Mark your calendars! From November 10 - 21, 2025 Give Local—our region's largest local celebration of generosity and community—returns. For nearly a decade, neighbors across Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties have come together to raise more than $5 million for local nonprofits. This year, we're ready to do it again, together.

The Necessity of Joy

If we wanted to sum up the spirit of Give Local in one word, we might sum it up with joy. From donors showing generosity, to nonprofits feeling seen and valued for the work they do, to all those who visit spsgives.org to discover more good things happening around them—everyone in our community can join in Give Local's joy.

As we shared in our recent story on the State of South Sound Nonprofits, 2025 has been a hard year for many in our region. Times like these are when joy is most needed. Joy counteracts stress and reminds us there is so much worth fighting for. It is also a reserve we can draw on when the news is especially bleak. As Brené Brown writes, "Joy, collected over time, fuels resilience—ensuring we'll have reservoirs of emotional strength when hard things do happen."

During Give Local, donors and nonprofits build these reservoirs together. One donor expressed this as feeling, "Beyond grateful to be able to support some great causes herein this amazing city I call home!"

This enthusiasm is mirrored on the nonprofit side:

• “We love all of the support and hype built up around Give Local—it creates such an energizing, joyful experience for our participants and supporters." (Heartstrides Therapeutic Horsemanship)
• “It is a fun and exciting way to raise funds and to join with the broader community in celebrating generosity." (A Gift for Special Children)
• “We are excited to make connections and engage with the community during Give Local—it's always uplifting to be part of this joyful campaign." (Girls on the Run WestSound)

Through Give Local—as we all come together to support our neighbors and help keep essential programs and resources available in our region—we create joy together.

 A Quilt of Community Care

In many ways, coming together for Give Local is like stitching a quilt of community care. Each colorful piece has a unique place to fill, just like each Give Local nonprofit focuses on different missions and needs. By bringing them together, Give Local empowers many beloved Lewis, Mason, and Thurston County organizations to do what they do best for the people and places they serve.

Whatever it is you care about—animals, arts and culture, community belonging, economic development, education, food security, health care, housing, the environment, and more—you will likely find a Give Local nonprofit creating positive change in that area. As one Give Local donor shared with us, "Being part of a community of caring neighbors is a comfort and a safety net. I want to help make and keep that a reality."

The best way to join that donor and learn about all the beautiful work you can support through Give Local is to explore spsgives.org from November 10 – 21. Get ready now by saving the date, bookmarking the site, or visiting our Ways to Give page to explore your giving options!

Can't wait for November to satisfy your curiosity? Here's a small sampling of great organizations you'll find on Give Local 2025. We're excited to welcome Hope Alliance, joining Give Local for the first time with their work of supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Lewis County. Returning this year, Tenino Community Service Center provides essential support and keeps food on tables in South Thurston County—increasingly crucial work as food benefits shrink and demand grows (see our recent story on food systems for more). In Mason County, the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group restores salmon habitat and deepens the connection between land, people, and salmon. Long-time Give Local nonprofit, Wild Grief, offers nature-based healing and support for people grieving a death. We also have several housing nonprofits tackling one of our region's biggest challenges through a variety of community-rooted approaches—from tiny homes to land trusts to rural advocacy.

And that's just the beginning. Over 150 organizations have signed up for this year's event. As one 2024 Give Local donor shared, "It is a special night when I sit down and see all the organizations I like to give to already and discover new ones I did not even know about. We live in a great place!"

To go beyond this sample and experience the full wonder of Give Local, there's no substitute for visiting spsgives.org for the whole "quilt" of people and organizations together. See you there!

Connection Is Our Superpower

One reason Give Local is so beloved by our communities is its countercultural power of connection. Whether we're keeping up with life's hectic pace, expending immense energy to make ends meet, or slipping into the endless scroll of our screens, modern life makes it easy to surrender to the pull of disconnection.

In our Community Conversation with Eric Liu, earlier this year, we explored some antidotes to this through the question, "How shall we live together?" Give Local gives us a way to answer this through simple actions and fun opportunities to connect, including volunteer opportunities, group giving pages, fundraising with friends, and in-person events.

• ‍Volunteering: Nonprofits can post volunteer opportunities directly on the Give Local platform. Volunteering is a powerful way to connect with community and purpose, while making a difference. Be sure to check the Opportunities Page to find your way to join in.‍
• Group Giving: Want to rally your business, club, or civic organization around local causes? Group Giving pages make it easy to pool donations and cheer each other on in real time. For local businesses especially, these pages offer an easy and fun way to engage teams in giving back—plus, the Community Foundation can help you set up a co-branded page that reflects your unique spirit. You can learn more here. ‍
• In-Person Events: From concerts to community dinners and other fun gatherings, many nonprofits celebrate Give Local in-person—keep an eye on your favorite organizations in the lead-up to Give Local to watch for events near you! We look forward to all the creative and meaningful connections that will happen this year.

 Visit spsgives.org to learn more and find your own way to connect!

The Most Important Ingredient

We are delighted with all the ways Give Local has strengthened South Sound communities over the years. What began as a small fundraiser in 2017 has blossomed into a region-wide movement. Last year alone, Give Local raised over $1.18 million—pushing the total to $5 million in support of local nonprofits.

At the heart of Give Local is you! Every time you give, volunteer, cheer on your favorite nonprofit, or introduce a friend to Give Local—you're part of this incredible community story.

Whether you're joining for the first time or area long-time supporter, whether you're a small business supporting local causes or an individual looking for volunteer opportunities, whether you're a donor giving what you can or a nonprofit doing the work to strengthen our communities—none of this would happen without you and your love for this place we call home.

We cannot wait for you to join us November 10 - 21, 2025 to share in the joy, care, and connection that makes our community thrive!