The vision of the Trials Legacy Committee is to commemorate the first-ever Women’s Marathon Trials for the Olympics in a way that fosters ongoing community awareness. The committee will commemorate the 40 year anniversary of the trials held in Olympia in 1984, with celebrations held May 16-19, 2024. Honored guests include Olympians Joan Benoit Samuelson, Julie Brown, Sister Marion Irvine and Olympian Frank Shorter.

The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County is to inspire and enable youth to realize their greatness and reach their full potential. They believe all children and teens, no matter who they are or where they are from, deserve the chance to create a great future for themselves. The Clubs are available during out-of-school hours, and during school breaks, to help inspire and guide youth in a positive direction through academic enrichment, service leadership and healthy lifestyle activities.

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals and families to help build or improve a place they can call home, and find the stability and security they need for a better future.

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International that develops and builds affordable housing communities in Thurston County.  It is an autonomous, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is governed locally, raises funds locally, and builds locally.

Morningside provides the training, coaching, and employment services that build the self-sufficiency and self-esteem of people with disabilities. They envision a world where people with disabilities have the same opportunities for employment and self-sufficiency as all other community members.

Masterworks Choral Ensemble is an adult Southwest Washington chorus dedicated to performance, community service, music education and leadership in the arts. Their mission is to perform sacred and secular choral, orchestral and new commissioned works; to collaborate with other arts groups; to participate in community service activities; and to provide a leadership in developing, sponsoring and broadening the vocal arts.

The Humane Society of Mason County is a non-profit organization providing assistance and care to displaced or abused animals including control of pet and feral population.  Additionally, the organization is working to provide an animal shelter for unwanted companion animals.

Dry Tikes & Wet Wipes’ mission is to ensure emergency access to diapers and wipes for households in Thurston and surrounding counties. They are a completely volunteer-run organization and on average, are giving out 13,000-14,000 diapers monthly to families in Thurston County. 

The Thurston EDC’s mission is to create a dynamic and sustainable economy that supports the values of the people who live and work in Thurston County. At the foundation of the work they do are three main principles: recruit, retain and expand. Their vision is that Thurston County has a prosperous economy that provides employment, cultural, educational, and investment opportunities that create a sustainable and vibrant community.

The Bridge Music Project teaches youth how music and writing can be used as tools to deal with life’s challenges. This work is done through songwriting workshops across Thurston County, where youth work as teams to write, record, and perform original music that shares their stories. Their mission is to help youth develop community, resiliency, self-understanding, and acceptance.

Pizza Klatch is a support group for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies that is held in classrooms during lunchtime at participating high schools. Each group is run by two trained adult co-facilitators who are members of the LGBTQ+ community or allies. Their mission is to foster resilience in LGBTQ+ youth and create a safe and positive school experience through support, education and empowerment.

The Mayday Foundation provides immediate, practical financial support to local families coping with cancer while raising kids at home. The Mayday Foundation focuses on assisting Thurston, Grays Harbor and Lewis County families avoid financial toxicity and decrease the chances of bankruptcy.  Their goal is to maintain a sense of normalcy for the children and keep families intact, in their own homes.

Nisqually Land Trust’s mission is to protect and steward lands to permanently benefit the water, fish, wildlife and people of the Nisqually River Watershed. Donations support their efforts to make a positive impact by restoring and protecting wildlife habitats and enhancing the natural beauty of our region. The Land Trust’s Roots in the Ground campaign will plant native trees, shrubs and wildflowers along the Nisqually River shoreline.

The Oly Soccer Foundation helps create access to youth soccer opportunities for low-income kids in our area. The foundation helps cover the registration costs to participate in local area leagues and programs and also helps pay for equipment like shoes and shin guards.

Rebuilding Together Thurston County provides free home repairs and handicap modifications for low-income homeowners and nonprofit facilities. They serve low-income homeowners who are elderly, disabled, families with children and veterans in need. Rebuilding Together Thurston County was founded in 2003 by the Olympia Remodelers Council and other volunteers and is part of the Rebuilding Together national organization, with over 130 affiliates across the country.

