The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound logo

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound

Public charity · Grantmaker Olympia, WA EIN: 94-3121390 Website

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound is a public charity based in Olympia, Washington. Founded in 1989, it manages charitable gifts and awards grants and scholarships to support communities in Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties.

Key facts about The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound

In short: The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound gave $4.1M across 121 grants in 2024 (avg $34K), mostly in Washington. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
94-3121390
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$4,104,736
Grants made (2024)
121
Average grant
$33,923
Median grant
$14,000
New grantees (estimate)
37% first-time grantees (45 of 121, 2024)
Total assets
$44,097,065
Primary geography
Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply
The Foundation directs applicants to the specific grant program for its priorities and application details. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$44.1M

+13.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$4.1M

+95.0% YoY

Grant Count

121

+16.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$34K

+67.6% YoY

Is The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound open to new grantees?

37%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 45 of 121 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $37K. How we count

Medians: $14K first-time, $15K repeat.

  • 51% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 75% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation’s mission is “to grow a lasting culture of generosity and well-being in the South Puget Sound through connection, leadership, and investment.” Its stated funding scope includes nonprofit activities ranging from arts and basic needs to the environment, as well as education, cultural, health, social, and civic development.

Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. United Way of Thurston County says its mission is to mobilize community support for health, education, and financial stability. Mason County Housing Options for Students in Transition describes its work as providing housing matching, education and employment support, and community resources to youth experiencing homelessness. Capitol Land Trust says it conserves and cares for lands and waters in the South Puget Sound and Chehalis Basin watersheds. Thurston County Food Bank says its mission is to end hunger in its community.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 121 grants totaling $4,104,736. Grant amounts ranged from $5,176 to $320,928, with a median of $14,000. The largest awards included $320,928 to United Way of Thurston County, $254,358 to Boys & Girls Club Thurston, $239,994 to Mason County HOST, and $163,734 to Griffin School Foundation. These grants were listed for operating purposes.

The Foundation’s website describes Community Grants as broad, flexible funding for organizations contributing to social, health, and environmental well-being. Its stated review priorities include impact, service in or for the three-county region, accountability to communities served, partnerships, and equity. The 2025 Community Grants awards were expected to total approximately $400,000, with typical awards of $1,500–$7,500 and most grants unrestricted. The website says the program will open for new applications in 2027.

Other listed opportunities include Youth Mental Health Grants & Learning Cohort, Project Connect: Civic Life & Belonging Grants, and scholarship programs. The Youth Mental Health cohort description says participating local organizations receive $10,000 for training and collaborative learning, with an opportunity to apply for collaborative grants at the end of the program.

How to Apply

The Foundation directs applicants to the specific grant program for its priorities and application details. Community Grants applicants must have current 501(c)(3) public charity status or be fiscally sponsored by an eligible 501(c)(3) organization.

Open Grants

12 open opportunities from The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation states that it serves Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties. Its 2024 filing data reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington state.

Grant Distribution by State

15states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 121 itemized grants.

Cities

OlympiaLaceySheltonSeattleTumwaterChehalisBelfairCentraliaTacomaWestportTeninoYelmBellinghamUnionCheneyMatlockRochesterSpokaneMortonPullman

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M179 grants2019 118 grants2020 105 grants2021 107 grants2022 104 grants2023 121 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2019) to $4.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 121 grants totaling $4.1M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

United Way of Thurston County: $321KUnited Way of Thurston County$321KBoys & Girls Club Thurston: $254KBoys & Girls Club Thurston$254KMason County HOST: $240KMason County HOST$240KGriffin School Foundation: $164KGriffin School Foundation$164KCapitol Land Trust: $153KCapitol Land Trust$153KThurston County Food Bank: $136KThurston County Food Bank$136KSouth Puget Sound H4H: $113KSouth Puget Sound H4H$113KConcern for Animals: $96KConcern for Animals$96KSafePlace: $76KSafePlace$76KPuget Sound Estuarium: $75KPuget Sound Estuarium$75K

The largest 2024 recipient was United Way of Thurston County ($321K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.

