Community Foundation of South Puget Sound

06/23/2026

Connection is at the heart of strong communities. 💚

That's why we're grateful for organizations like South Sound Partners for Philanthropy that create opportunities for nonprofit professionals to learn from one another, build relationships, and strengthen their collective impact.

If you're looking to connect with peers and grow your professional network, consider joining Partners for their Summer Studio Social on August 5 at Altitude 15. All are welcome to join!

To learn more about Partners and to RSVP to join the social visit celebrategiving.org.

06/18/2026

📸 Our Summer Photo Contest is back!

As communities across the country commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the stories, experiences, and connections that continue to shape our region—and we invite you to help tell that story through your photography.

This year’s theme, Here For Generations, celebrates the moments, traditions, and places that connect us across generations and reflect the spirit of our vibrant South Sound communities.

Submit up to five photos between June 15 and August 10 for a chance to win and have your work featured in Community Foundation publications and storytelling efforts.

Learn more, enter the contest, or help spread the word at:
thecommunityfoundation.com/connect/photo-contest

06/16/2026

Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026!🎓

This year, 84 students received $310,500 in scholarship awards through the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound—helping make more possible for future leaders across the South Sound.

Meet two inspiring scholarship recipients, Kate Lim and Stephanie Bradley, and learn how scholarship support is helping students turn their aspirations into reality in our latest community story:
thecommunityfoundation.com/stories/celebrating-the-class-of-2026

06/11/2026

Supporting young people takes strong, connected organizations.

Over the past year, 13 nonprofits from Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties came together through the Youth Mental Health Learning Cohort to deepen their understanding of trauma-informed care, resilience, and youth well-being.

What emerged was more than shared learning. Participants built new relationships, strengthened existing partnerships, and explored new ways to work together in support of youth mental health across our region.

Read our reflections on a year of learning together, and the new collaborations and projects that emerged from this work:

Supporting young people takes strong, connected organizations. See how shared learning helped local partners build relationships, strengthen their work, and launch new collaborations.

06/09/2026

When you give through the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, you join a powerful collective of donors who are making positive impacts right here in the South Sound.

Learn how we can make more possible with your giving:
thecommunityfoundation.com/funds/overview

06/04/2026

Today, we want to share the work of Window Seat Media and Capital City Pride, two South Sound nonprofits, who are partnering to preserve and share local history through their Pride Storytelling Project.

This Sunday, June 7, community members are invited to attend “Rainbow Reminiscing: 50 Years of Oly Pride”, a special event showcasing stories, interviews, art, music, and community reflections drawn from more than 20 q***r oral history interviews documenting Olympia's LGBTQIA2S+ past, present, and future.

The event will feature presentations, interactive exhibits, storytelling, original music, and opportunities to connect with local q***r organizations and community members.

Sunday, June 7
Capitol Theater, Olympia
3:00 pm doors | 4:00 pm show

Learn more and get your tickets:
www.olympiafilmsociety.org/movie/rainbow

Events like this are a reminder of what's possible when local nonprofits, and the many community members behind this work, come together to preserve community history and create opportunities for learning, reflection, and connection.

06/03/2026

📣 You’re invited to join the YWCA of Olympia for Bread + Belonging on June 5 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Friendship Hall.

This free, family-friendly community dinner is an opportunity to share a meal, connect with neighbors, hear updates about the YWCA's work, and help imagine what comes next. Whether you're looking to meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, or simply enjoy a warm meal in community, all are welcome.

Dinner will be provided by OG Smokehouse, with vegan and vegetarian options available.

RSVP to attend at:
ywcaofolympia.org/upcoming-events

Thank you to our neighbors at the YWCA Olympia for creating spaces that bring people together and foster belonging in our community!

06/02/2026

🌈 Happy Pride Month!

Today, we want to uplift the work of Capital City Pride whose mission is to create a safe and empowering stage to uplift, celebrate, heal, and inspire our vibrant LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC communities while fostering a culture of belonging and love.

From June 26–28, Capital City Pride will host its annual Pride Festival, a free, all-ages event that welcomes everyone to come as they are and enjoy a weekend of celebration, community, education, activism, and fun.

We’re grateful to support Capital City Pride’s efforts through our annual grantmaking and for the many ways they help create spaces where people can connect, celebrate, and feel a sense of belonging.

Learn more about their work, volunteer opportunities, and this year’s festival at:
capitalcitypride.net

05/28/2026

South Sound nonprofit teams—are you part of South Sound Partners for Philanthropy?

If not, it’s worth checking out. Partners brings nonprofit professionals together each month to connect, learn from one another, and stay current on topics shaping fundraising and philanthropy across our region.

Their June membership meeting will focus on Board Sustainability and feature Phil Owen, who will share insights and practical strategies for building and sustaining engaged nonprofit boards.

Date: June 3, 2026
Meeting start: 9:00 am
Location: In person at TC Media or virtually on Zoom

Whether you’re new to nonprofit work or have years of experience, these gatherings are a great opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and learn alongside peers who understand the work.

Learn more and register to attend the June 3 meeting at:
celebrategiving.org

05/26/2026

Last week, Mary and Heidi from our team joined community members, entrepreneurs, and partners from across the South Sound for Enterprise for Equity's Economy of Belonging event.

The evening centered on an important conversation: what does it take to build a regional economy where more people have the opportunity to contribute, belong, and thrive?

We were especially grateful to hear from local entrepreneurs Diksha Berebitsky of Blissful Births Initiations, Amy Kovacs of Fix-It Friend, Sophia Landis of Sofie’s Scoops, Mo Golden of Studio Golden & Heart of the Deernicorn, and Makieda Hart of SGT Hart’s BBQ Sauce, who shared their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future of small business in our communities.

Thank you to our nonprofit partners and grantees at Enterprise for Equity, the panelists, and everyone who helped create such a thoughtful and inspiring evening. We’re grateful to learn alongside so many community members working to strengthen opportunities and belonging throughout our region.

To learn more about Enterprise for Equity’s work, visit:
enterpriseforequity.org