Community Stories

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.

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.

Give Local 2022 Sponsorships

Are you interested in becoming a Give Local 2022 Sponsor? Make your sponsorship gift today, and get ready to celebrate from November 7-18 as we all "Give Local"!

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.  

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.

Join Our Team!

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound is hiring for a Director of Community Programs & Operations Coordinator.

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.

Welcoming More Community Voices

Embracing a holistic approach to governance & grantmaking by and for our communities.

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!

2022 Board Nominations Are Open!

We are excited to open recruitment for our Board of Directors! Please consider nominating yourself or someone you know.

Contemporary Native Performers, On Their Own Terms

Read how Indigenous Performance Productions supports native artists and brings rich new stories to Olympia.

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.

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!

TOGETHER! Host Homes

This innovative program will be the first of its kind in Thurston County and is scheduled to begin housing students soon.

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.

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."

Tips for a Fantastic Give Local

Melissa Rosscup shares some ideas to help maximize giving and community connections through Give Local.

Building Community Through Music

Read how Great Bend Center for Music fulfills their mission: music that builds community.

Join Our Work To Inspire Philanthropy & Strengthen Local Communities!

Congratulations, 2021 Graduates!

This spring, the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound awarded $164,250, funding 54 scholarships for local students.

The Olympia Free Clinic Removes Barriers, Improves Patient Care

Honoring Her Father's Memory

Erin Adams Chase seeds endowment for Quixote Communities.

"What Makes a House a Home?" 2021 Coldwell Banker Scholarship Essay Contest

Give Local 2020 Final Report

Looking Back, Moving Forward

A local effort to transform history into an ongoing dialogue on racial justice, engaging the next generation, and inspiring change.

Ray T. McLane Family Fund

Janet McLane established a donor advised fund to honor her father.

Investing in Mason County Community Leaders

Envisioning a Bright Future for Our Youth

Sending our Regional Robotics Team to the First World Robotics Championship

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.

Friendship and Generosity: The Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation

2020 Community Grants

Senior Services Responds to COVID With Safety & Connection

Senior Services for South Sound played a crucial role in keeping local seniors safe &connected.

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."

Jim Lazar Fund

"This is my community, and I prefer my contributions to be local."

The Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship

Today, the Learning Seed has awarded nearly half a million dollars in scholarships to 103 students.

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.

Don Rhodes: Giving Now and Later

Chet Rhodes Family Chehalis Area Fund and the Don Rhodes Family Fund

Read About Changes to our Community Grants Program

Congratulations 2020 Graduates!

Standing Against Racism and Injustice

Donor Spotlight: The Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship

CFSPS and United Way of Thurston County have partnered to establish the Thurston County COVID-19 Response Fund

Give Local 2019 Raised $393,662!

We are so humbled by this community's generosity. Together we raised $293,662 for local nonprofits through Give Local 2019.

Announcing our New President & CEO

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.

Hal Marcus Estate

Community Foundation announces $5.6 Million Gift from Hal Marcus Estate.