Grant Size Distribution

555 grants across all recorded years

507<$50K35$50–100K9$100–250K4$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 507 grants of 555 (91%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
United Way of Thurston County Olympia, WAOperating$320,928
Boys & Girls Club Thurston Olympia, WAOperating$254,358
Mason County HOST Shelton, WAOperating$239,994
Griffin School Foundation Olympia, WAOperating$163,734
Capitol Land Trust Tumwater, WAOperating$152,973
Thurston County Food Bank Olympia, WAOperating$136,298
South Puget Sound H4H Olympia, WAOperating$113,390
Concern for Animals Olympia, WAOperating$95,657
SafePlace Olympia, WAOperating$75,922
Puget Sound Estuarium Olympia, WAOperating$75,011

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $44,097,065 $18,466,883 $5,586,861 $4,104,736
2023 $38,752,707 $4,150,663 $3,596,445 $2,104,803
2022 $34,682,709 $3,947,638 $4,088,447 $2,327,523
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$10M$20M$30M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$44,097,065$38,752,707$34,682,709
Revenue$18,466,883$4,150,663$3,947,638
Expenses$5,586,861$3,596,445$4,088,447
Net Investment Income$11,097,290$1,085,279$1,148,347

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 1, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 30, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 4, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 9, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 8, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 17, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Mindie Reule as President & CEO. The listed officers and directors are Teresa Loo, Chair; Katie Rains, Past Chair; Julie Cooke, Vice Chair; Renee Radcliff Sinclair, Secretary; Josh Deck, Treasurer; and directors Robert Bradley, Zahid Chaudry, Dan Jones, and Craig Ottavelli.

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound is led by Mindie Reule, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Mindie Reule

    President & CEO

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $67K (2019) → $126K (2024)

  • Teresa Loo

    Chair

    Director → Vice Chair, 2023

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dan Jones

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Charlie Terminelli

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Craig Ottavelli

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Stormans

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Bradley

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Zahid Chaudry

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Todd Shobert

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alejandro Sanchez

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Austin Ramirez

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Courtney Prothero

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Katya Miltimore

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nicole Miller

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Josh Deck

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2022

    On filings since 2019

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Katie Rains

    Past Chair

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2023

    Chair → Past Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Julie Cooke

    Vice Chair

    Director → Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Renee Radcliff Sinclair

    Secretary

    Director → Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (16)
  • Former: Janet McLane (2019–2023) — Secretary
  • Former: Jim Morrell (2019–2023) — Past Chair & Director
  • Former: Kelsey Hulse (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Mary Williams (2019–2022) — Past Chair
  • Former: Melanie Bakala (2019–2022) — Director
  • Former: Brent Dille (2022) — Director
  • Former: Amy Evans (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Joe Lynch (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: John Clees (2019–2021) — Treasurer
  • Former: Marty Juergens (2019–2021) — Treasurer
  • Former: Meg Vanschoorl (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Stacie-Dee Motoyama (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Stefani Parsons (2019–2020) — Past Chair
  • Former: Dae Shoegren (2019) — Director
  • Former: Norma Schuiteman (2019) — President & CEO
  • Former: Rebecca Staebler (2019) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Mindie Reule — President & CEO: $126KMindie ReulePresident & CEO$126K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $126K, to Mindie Reule (President & CEO).

Contact

Mailing address: 212 Union Ave Se 102, Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 705-3340
Website: https://thecommunityfoundation.com

Frequently asked questions about The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound

How much does The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound give each year?

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound gave $4.1M across 121 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 104 grants.

What is The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound's typical grant size?

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound's median grant in 2024 was $14,000, and its average grant was $33,923, across 121 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound that year got $28K on average.

Where does The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound give grants?

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Olympia, WA (65 grants), Lacey, WA (12 grants), Shelton, WA (6 grants) and Tacoma, WA (6 grants).

Does The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (121 of 121) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Who are The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound's largest grantees?

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound's largest 2024 grantees include United Way of Thurston County ($320,928), Boys & Girls Club Thurston ($254,358) and Mason County HOST ($239,994), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound?

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound reported $44.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.5M.

What does The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound fund?

The Foundation’s mission is “to grow a lasting culture of generosity and well-being in the South Puget Sound through connection, leadership, and investment.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound?

The Foundation directs applicants to the specific grant program for its priorities and application details. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound's EIN?

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3121390. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

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