Featured Success
The Foundation makes a difference in the lives of individuals and advanced early learning by granting funds to community coalitions across Washington State. Our support does not stop with funding, as the Foundation provides technical assistance, workshops and resources to enable these community coalitions to make the greatest impact. Below are a selection of recent grants.
First Five FUNdamentals of Pierce County
Counties: Pierce County
Children 0-5 served: 25,000
Foundation Grant: $15,000 (Stage 3 Coalition-Building Grant)
Funds Leveraged: $1,050,000
"Our coalition is new enough that almost all of our energy has been invested in kids who are not yet in kindergarten.”
- Kelly Phanco, Coalition Lead
First Five FUNdamentals of Pierce County
Coalition Background
The First Five FUNdamentals of Pierce County coalition (formerly referred to as "Pierce County Linkages") includes eleven communities where school districts, child care and early learning providers, and families are working together to promote “a continuum of learning” for all children in their communities. The eleven districts are: Bethel, Dieringer, Peninsula, Tacoma, Sumner, Clover Park, Puyallup, University Place, Fife, Franklin Pierce, and Steilacoom.
Demographics
Pop: 700,820 Under 5: 49,861
Median Income: $52,098
Families below poverty line: 7.5 %
Bachelor's degree: 20.6 %
Leveraged Funds
Coupled with the Foundation’s stage-three coalition-building grant of $25,000, First Five FUNdamentals of Pierce County has able to secure over a million dollars in leveraged funds including grants from the following donors and organizations: United Way Of Pierce County $250,000, Rainier Pacific $20,000, Tapco $5,000, Dorothy Lewis Financial Insights $5,000, Steve and Donna Albers $5,000, Michael Rogers $5,000, Concrete Technology $5,000, Michael A. and Mary Jo Tucci $25,000, Total Ocean Trailer Express $25,000, City Of Tacoma $150,000, Columbia Bank $5,000, Russell $50,000, The Boeing Company $75,000, Pierce County $10,000, Key Bank $5,000, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 360,000, City Of Lakewood $50,000.
Current Focus
First Five FUNdamentals of Pierce County is focused on home visiting. These services receive the largest amount of funding from the coalition. The second largest investment is in addressing quality improvement for child care.
Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning
Counties: Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens CountiesChildren 0-5 served: n/a
Foundation Grant: $25,000 (Stage 4 Coalition-Building Grant)
Funds Leveraged:
$2,000,000
"We have increased the bond for kindergarten transition with our school districts in the collation.”
- Kathy Thamm– Coalition Lead
Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning
Demographics
Pop: 517,290 Under 5: 52,988
Median Income: $42,225
Families below poverty line: 11.12 %
Bachelor's degree: 17.34%
Leveraged Funds
Coupled with the Foundation’s stage-four coalition grant of $25,000, the Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning Coalition has been able to acquire $2 million ($1m grant and $1m matching) in funding from the Bill & Gates Foundation Our Kids, Resilient and Ready 3-year grant, and from community member contributions.
Current Focus
The Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning Coalition is currently developing the coalition’s communications efforts so that the coalition can effectively communicate with the business community in their fundraising efforts.
The coalition is also interested increasing its presence in both urban and rural areas through social networking opportunities, establishing stronger media connections, strengthening grassroots input in the planning process, and by using the Kids Matter framework as a planning tool.


