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    5. United Way of Pierce County
    United Way of Pierce County logo

    United Way of Pierce County

    ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
    Tacoma, WAWebsite2532724263

    About United Way of Pierce County

    We mobilize and unite the caring power of Pierce County to tackle our community’s toughest challenges to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways. We unite the community to end poverty, one family at a time.

    Focus Areas

    Poverty alleviationFinancial stability and coachingBasic needs (food, shelter, healthcare)Housing securityEarly childhood literacyYouth opportunityAdvocacy and systems changeGuaranteed cash assistance / basic income pilots

    Who They Fund

    familiescommunity-based family service centerslocal community members served by Centers for Strong Families

    About United Way of Pierce County

    United Way of Pierce County’s grantmaking is organized around ending poverty one family at a time, with funding directed to local agencies and initiatives that help children, families, and individuals meet basic needs and build financial stability. Its Center for Strong Families work is a defining part of that approach, linking community partners around coaching, benefits navigation, workforce supports, and asset-building services. In the recent grants list, that network support appears at scale through multi-site capacity grants to Sound Outreach for three Center for Strong Families locations and to Tacoma Housing Authority for Center for Strong Families work. The foundation also backs community-based service organizations that serve families facing housing instability, food insecurity, and other urgent needs. Recent program-support awards to Associated Ministries of Tacoma, Tacoma Community House, and New Phoebe House Association show how United Way of Pierce County combines network investments with direct support for frontline providers. The mix of capacity grants, program support, and designations points to a funder that emphasizes practical service delivery and local infrastructure across Pierce County.

    What United Way of Pierce County Funds

    A central theme in United Way of Pierce County’s grantmaking is financial stability. The foundation supported the Center for Strong Families network through a $152,300 capacity grant to Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier Region and a $127,300 capacity grant to Tacoma Community House, both tied to center-based family supports. Basic needs are another major area: it gave $93,000 to Associated Ministries of Tacoma for program support and $78,000 to Tacoma Community House for program support. Housing-related services also appear repeatedly, including $30,000 to Helping Hand House and $30,000 to New Phoebe House Association, each for program support. The recent grants also include education-related support through $48,900 to Franklin Pierce School District No. 402 and $38,000 to Tacoma Community College.

    How United Way of Pierce County Gives

    Typical grant size sits at $14,918 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list shows a wider spread above that core band, including several six-figure capacity awards and many $30,000 program-support grants. Grantmaking appears recurring rather than one-off: multiple recipients show funding in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including Tacoma Community House, Associated Ministries of Tacoma, Korean Women's Association, Tacoma Community College, Lasa, Helping Hand House, and New Phoebe House Association. United Way of Pierce County operates as a local funder, and its active programs include collaborative grantmaking, community investments, and network support for the Center for Strong Families. The Community Investments program is described as not accepting unsolicited applications, while the GRIT cash assistance program and Willie Stewart Scholarship are marked as accepting unsolicited applications.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $1M

    Total Assets

    $17.5M

    Total Revenue

    $6.9M

    Total Expenses

    $7.8M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $15K and $30K, with a median of $20K.

    25th Percentile

    $15K

    Median

    $20K

    75th Percentile

    $30K

    Geographic Reach

    Local1 state funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Dona Ponepinto

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

    Deep Analysis

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    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 91-0650669Latest Form 990: 2026Total assets: $17.5M4 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders

    Funding Style

    capacity buildingprogram supportdesignated fundingmulti-site/replicable program support

    Topics

    family-strengthening servicescommunity center operationsprogram development for family supportsorganizational sustainability for family-focused centers

    Where United Way of Pierce County Makes Grants

    United Way of Pierce County gives locally, and every grant in the recipient distribution lands in the United States. The recent grants are concentrated in Pierce County communities, especially Tacoma, with additional awards in Lakewood and Puyallup. Tacoma appears across many of the larger awards, including Sound Outreach, Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier Region, Tacoma Community House, and Associated Ministries of Tacoma. Lakewood and Puyallup also recur through recipients such as the Korean Women's Association, Lasa, and Helping Hand House. The listed giving scope includes Pierce County broadly and targeted communities such as Franklin Pierce and Eastside Tacoma.

    Frequently Asked Questions About United Way of Pierce County

    What are United Way of Pierce County’s main focus areas?

