Support for initiatives that strengthen the presence of the arts, make the arts more accessible for everyone, and enhance the understanding of all types of arts and humanities across our peninsula communities.

Support for educational institutions, scholarships, and organizations that promote learning and education; including programs that improve the educational opportunities for children and adults both in and out of the classroom.

Support for programs and projects that improve our parks, trails and open space resources, promote environmental awareness and stewardship, and engage our community in the protection of our natural resources

Support for eligible youth, adults and seniors to participate in recreational programs and classes that foster human development and promote health and wellness, and for equipment and facilities essential to sustain such programs.

Support for programs that improve and promote philanthropy and volunteerism, maximize opportunities for special populations, protect the public, support public safety, disaster relief, and healthy neighborhoods.

General Fund donations are unrestricted and enable the Foundation to help address our region's changing needs by increasing discretionary grants and undertaking new community initiatives. These funds are vital for the work of your community's foundation and its support of the many local nonprofit organizations that enhance our quality of life.

The Heritage Fund is your opportunity to be part of something lasting. As an endowed fund, gifts are pooled together, invested and managed to ensure that contributions continue to give, year after year. Simplicity. Permanence. Flexibility. Your Heritage Fund gift will continue to provide community benefits forever.

The school provides a unique nature-based environment for children ages 2 to 6. Our teachers are certified in nature-based curriculum Growing Up WILD™, an early childhood education program that builds on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the environment.

Since 2004, EnviroCorps has provided people with self-directed opportunities to help maintain our community's public lands through Litter Patrols, Adopt-A-Road and Sponsor-A-Trail programs. Started by one of our community's great volunteer leaders, Vernon Young, EnviroCorps came under the Foundation's care in 2014 to help ensure the legacy of clean roadways and maintained public parks, trails and open space continues.

EnviroCorps has also supported numerous mentorships, high school senior projects, and court mandated community service initiatives.
Thanks for your support

For 23 years, over 140 GHOST artists have provided a free educational experience to over 20,000 visitors by inviting the community into artists' studios and workshops for demonstrations and one-on-one interaction. Your gift will help support the arts in our greater community and enable OST to continue bringing an intimate and diverse cultural experience to the community free of charge.

Over the past 25 years, the Gig Harbor Basket Brigade has provided area families in need with Thanksgiving Day meal baskets. Over 1,450 were prepared and delivered in 2017. Each basket has the message "This basket comes to you from someone who cares about you. All we ask is that you take care of yourself well enough to do this for someone else someday."

Since 2003, the Students of Distinction program has provided over $130,000 in post-secondary scholarships honoring more than 400 graduating seniors from the Peninsula School District. Your gift today will help build the permanent endowment, guaranteeing the perpetuity of the scholarship program. Every dollar makes a difference!

The future of our children is the most important investment our community can make. Launched on Earth Day 2013, the Fund was established to help bridge the early learning access gap in our greater peninsula community by opening the door to quality early childhood education to all area children. The Fund helps provide tuition assistance to area families in need.

Established in 2014, the community Recreation Scholarship Fund, helps give our community's youth in need the chance to participate in area sports programs by providing scholarships to eligible youth - so all may play, regardless of ability to pay.

The #Community Harvest project is an annual collaborative community-wide initiative that runs from Make A Difference Day in late October, each year. The goal: to raise needed food and funding to provide some 12,000 weekend meals to over 2,300 local children and families in need throughout the year.

The Lu Winsor Memorial Environmental grants program provides grants to area schools, organizations and agencies within the greater KGI watershed for projects focused on water quality, environmental education, watershed enhancement and restoration activities, parks, trails and agricultural lands.

The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize outstanding accomplishment by a member or members of the Cross Country team who have exemplified the values of commitment, integrity, goals and achievement that formed the basis of Coach Wingard’s coaching philosophy at Gig Harbor and Peninsula high schools. Annually, up to four scholarships will be awarded, two at Peninsula High School, two at Gig Harbor High School, provided sufficient funds are available, and qualified candidates are nominated. Annually, beginning in the 2014-15 school year, an equal number of scholarships will be made available to each high school.

Harbor Family Park and adjacent Knight Forest is a multi-use community park in the Artondale/Cromwell area. The Boundless™ Playground at Sehmel Homestead Park exceeds ADA requirements, is a place where children of all abilities can play. The Endowment will help assure the playground is maintained and kept clean and safe for all children to enjoy.