundation announces $5.6 Million Gift from Hal Marcus Estate.
Read the full story >