    The foundation’s focus areas include poverty alleviation, financial stability and coaching, basic needs such as food and shelter, housing security, early childhood literacy, youth opportunity, advocacy and systems change, and guaranteed cash assistance or basic income pilots. Its community work also centers on family-strengthening services and support for community-based family service centers.

    What is the foundation’s typical grant size?

    Its typical grant size is $14,918 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows larger capacity awards above that range, especially for network and center-based support.

    Does United Way of Pierce County fund recurring partners?

    Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Tacoma Community House, Associated Ministries of Tacoma, Korean Women's Association, Tacoma Community College, Lasa, Helping Hand House, and New Phoebe House Association. The pattern suggests ongoing support rather than isolated awards only.

    How does United Way of Pierce County fund community partners?

    It uses a mix of program support, capacity grants, designations, and collaborative grantmaking. Its active programs include Community Investments, Pierce County Connected, the Center for Strong Families network, and the GRIT cash assistance program, which shows a blend of direct service funding and infrastructure support.

    Where does United Way of Pierce County give?

    Its giving is local, with 100% of grants going to recipients in Washington. The recent grants are concentrated in Pierce County, especially Tacoma, with additional recipients in Lakewood and Puyallup.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2026

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from United Way of Pierce County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses Sep 30, 2026Award: unrestricted funding

    Equity Fund

    racial equitycommunity-led organizationscapacity building+1 more

    Who can apply: Majority BIPOC staff and board leadership; serving majority BIPOC communities; physically provides services in communities where significant BIPOC households reside; annual operating budget no more than $500,000 (preference for under $250,000); founded or evolved to serve communities of color; measurable connection to UWPC’s goal of moving households toward self-sufficiency.

    Deadline: Sept 30 for a January 1 award; March 31 for a July 1 award (twice yearly during the 2025-2027 investment cycle).

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Tacoma Community HouseTacoma, WA$172,0002026Capacity Grant Centers for Strong Families
    Multicultural Child and Family Hope CenterTacoma, WA$100,0002026Program Support
    Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier RegionTacoma, WA$76,0002026Capacity Grant Centers for Strong Families
    New Phoebe House AssociationTacoma, WA$50,0002026Program Support
    CJK Community HomesTacoma, WA$50,0002026Program Support
    Associated Ministries of TacomaTacoma, WA$48,0002026Program Support
    Making A Difference FoundationTacoma, WA$45,0002026Program Support
    Help A Student FundTacoma, WA$36,0702026Designations
    St Vincent DePaul SocietyTacoma, WA$35,0002026Program Support
    Mi CentroTacoma, WA$30,0002026Program Support
    YWCA Pierce CountyTacoma, WA$27,0002026Program Support
    LASALakewood, WA$25,0002026Program Support
    Sound OutreachTacoma, WA$22,6002026Program Support
    CARES Of WashingtonSeattle, WA$20,0002026Program Support
    St Leo's Food ConnectionTacoma, WA$20,0002026Program Support
    Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma, WA$20,0002026Program Support
    GoodRoots NWBonney Lake, WA$20,0002026Program Support
    Food Backpacks 4 KidsGig Harbor, WA$20,0002026Program Support
    Tacoma Community HouseTacoma, WA$20,0002026Program Support
    Emergency Food NetworkLakewood, WA$20,0002026Program Support
    Tacoma Housing AuthorityTacoma, WA$18,7502026Capacity Grant Centers for Strong Families
    Tacoma Urban LeagueTacoma, WA$15,0002026Program Support
    Lindquist Dental Clinic for ChildrenTacoma, WA$15,0002026Program Support
    Inner City Action NetworkLakewood, WA$10,0002026Program Support
    Asia Pacific Cultural CenterTacoma, WA$10,0002026Program Support
    Salvation Army - Tacoma CorpsTacoma, WA$10,0002026Program Support
    Korean Women's AssociationLakewood, WA$10,0002026Program Support
    TRUE VISION 360 AND BEYONDTacoma, WA$10,0002026Program Support
    Nourish Pierce CountyTacoma, WA$10,0002026Program Support
    Eatonville Family AgencyEatonville, WA$10,0002026Program Support
    Heartfulness InstituteSan Ramon, CA$9,5002026Designations
    Children's International Health ReliefTacoma, WA$9,0002026Program Support
    Greenhouse FoundationTacoma, WA$9,0002026Program Support
    Children's Emergency FundPuyallup, WA$8,4482026Designations
    AWLD FoundationTacoma, WA$7,0002026Program Support
    Tacoma Metro Parks FoundationTacoma, WA$6,1672026Designations
    Habitat for HumanityTacoma, WA$5,8962026Designations
    United Way of King CountySeattle, WA$5,8122026Designations
    L'Arche Tahoma HopeTacoma, WA$5,1022026Designations
    Sound OutreachTacoma, WA$228,4502025Capacity Grants - (3) Center for Strong Families locations
    Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier RegionTacoma, WA$152,3002025Capacity Grant - Centers for Strong Families
    Tacoma Community HouseTacoma, WA$127,3002025Capacity Grant - Centers for Strong Families
    Associated Ministries of TacomaTacoma, WA$93,0002025Program Support
    Tacoma Community HouseTacoma, WA$78,0002025Program Support
    Tacoma Housing AuthorityTacoma, WA$57,4002025Capacity Grant - Centers for Strong Families
    Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma, WA$38,0002025Program Support
    Korean Women's AssociationLakewood, WA$38,0002025Program Support
    Help-A-Student FundTacoma, WA$37,4122025Designations
    Helping Hand HousePuyallup, WA$30,0002025Program Support
    New Phoebe House AssociationTacoma, WA$30,0002025Program Support