The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Foundation engages community and builds resources to support success for all students. Their aim is to bridge the gap between a high-quality education and what students can afford. The MLK Scholarship supports student diversity and equity at SPSCC.

The mission of the Thurston County Food Bank is to eliminate hunger within our community, in the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor. The organization’s service area includes the urban core of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, their surrounding growth areas and underserved parts of Thurston County. To reduce access barriers, the Thurston County Food Bank, in collaboration with community partners, operates eighteen satellite Food Banks.

Our Ark is a Thurston County community-based nonprofit that works directly with homeless street youth and young adults, ages 13-25. They provide street outreach, mentorship, job, and life skills training, as well as self-esteem building through consistent, nonjudgmental support from volunteers, neighborhood groups, and other agencies and organizations.

The organization’s primary goal is to break the cycles of homelessness for street youth and young adults through advocacy, training, and mentorship.

Turning Point Advocacy Center provides safety and support for sexual and domestic abuse survivors through advocacy, prevention education and action for social change. The organization has been providing shelter and services for victims of domestic violence including women, children, men and family pets since 2000.

Morningside provides the training, coaching, and employment services that build the self-sufficiency and self-esteem of people with disabilities. The organization envisions a world where people with disabilities have the same opportunities for employment and self-sufficiency as all other community members.

The Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA) is instrumental in building a vibrant, clean and safe community for businesses and people to thrive. The organization focuses on economic development, advocacy, imagemaking, community events, business recruitment and retention and so much more!

The Hawk Foundation for Research and Education in African Culture dedicates itself to the promotion of education, holistic health and trauma healing in the African American community, with recognition that when one is healed it touches those around them.

Help Us Move In (HUMI) is on a mission helping children to escape homelessness by engaging communities in sustainable solutions.

The organization works with community agencies that provide services to families at risk or experiencing homelessness by offering a unique matching grant opportunity.

This month all debit card transactions will support Catholic Community Services Arrest and Jail Alternative program, which uses peer case managers and mental health professionals to assist Olympia community members who are deeply marginalized based on multiple intersecting identities including homelessness, addiction, disability, and criminal justice involvement.

Certified Peer Counselor staff draw upon their shared life experience in order to offer empowering, non-judgmental support to individuals who have been traditionally let down by systems of care.

The program’s goals include reducing recidivism, financial strain on the criminal justice system, and inappropriate utilization of emergency services.

The Bridge Music Project teaches youth how music and writing can be used as tools to deal with life’s challenges. This work is done through songwriting workshops across Thurston County, where youth work as teams to write, record, and perform original music that shares their stories. Their mission is to help youth develop community, resiliency, self-understanding, and acceptance.

Empowerment 4 Girls affirms the self-worth of all girls. The organization envisions a just world where all youth are confident, resilient, and resourceful. Through empowerment camps and programs, girls in our community develop leaderships skills, confidence, health habits and physical, mental and emotional strength for well-being.

The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County is to inspire and enable youth to realize their greatness and reach their full potential. They believe all children and teens, no matter who they are or where they are from, deserve the chance to create a great future for themselves. The Clubs are available during out-of-school hours, and during school breaks, to help inspire and guide youth in a positive direction through academic enrichment, service leadership and healthy lifestyles activities. This year Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The mission of the PARC Foundation of Thurston County is to preserve the quality of life in Thurston County through enhancing parks, arts, recreation and cultural activities.

As a former resident of Spokane, Washington, James Reddick was aware that the 1951 formation of the Spokane Parks Foundation stimulated millions of dollars in support of parks for the citizens of Spokane. Following several introductory discussions with local park departments in 1995, the PARC Foundation of Thurston County was established using the Spokane Parks Foundation as a model. 

The PARC Foundation of Thurston County is dedicated to preserving the vital green spaces of our natural surroundings, expanding and supporting works of art and artists in our community, ensuring all citizens have access to recreational opportunities and celebrating cultural activity in Thurston County.

