Jefferson Community Foundation

05/28/2026

Nonprofits across Jefferson County are asking the same question: how do we use AI well — in a way that's practical, affordable, and safe for the people we serve?

We're here to help you find answers. As part of our ongoing work supporting the nonprofit sector, Jefferson Community Foundation invites you to AI Tools for Nonprofits, a free, hands-on workshop at our Nonprofit Resource Center.

🗓️ Thursday, June 25 | 3:30–5:00 PM
📍 JCF Nonprofit Resource Center, Port Townsend
Free

Led by Jared Jenkins of Cavallo Nero, this session is a practical follow-up to April's Empowered & Ethical AI panel. We'll walk through specific, budget-friendly tools you can put to work right away — for everyday operations and for the particular work your organization does — plus how to use them without putting donor and client data at risk. Honest conversation about what's working, what isn't, and where to start.

Built for the leaders, staff, and Board members of Jefferson County nonprofits.

👉 RSVP (free): https://jcfgives.org/event/ai-tools-for-nonprofits/

Convening, connecting, and building capacity for our nonprofit community is at the heart of what we do. We hope you'll join us.

05/20/2026

"If there is a bed available, we'll never turn anyone away. No one is too broken." — Tobi McEnerney, Owl360 & The Nest Community Coffee House 💙

Jefferson County has the second-highest rate of disconnected youth in Washington. OWL360 is changing that — one young person, one relationship, one "esteemable choice" at a time.

In 2025 alone, OWL360 provided 9,147 bed nights for young people across five properties. 82% of graduates go on to sign their own leases. And it's not just housing — it's wrap-around support: Clemente Course in Humanities, Earn to Learn, Level Up internships, Flight Crew, and a coffeehouse (The Nest) that doubles as a community living room.

Emily arrived in Port Townsend at 22, unhoused and couch-surfing. This June, she graduates from Western Washington University. In the fall, she begins her Master's at UW. Today she works at the Office of Homeless Youth — bringing both her professional and lived experience to the next generation.

This is what "you'll never walk alone" looks like.

👉 Read the full story: https://jcfgives.org/2026/05/11/youll-never-walk-alone/
👉 Want to support OWL360? Visit https://www.owl360.org/ or meet Kelli at The Nest ☕
👉 Need support, or know a young person who does? Call (360) 344-2374 or email [email protected]

05/18/2026

What's the most valuable currency in community work? According to JCF Board Chair Kate Roosevelt, it's trust — and it's a practice, not a given. 🤝

In her latest message, Kate reflects on the "trust gap" affecting giving nationwide and why community foundations like JCF have a unique role to play as honest brokers — bringing people, ideas, and resources together right here in Jefferson County.

The good news? Trust is built one relationship, one conversation, one act of generosity at a time. And we get to practice it together.

👉 Read Kate's full message: https://jcfgives.org/2026/05/10/trust/

What does trust look like in your corner of Jefferson County? Tell us in the comments. 💬

Pictured: Kate Roosevelt, JCF Board Chair & Siobhan Canty, JCF President & CEO

04/30/2026

Friends don't let friends open Donor Advised Funds at national commercial investing companies. Time to bring your DAF home to Jefferson Community Foundation.

Both entities cited the Justice Department investigation into the civil rights organization in messages to its charitable account holders.

04/29/2026

🙌 It’s here! The JCF Impact Report for 2025!

It is an honor to share some of the remarkable work that many of you helped make possible through Jefferson Community Foundation over the last year.

Every day, the JCF team is out developing relationships throughout our community, connecting people, ideas and resources to build the future of Jefferson County. We weave people together and pool resources so we can all achieve more locally by working together. This weaving builds community connectivity and resilience and lifts up moments of opportunity where emerging needs can be met quickly.

In this report, you will read about some of the great examples of the kinds of projects and partnerships the JCF network of changemakers – including many of you - came together to address in 2025. All in all, in 2025, JCF worked with local changemakers to open 18 new donor advised funds, increase our charitable assets by an additional $1.8 million, and facilitate over 570 grants totaling over $2.15 million.

Local community philanthropy and engagement for local community resilience. We need it now more than ever. Thank you for being part of it and for helping build a future Jefferson County where everyone has the chance not only to survive but to thrive.