    Tacoma Community House

    $172,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Capacity Grant Centers for Strong Families

    Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center

    $100,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier Region

    $76,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Capacity Grant Centers for Strong Families

    New Phoebe House Association

    $50,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    CJK Community Homes

    $50,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Associated Ministries of Tacoma

    $48,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Making A Difference Foundation

    $45,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Help A Student Fund

    $36,070
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Designations

    St Vincent DePaul Society

    $35,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Mi Centro

    $30,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    YWCA Pierce County

    $27,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    LASA

    $25,000
    Lakewood, WA2026

    Program Support

    Sound Outreach

    $22,600
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    CARES Of Washington

    $20,000
    Seattle, WA2026

    Program Support

    St Leo's Food Connection

    $20,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Tacoma Community College

    $20,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    GoodRoots NW

    $20,000
    Bonney Lake, WA2026

    Program Support

    Food Backpacks 4 Kids

    $20,000
    Gig Harbor, WA2026

    Program Support

    Tacoma Community House

    $20,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Emergency Food Network

    $20,000
    Lakewood, WA2026

    Program Support

    Tacoma Housing Authority

    $18,750
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Capacity Grant Centers for Strong Families

    Tacoma Urban League

    $15,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children

    $15,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Inner City Action Network

    $10,000
    Lakewood, WA2026

    Program Support

    Asia Pacific Cultural Center

    $10,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Salvation Army - Tacoma Corps

    $10,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Korean Women's Association

    $10,000
    Lakewood, WA2026

    Program Support

    TRUE VISION 360 AND BEYOND

    $10,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Nourish Pierce County

    $10,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Eatonville Family Agency

    $10,000
    Eatonville, WA2026

    Program Support

    Heartfulness Institute

    $9,500
    San Ramon, CA2026

    Designations

    Children's International Health Relief

    $9,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Greenhouse Foundation

    $9,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Children's Emergency Fund

    $8,448
    Puyallup, WA2026

    Designations

    AWLD Foundation

    $7,000
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Program Support

    Tacoma Metro Parks Foundation

    $6,167
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Designations

    Habitat for Humanity

    $5,896
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Designations

    United Way of King County

    $5,812
    Seattle, WA2026

    Designations

    L'Arche Tahoma Hope

    $5,102
    Tacoma, WA2026

    Designations

    Sound Outreach

    $228,450
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Capacity Grants - (3) Center for Strong Families locations

    Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier Region

    $152,300
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Capacity Grant - Centers for Strong Families

    Tacoma Community House

    $127,300
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Capacity Grant - Centers for Strong Families

    Associated Ministries of Tacoma

    $93,000
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Program Support

    Tacoma Community House

    $78,000
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Program Support

    Tacoma Housing Authority

    $57,400
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Capacity Grant - Centers for Strong Families

    Tacoma Community College

    $38,000
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Program Support

    Korean Women's Association

    $38,000
    Lakewood, WA2025

    Program Support

    Help-A-Student Fund

    $37,412
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Designations

    Helping Hand House

    $30,000
    Puyallup, WA2025

    Program Support

    New Phoebe House Association

    $30,000
    Tacoma, WA2025

    Program Support