TwinStar Credit Union’s philanthropic giving is focused on supporting local South Puget Sound communities through scholarships, school and college support, community events and civic/cultural sponsorships. They routinely fund regional educational institutions, community foundations, United Ways, health-related foundations and local civic organizations—often as event sponsors or to underwrite student scholarships and youth programming. Grants are concentrated in Thurston County and nearby Western Washington, with an emphasis on visible, community-facing sponsorships rather than national causes.
A defining feature of Credit Unions in the State of Washington Twinstar Credit Union’s philanthropy is its repeated support for Twinstar Community Foundation, which received the largest grants in the recent record three years in a row: $302,249 in 2023, $338,113 in 2024, and $341,075 in 2025. That pattern points to sustained backing for college and higher-education scholarships and classroom assistance, rather than isolated gifts. The foundation also supports local education and student engagement through school and college partners, while layering in sponsorships for civic and cultural events across South Puget Sound. Recent grants include support for SPSCC Foundation, Saint Martin’s University, and North Thurston Public Schools, showing a mix of scholarship funding, athletics and student programming, and event-based support. The grant record also includes community-facing sponsorships and local health-related support, which places the funder firmly in the everyday civic life of western Washington communities. Its giving is public-charity philanthropy centered on organizations that serve students, families, and regional community institutions.
College and higher education is the clearest cause area in the record. Credit Unions in the State of Washington Twinstar Credit Union gave $38,500 to SPSCC Foundation for event sponsorship and the Scholars Fund in 2024, and the same amount again in 2025 for the Scholars Fund. It also supported Grays Harbor College Foundation with $25,000 for foundation support in 2023. K-12 programming appears as well: North Thurston Public Schools received $41,500 in 2024 and $30,500 in 2023 for One School/One Book sponsorship. Community sponsorships are another recurring theme, including $15,000 to City of Lacey in 2024 for Fourth of July cultural sponsorship and $11,000 to Thurston County Economic Development Council in 2023 for gala sponsorship. Health and family support also show up through $75,000 to Multicare Foundations for Helping Hands sponsorship in 2024.
The typical grant size sits in a fairly tight band: p25 is $7,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $15,500. The recent record also shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, especially Twinstar Community Foundation, SPSCC Foundation, Saint Martin’s University, North Thurston Public Schools, and GoWest Credit Union Foundation. That suggests ongoing relationship-based giving rather than mostly one-time awards. The foundation is a public charity, not a funder of individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. Grants are primarily local and overwhelmingly stay in Washington.
$622K
$4.3B
$318.6M
$292.4M
Most grants fall between $7K and $16K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$16K
JEFF KENNEDY
CEO/TREASURER
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Locally concentrated, mostly moderate-sized gifts with a mix of recurring support and event sponsorships; a single dominant recipient is their own TwinStar Community Foundation (large share of total dollars), while many other grantees receive repeated smaller sponsorships or annual donations.
Notable grantees: TwinStar Community Foundation, South Puget Sound Community College Foundation (SPSCC Foundation), Saint Martin's University, GoWest Credit Union Foundation, United Way of Thurston County
Grant activity is heavily concentrated in Washington, with 98% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Lacey and Olympia appear repeatedly in the recent grants list, including Twinstar Community Foundation and North Thurston Public Schools in Lacey, plus SPSCC Foundation and Thurston County Chamber of Commerce in Olympia. Tacoma also appears more than once through Multicare Foundations, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and Franklin Pierce High School. Outside Washington, the recent record includes Ronald McDonald House Charities of OR and SW WA in Portland, Oregon. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent record centers on education, student support, and community sponsorships. Examples include college scholarship and classroom assistance, K-12 reading and student engagement, athletics and student events, civic and cultural celebrations, and some health-related or family-support organizations.
Typical awards are relatively modest: the 25th percentile is $7,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,500. The recent record also includes larger recurring gifts to a few education partners.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support across multiple years for several organizations, including Twinstar Community Foundation, SPSCC Foundation, Saint Martin’s University, North Thurston Public Schools, and GoWest Credit Union Foundation.
Almost all grants stay in Washington: 98% of grants are to recipients in WA, and the top state by grant count is also Washington. Lacey, Olympia, Tacoma, and SeaTac show up often in the recent grants record.