Helping to ensure our North Mason community residents are adequately nourished, the Food Bank has been serving our community since 1982. The North Mason Food Bank (NMFB) mission is to eliminate hunger in our community. They are governed by a  community led Board of Directors and serve the north end of Mason County encompassing Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview and Tahuya. NMFB is run by volunteers, who’s goals are to serve and give back to their community.

The Strophy Foundation provides financial support and coordination to the Thurston County therapeutic court programs, including Veterans, Mental Health, Family Recovery, Safe Baby, and Drug/DUI court programs. The programs are supported by a combination of state, federal and grant funding and often experience “gaps.” The Strophy Foundation fills in these gaps with the goal that no participant of the court programs will experience failure due to lacking the proper shoes for a new job, childcare during an interview, or a GED certificate.

The mission of the Rochester Organization of Families (ROOF) is to address community needs by providing resources and services to children, youth and families to achieve a healthy, positive, and drug-free community in the Rochester area.

The Little Red Schoolhouse Project (“LRS”) is designed to serve families in need, foster and homeless children in Thurston County, sending them “back to school with pride.” The organization is committed to providing, at no cost, school supplies, backpacks, new and gently used coats/sweatshirts, and new socks and underwear to families in need so children can begin the school year with their basic needs for school.

GRuB grows healthy food, people, and community. With roots in the land, they create opportunities for people to learn, lead, and thrive. Each year, GRuB directly engages approximately 1,500 Thurston County residents of all ages in relationships-based programming around growing & preparing good food. They primarily work with marginalized young people with low incomes and/or behavioral and disciplinary indicators of high ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) scores, families with low incomes, students, seniors experiencing hunger, tribal communities, and veterans. This month GRuB celebrates their 20th anniversary and we’re excited to be able to honor all their success and community impact in such a meaningful way.

Since 1996, CIELO has been providing hope to immigrants in Thurston, Lewis and Mason counties. CIELO educates, empowers, and connects people with the resources they need to create better lives for themselves and achieve their dreams. These resources include: education for all ages; counseling services; and advocacy for those who have been victims of crimes.

​CIELO is more than just a resource center. The organization is a community hub where people form strong bonds with other immigrants, staff, and the over 150 volunteers who make CIELO’s work possible.

The Learning Seed Foundation believes education is the pathway to achieving dreams. The Foundation is especially interested in assisting students of color in Thurston and Pierce Counties with financial needs that could prevent them from continuing their education. The Learning Seed Foundation focuses on good students with an interest in serving their communities who can often be overlooked for scholarships. Those who demonstrate financial need and reasonable progress toward graduation are eligible for renewable annual scholarships.

The Olympia School District Education Foundation (OSDEF) removes barriers and enhances educational success for all OSD students. OSDEF Accomplishes this through six different initiatives: 1.) Mental Health, 2.) Middle School Math Tutoring, 3.) Performing Arts, 4.) Principal’s Emergency Fund, 5.) Teaching & Learning Grants, and 6.) Outdoor Education at Cispus Learning Center.

Rebuilding Together Thurston County is a nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs and handicap modifications for ​low-income homeowners and nonprofit facilities. The organization serves low-income homeowners who are elderly, disabled, families with children, and veterans in need. Rebuilding Together Thurston County was founded in 2003 by the Olympia Remodelers Council and other volunteers and is part of the Rebuilding Together national organization, with over 130 affiliates across the country.

In 1986 Harmony Hill began with Gretchen Schodde’s dream to create a retreat center where people could experience renewal and deep well-being. Today, the organization serves thousands every year: people living with cancer, seeking a retreat from daily life or wanting to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Quixote Village provides permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness.  They create and manage tiny home villages that foster community, encourage personal growth, and promote access to the care and services residents need.

The Salvation Army of Olympia is committed to doing the most good for the most people in the most need. The Salvation Army accomplishes this mission through a broad array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities to underprivileged children.

Homeless Backpacks is a non-profit 501c3 corporation committed to ending homelessness, by giving teens the help they need so they can focus on school, go on to graduate and become contributing citizens.