Onward,
Siobhan

Pick up a copy in this week's Port Townsend Leader or View the report online 👉https://jcfgives.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/JCF-2025-Impact-Report-web.pdf

If you want to stay up to date on JCF News, you an sign up for our monthly newsletter here 👉 https://jcfgives.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2d958d33b3a756c859d7fa262&id=11bafd4595

04/23/2026

Are you a nonprofit leader or community builder?

Join us for a Jefferson County nonprofit community mixer at the Newly Imagined Museum of Art + History.

Co-hosted by Jefferson Community Foundation and the Jefferson County Historical Society , this gathering offers staff and board members of local nonprofits a chance to connect over refreshments, enjoy touring the renovated museum, and explore a range of interactive and creative experiences throughout the space. Come gather to strengthen our local networks and to celebrate JCHS’s Grand Re-Opening of the Museum of Art + History.

Housed within the historic 1892 City Hall building in downtown Port Townsend, the Museum of Art + History highlights the region’s history and showcases local artists and curators through long-term and rotating exhibitions – blending art, history, and interactive programs for all ages.

📅 April 29th, 3:30-5:00pm
📍JCHS Museum of Art + History, 540 Water St. Port Townsend

LEARN MORE and RSVP:👉 https://jcfgives.org/event/nonprofit-community-mixer-at-the-museum-of-art-history/Fill out form

04/22/2026

🌎 Happy EARTH day!

Let's use this opportunity to consider our relationship to the planet that sustains us and to find ways to love the land where we live.

There is plenty we can each do to celebrate life on earth, to practice sustainability and to contribute to localized solutions right here in Jefferson County.

Locally, a range of organizations and community events throughout April are highlighting ways to learn and engage with care for the Earth. You can find a list of some of those events by clicking the link to our blog.

In addition, Jefferson Community Foundation is home to two community-advised funds that address local environmental issues: Olympic Climate Fund and the Quimper Parks and Trees Foundation Fund.

The Quimper Parks and Trees Foundation (QPTF) raises and grants money to local organizations that preserve, enhance and restore tree canopy in parks, schools and communities across the Quimper Peninsula. They work in collaboration with city and county parks departments, school districts and other no...

04/21/2026

Are you new to Jefferson County?

Want to learn more about the community landscape here?

Come to our next Newcomers Event!

Learn about local nonprofits working in areas like education, the arts, housing, conservation and more. Hear about ways to give and engage with real impact. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and meet others who are also new here.

📅 Thursday, April 30th I 9:30 -11:30 AM
📍 Jefferson Community Foundation Office – 2409-A Jefferson Street

RSVP: https://jcfgives.org/event/welcome-jefferson-county-newcomers-event/

Please share with someone new to Jefferson County! 💜

04/21/2026

Calling all nonprofit leaders and community builders.

Are you eagerly jumping into the wild world of AI? Are you dipping your technological toes in? Or avoiding it altogether? Join us at the Jefferson Community Foundation for a panel discussion on empowered and ethical use of AI tools and technology in the nonprofit sector. Topics will include: AI policy development, ethical considerations and best practices for nonprofit use. Featuring nonprofit professionals with experience and insights to share, from these local organizations:

- Ross Pruden, Director of Development at TThe Jefferson County Beacon- Dr. Nichol Preciado-Youngs, Director of Finance at Jefferson Community Foundation
- Xoe Huffman White , Human Resources Director at NNorthwest Maritime
Participants will leave with draft policy documents to tailor to your organizations.
CAl
📅 Wednesday, April 22nd at 3:30am – 5:00pm
📍JCF’s Nonprofit Resource Center – 2409-B Jefferson Street | Port Townsend, WA

✨ Free and open to the public for those interested in generative and gracious conversation!

RSVP 👉

Are you eagerly jumping into the wild world of AI? Are you dipping your technological toes in? Or avoiding it altogether? Join us at the Jefferson Community Foundation for a panel discussion on empowered and ethical use of AI tools and technology in the nonprofit sector. Topics will include: AI poli...

04/06/2026

Are you new to Jefferson County? or Do you know someone who is?
Want to learn more about the community landscape here?
Come to our next Newcomers Event!

Learn about local nonprofits working in areas like education, the arts, housing, conservation and more. Hear about ways to give and engage with real impact. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and meet others who are also new here.

📅 Thursday, April 30th I 9:30 -11:30 AM
📍 Jefferson Community Foundation Office – 2409-A Jefferson Street

👉 To register, please visit
https://jcfgives.org/event/welcome-jefferson-county-newcomers-event/