Recent grantees include Twinstar Community Foundation, Multicare Foundations, GoWest Credit Union Foundation, North Thurston Public Schools, SPSCC Foundation, Saint Martin’s University, Grays Harbor College Foundation, and City of Lacey.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TWINSTAR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | LACEY, WA | $341,075 | 2025 | COLLEGE/HIGHER ED SCHOLARSHIPS/CLASSROOM ASSISTANCE |
| GOWEST CREDIT UNION FOUNDATION | SEATAC, WA | $45,000 | 2025 | CU FOR KIDS DONATION |
| SPSCC FOUNDATION | OLYMPIA, WA | $38,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARS FUND |
| SAINT MARTIN'S UNIVERSITY | LACEY, WA | $37,500 | 2025 | ATHLETICS SPONSORSHIP; BUS LEADERSHIP DONATION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF OR AND SW WA | PORTLAND, OR | $15,000 | 2025 | STUDENT WELCOME DONATION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SO PUGET SOUND | OLYMPIA, WA | $12,500 | 2025 | HEARTS FOR HOPE SPONSORSHIP |
| EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP/DONATION |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THURSTON COUNTY | OLYMPIA, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | CULTURE/ARTS SPONSORSHIP |
| UNITED WAY OF THURSTON COUNTY | OLYMPIA, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | ARTS SPONSORSHIP/DONATION |
| ASIA PACIFIC CULTURAL CENTER | TACOMA, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | CORNERSTONE SPONSORSHIP |
| OLYMPIA FAMILY THEATER | OLYMPIA, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP/DONATION |
| OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE | OLYMPIA, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | STRONG KIDS CAMPAIGN/EMERGING LEADERSHIP DONATION |
| ASIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL OF OREGON | EUGENE, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | GIVE LOCAL/SPONSORSHIP |
| SOUTH SOUND YMCA | OLYMPIA, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | CLUB SUPPORT/DONATION |
| OSLC DEVELOPMENTS INC | EUGENE, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP/DONATION |
| TOGETHER | TUMWATER, WA | $9,000 | 2025 | COMBINED FUND DRIVE |
| LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $7,500 | 2025 | MENTORING PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP |
| ONALASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT | ONALASKA, WA | $7,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY MOVEMENT SPONSORSHIP |
| THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OLYMPIA, WA | $7,000 | 2025 | CHAMPION SPONSORSHIP |
| POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE | VANCOUVER, WA | $6,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT/YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| WEST ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL | ALBANY, OR | $5,902 | 2025 | PROJECT COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP |
| TWINSTAR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | LACEY, WA | $338,113 | 2024 | COLLEGE/HIGHER ED SCHOLARSHIPS/CLASSROOM ASSISTANCE |
| MULTICARE FOUNDATIONS | TACOMA, WA | $75,000 | 2024 | HELPING HANDS SPONSORSHIP |
| NORTH THURSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | LACEY, WA | $41,500 | 2024 | ONE SCHOOL/ONE BOOK SPONSORSHIP |
| SPSCC FOUNDATION | OLYMPIA, WA | $38,500 | 2024 | EVENT SPONSORSHIP; SCHOLARS FUND |
| SAINT MARTIN'S UNIVERSITY | LACEY, WA | $36,202 | 2024 | ATHLETICS SPONSORSHIP |
| GOWEST CREDIT UNION FOUNDATION | SEATAC, WA | $28,250 | 2024 | CU FOR KIDS DONATION |
| EVERGREEN SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION | VANCOUVER, WA | $17,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ASIA PACIFIC CULTURAL CENTER | TACOMA, WA | $15,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CITY OF LACEY | LACEY, WA | $15,000 | 2024 | 4TH OF JULY CULTURAL/SPONSORSHIP |
| THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OLYMPIA, WA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FRANKLIN PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL | TACOMA, WA | $13,500 | 2024 | STUDENT EVENTS SPONSORSHIPS |
| UNITED WAY OF LEWIS COUNTY | CHEHALIS, WA | $12,493 | 2024 | DEI DONATION; GOLF FUNDRAISER SPONSORSHIP |