The organization provides food for the weekend to homeless teens in Thurston county. Some teens are in government-supported meal programs during the school day, but on their own on the weekend. Each week, volunteers deliver food bags to local middle and high schools in Lacey, Tumwater and Olympia, as well as K-12 in Yelm, Rainier, Tenino and Rochester.

Each bag has enough food for the weekend, including macaroni & cheese, tuna, ravioli, ramen noodles, chili, fruit cups, granola bars, oatmeal, peanut butter, chocolate milk and assorted snacks.

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.

Founded in 1989, SPS Habitat serves the very-low income families whose dream is to own their own homes and self determine their own futures.

Working with donors and volunteers, SPS Habitat Develops and builds affordable housing communities in Thurston County.

To date SPS Habitat for Humanity has completed four developments and more than 50 houses. They are currently building Deyoe Vista, a 33 single family home development in Lacey and are starting to work on a new townhouse community in Tumwater.

Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS) provides free legal advice and information for civil (non-criminal) matters to low-income residents of Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.  The organization’s volunteer attorneys can advise clients by appointment at free evening legal clinics in Olympia, Shelton, Aberdeen, and South Bend.

It takes a village to raise a child. For thousands of children each year, South Sound YMCA is that village. This year, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the YMCA cancelled their annual fundraising auction.

The pandemic is creating a much greater need for us to come together as a community – as a village. Since mid-March, the South Sound Y has led our region in safely implementing childcare programs that enable children to thrive, parents to work, and our community to stay safe. With nearly a quarter of childcare facilities closing statewide, the Y’s services are more important than ever. Our support through the Two Cent Campaign ensures all families can access this care.

Medical expenses are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in America.  Even with health insurance, local families are impacted by the unexpected expenses associated with a cancer diagnosis.  The Mayday Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides immediate, practical financial support for Thurston, Lewis and Grays Harbor families coping with cancer while raising kids at home.

We believe no family should be forced out of their home or to file for bankruptcy as a result of a cancer diagnosis.

The Mayday Foundation wants to see a world without cancer-related financial toxicity.

Dry Tikes & Wet Wipes is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Olympia, designed to supplement the diaper needs of low income families. Helping babies one diaper at a time.

Interfaith Works (IW) is a non-profit association of faith communities and individuals of diverse faith traditions.

The organization has a long-standing history of bringing the human and financial resources of our local faith communities together with business and government agencies for the benefit of those in need.

Behavioral Health Resources supports and strengthens individuals, families and the community by promoting mental health and substance use disorder recovery.

Mental health and addiction recovery are integral to overall community health. Through treatment, education and advocacy, BHR is a leader in addressing and meeting the changing needs of our community.

Yelm Dollars for Scholars helps its hometown students achieve their educational goals by raising scholarship funds, establishing endowments, providing assistance with college readiness and the financial aid process and distributing scholarships each year. Each year Dollars for Scholars  consistently provides more than $100,000 in scholarships to Yelm High School seniors.

The Learning Seed Foundation believes education is the pathway to achieving dreams. The Foundation is especially interested in assisting students of color in Thurston and Pierce Counties with financial needs that could prevent them from continuing their education. The Learning Seed Foundation focuses on good students with an interest in serving their communities who can often be overlooked for scholarships. Those who demonstrate financial need and reasonable progress toward graduation are eligible for renewable annual scholarships.

North Mason Resources, located in Belfair,  assists individuals in navigating to an improved, healthy and safe, lifestyle. The organization’s key objectives are:

• To help each client achieve self-sufficiency
• To partner with appropriate public and private organizations to meet the mission
• To raise the overall health of our community
• To reduce the number of homeless individuals in our area
• To act as a conduit for supplies and information to individuals and entities within our community
• To become a community where citizens work in cooperation to help those in need

For over 37 years Concern for Animals has helped thousands of animals in Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties by providing services including but not limited to:

• Financial assistance for spay/neuter
• Financial assistance for veterinary medical care
• Pet Food Bank
• Adoption & Rescue

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound serves as a catalyst for charitable giving in Thurston, Lewis and Mason counties.

Since 1989, community residents have utilized the foundation to make their charitable gifts more effective. They provide maximum flexibility in establishing, managing, and distributing donor gifts.

