Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $19+ million (2024), $11.7 million (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (grants to preselected organizations only)
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $578,000
• Geographic Focus: Pierce County, Washington

Contact Details

Website: www.gtcf.org
Phone: 253-383-5622
Email: info@gtcf.org
Address: 950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 1100, Tacoma, WA 98402

Overview

Founded on June 1, 1981, the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation (GTCF) is one of Washington state's largest grantmakers with over $202 million in assets under management. The foundation manages more than 600 individual, family, and agency funds and has distributed over $150 million throughout its history. With a mission of "connecting people, knowledge, and funding to build a thriving Pierce County," GTCF distributed over $19 million in 2024 alone. The foundation operates with a strategic commitment to creating "a racially equitable, accessible, inclusive Pierce County, now and for generations to come" and has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator with a perfect 100% score.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Discretionary Grants: $5,000 - $578,000 (awarded to preselected organizations)
• Youth Philanthropy Board: Historically $75,000 distributed to youth-serving organizations
• Spark Grants (Discontinued): Previously offered micro-grants up to $1,500

Priority Areas

GTCF's strategic framework (adopted July 2022) focuses on catalyzing community identification and removal of system barriers rooted in racism through four building blocks:

• Housing: Supporting affordable housing and housing stability
• Thriving Children and Youth: Youth development and educational opportunities
• Access to Capital: Economic empowerment and financial inclusion
• Civic Voice and Power: Civic engagement and advocacy

What They Don't Fund

• Capital projects
• Event sponsorships

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Kathi Littmann, Ed.D (since 2015)
Board Chair: Sheila Edwards Lange (University of Washington Tacoma)
Vice-Chair: Lance Goodpaster (Superintendent, Franklin Pierce Schools)
Chief Financial Officer: Mohammad Mousa
Chief Impact Officer: Seth Kirby

Kathi Littmann on their investment philosophy: "After our extensive evaluation process and after talking with a number of other foundations across the country, it was clear that Vanguard was the best choice for helping us achieve our investment goals."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation currently does not have any open funding opportunities. All grants are awarded to preselected organizations. They only offer competitive application processes for opportunities exceeding $100,000 when available.

To prepare for future opportunities:

1. Complete the GTCF Funding Inquiry Contact Form to be notified of future opportunities
2. Join the GTCF Nonprofit Directory (for 501(c)3 nonprofits serving Pierce County)
3. Contact staff members directly through email addresses linked on their team page
4. General inquiries: info@gtcf.org or 253-383-5622

Getting on Their Radar

• Join the GTCF Nonprofit Directory to be added to their email distribution list for funding announcements
• Complete the Funding Inquiry Contact Form to express interest and be notified of opportunities
• Build relationships with GTCF staff members through direct outreach
• Participate in GTCF community events and initiatives when announced
• Engage with their Local Advisory Teams that guide funding decisions

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified as grants are currently awarded to preselected organizations rather than through competitive processes.

Success Rates

Success rate metrics are not applicable as GTCF currently awards grants to preselected organizations rather than through competitive application processes.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not documented in publicly available materials. Organizations should contact GTCF directly regarding reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

Since GTCF currently awards grants to preselected organizations, success factors focus on relationship-building and alignment:

• Demonstrate alignment with one or more of GTCF's four strategic building blocks (Housing, Thriving Children and Youth, Access to Capital, Civic Voice and Power)
• Embrace trust-based philanthropy practices including community-led solutions and commitments to racial equity
• Build relationships proactively - Since grants go to preselected organizations, establishing connections with GTCF staff before opportunities arise is crucial
• Show collaborative potential - GTCF values its role as a connector and may align funding from multiple sources
• Focus on system-level change - GTCF prioritizes removing system barriers rooted in racism rather than temporary fixes
• Engage with Local Advisory Teams - These community members guide funding decisions and can champion promising solutions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• GTCF does not currently have open competitive grant opportunities - all grants go to preselected organizations
• Join the Nonprofit Directory and complete the Funding Inquiry Form to be notified when opportunities arise
• Focus organizational work on one or more of the four strategic building blocks for best alignment
• Relationship-building with GTCF staff is essential since grants are awarded to preselected partners
• The foundation follows trust-based philanthropy practices emphasizing racial equity and community-led solutions
• Only competitive opportunities exceeding $100,000 may be opened for application when available
• GTCF recently received $4.9 million from Washington State to support Community Reinvestment Projects in Pierce County

References

• Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Official Website - www.gtcf.org (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• GTCF Funding Page - https://www.gtcf.org/connect/funding/ (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• GTCF Team Page - https://www.gtcf.org/about/gtcf-team/ (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• GTCF Mission & History - https://www.gtcf.org/about/mission-history/ (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• GTCF 2023 Funding Recipients - https://www.gtcf.org/2023-funding-recipients/ (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• Charity Navigator Rating - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/911007459 (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/911007459 (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/91-1007459 (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy Profile - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/washington-grants/greater-tacoma-community-foundation (Accessed January 22, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=TACO002 (Accessed January 22, 2026)