| SEATTLE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $12,125 | 2024 | FOUNDATION SUPPORT |
| GOWEST CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION | SEATAC, WA | $12,000 | 2024 | EVENT SPONSORSHIP |
| A STEP AHEAD IN PIERCE COUNTY | PUYALLUP, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | EVENT SPONSORSHIP |
| THE ARC OF SW WASHINGTON | VANCOUVER, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CITY OF ABERDEEN | ABERDEEN, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | EVENT SPONSORSHIP/CULTURAL |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SO PUGET SOUND | OLYMPIA, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | GIVE LOCAL/SPONSORSHIP |
| UNITED WAY OF THURSTON COUNTY | OLYMPIA, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | CORNERSTONE SPONSORSHIP |
| OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE | OLYMPIA, WA | $8,000 | 2024 | COMBINED FUND DRIVE |
| EMERGENCY FOOD NETWORK | LAKEWOOD, WA | $7,500 | 2024 | ABUANDANCE SPONSORSHIP |
| CENTRAL WILLAMETTE CREDIT UNION | ALBANY, OR | $7,500 | 2024 | CU 4 KIDS DONATION |
| SOUTH SOUND YMCA | OLYMPIA, WA | $7,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN DONATION; BREAKFAST SPONSORSHIP |
| HOPE ALLIANCE | CENTRALIA, WA | $7,000 | 2024 | EVENT SPONSORSHIP |
| TUMWATER PARKS AND RECREATION | TUMWATER, WA | $7,000 | 2024 | EVENTS/PROGRAMS SPONSORSHIPS |
| ONALASKA ALLIANCE | ONALASKA, WA | $6,692 | 2024 | BACKPACK PROGRAM/EVENTS/SPONSORSHIPS |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | OLYMPIA, WA | $6,500 | 2024 | FUNDRAISING/AUCTION SPONSORSHIP |
| FAMILY EDUCATION & SUPPORT SERVICES | TUMWATER, WA | $6,375 | 2024 | PROGRAM SPONSORSHIPS |
| COLUMBIA RIVER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES | VANCOUVER, WA | $6,000 | 2024 | GALA SPONSORSHIPS/DONATION |
TWINSTAR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$341,075COLLEGE/HIGHER ED SCHOLARSHIPS/CLASSROOM ASSISTANCE
SAINT MARTIN'S UNIVERSITY
$37,500ATHLETICS SPONSORSHIP; BUS LEADERSHIP DONATION
HEARTS FOR HOPE SPONSORSHIP
UNITED WAY OF THURSTON COUNTY
$10,000ARTS SPONSORSHIP/DONATION
OLYMPIA FAMILY THEATER
$10,000SPONSORSHIP/DONATION
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
$10,000STRONG KIDS CAMPAIGN/EMERGING LEADERSHIP DONATION
ASIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL OF OREGON
$10,000GIVE LOCAL/SPONSORSHIP
SOUTH SOUND YMCA
$10,000CLUB SUPPORT/DONATION
ONALASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$7,000COMMUNITY MOVEMENT SPONSORSHIP
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$7,000CHAMPION SPONSORSHIP
POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE
$6,500ANNUAL SUPPORT/YOUTH PROGRAMS
WEST ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL
$5,902PROJECT COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP
TWINSTAR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$338,113COLLEGE/HIGHER ED SCHOLARSHIPS/CLASSROOM ASSISTANCE
NORTH THURSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$41,500ONE SCHOOL/ONE BOOK SPONSORSHIP
SAINT MARTIN'S UNIVERSITY
$36,202ATHLETICS SPONSORSHIP
CITY OF LACEY
$15,0004TH OF JULY CULTURAL/SPONSORSHIP
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FRANKLIN PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL
$13,500STUDENT EVENTS SPONSORSHIPS
UNITED WAY OF LEWIS COUNTY
$12,493DEI DONATION; GOLF FUNDRAISER SPONSORSHIP
GOWEST CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION
$12,000EVENT SPONSORSHIP
A STEP AHEAD IN PIERCE COUNTY
$10,000EVENT SPONSORSHIP
THE ARC OF SW WASHINGTON
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CITY OF ABERDEEN
$10,000EVENT SPONSORSHIP/CULTURAL
UNITED WAY OF THURSTON COUNTY
$10,000CORNERSTONE SPONSORSHIP
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
$8,000COMBINED FUND DRIVE
CENTRAL WILLAMETTE CREDIT UNION
$7,500CU 4 KIDS DONATION
SOUTH SOUND YMCA
$7,500ANNUAL CAMPAIGN DONATION; BREAKFAST SPONSORSHIP
HOPE ALLIANCE
$7,000EVENT SPONSORSHIP
TUMWATER PARKS AND RECREATION
$7,000EVENTS/PROGRAMS SPONSORSHIPS
ONALASKA ALLIANCE
$6,692BACKPACK PROGRAM/EVENTS/SPONSORSHIPS
FAMILY EDUCATION & SUPPORT SERVICES
$6,375PROGRAM SPONSORSHIPS