Through their donors’ generosity, they  support a wide variety of arts, education, health and human services, and environmental projects. They are one of the premier local sources for comprehensive charitable gift planning.

The Olympia Union Gospel Mission began its work with the homeless and needy in 1995 through a street ministry outreach. Sandwiches and hot drinks were offered in an atmosphere of love and acceptance. The organization’s goal was and still is to share God’s love in practical ways.

Today, the Olympia Union Gospel Mission has numerous programs. Hundreds of men and women are served each week and OUGM is still sharing God’s love in practical ways. At the same time, the mission works to help individuals break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Since April 1990, Homes First has worked to increase the supply of affordable housing for community members in need.  Homes First has purchased a variety of houses and apartments or duplexes and rehabilitated them.  They continue to search for opportunities to partner with the local community to purchase and provide housing for the most vulnerable in Thurston County.  They also work with variety of other non-profit organizations to provide housing and services for developmentally disabled community members and others who need a little extra support.

Family Education and Support Services (FESS) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) agency governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the diverse sectors of the populations they serve. Originally incorporated in 1984, the organization’s mission is “To inspire healthy child development through the provision of quality family support services.”

Lasting personal and social change comes when we all work together. Every day, the South Sound YMCA works side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. This means providing our community with affordable resources for positive development, recreation, health and beyond.

The Mission of Child Care Action Council is to promote and nurture early learning communities where children and families thrive.

The organization’s vision is to serve communities where children are the focus and we all work together to assure that:

• Quality child care is accessible for all who need it
• Professional development for child care providers results in high quality child care
• Communities are engaged in supporting child care and early learning
• Parent education is provided throughout communities

Enterprise for Equity has been helping people with limited-incomes and others start small businesses since 1999.

It’s the vision of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington that every child in our community realize their fullest potential.  They believe, together we can make that happen.  Your investment in our community, especially in ways that give kids a safer place to grow up, makes a BIG difference and that’s a BIG deal!

GRuB grows healthy food, people, and community. With roots in the land, the organization creates opportunities for people to learn, lead, and thrive. GRuB envisions an equitable world where we are all nourished by healthy relationships, resilient community, and good food.

Each year, GRuB directly engages approximately 650 Thurston County residents of all ages in relationships-based programming around growing & preparing good food. GRuB primarily works with marginalized young people with low incomes and/or behavioral and disciplinary indicators of high ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) scores, families with low incomes, students, seniors experiencing hunger, tribal communities, and veterans.

CYS, a United Way affiliate, has been a successful and established non-profit in downtown Olympia for more than 45 years, providing an array of services to help a wide range of youth: those in foster care, those who need help finishing their educations or getting a job or finding a safe place to live, and those seeking meaningful ways to connect with society in a positive way.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County provide safe places for youth in our community to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals; life enhancing programs; character development experiences; hope; and opportunity. The Clubs provide a wealth of programs and activities to prepare kids and teens for real-world success. They believe by focusing on Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles, youth we serve will be better prepared to graduate from high school, go onto college, and thrive as adults.

Family Support Center of South Sound is a nonprofit 501c3 multi-service agency located in Olympia, Washington, founded in 1992 to provide families and survivors of violence with coordinated, supportive services in one centralized location.

It is the mission of the Thurston County Food Bank to eliminate hunger within our community.

The Thurston County Food Bank is governed by a Board of Directors, all community members. The organization’s service area includes the urban core of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, their surrounding growth areas and underserved parts of Thurston County. To reduce access barriers, the Thurston County Food Bank, in collaboration with community partners, operates eighteen satellite Food Banks.

The organization also operates mobile food banks at nine low income neighborhoods, primarily mobile home parks and apartment complexes. In partnership with four school districts, the Food Bank distributes weekend food bags at thirty three elementary schools and one Head Start Program. These school programs target homeless children. To promote childhood nutrition, the Food Bank currently supports three school gardens. The organization’s main location in downtown Olympia provides food using the client choice model which allows families to choose the food they want instead of receiving a pre-made bag.