Gig Harbor Charities & Non-Profits
Here is your list of local Gig Harbor charities participating in Giving Tuesday 2020. Thank you for helping #givewhereyoulive.
This is a cornerstone of my business, if you can’t give funds these local Gig Harbor charity organizations are always looking for hands on volunteers as they are the lifeblood of any organization.
Your local Gig Harbor Guide to Non-Profit & Charity organizations
When it comes to giving back, I’m obsessed. I’m so obsessed I’ve donated $68,000 to date in only 3 years, a portion of every transaction goes to local organizations. In fact, $15,000 in MARCH of 2020 went to 10 charities that Gig Harbor neighbors helped choose, thank you.
Read more about my foundation here.
In 2021 we’ve pledged to double our local giving, $40,000 is promised to the Gig Harbor community next year.
Here are as many of our local charities I could find in and around Gig Harbor, if I missed any please let me know. While most are participating in Giving Tuesday, if they are not, they’d still love a donation.
Please consider following them on Social Media or visiting them ONLINE to donate. They need every donation they can get right now and the needs are much greater in 2020 than ever before.
Give and learn more about these local foundations with Gig Harbor’s Top Real estate agent Paige Schulte on my instagram @paigesgig.
Gig Harbor’s top real estate agent, Paige Schulte, shares how to get involved in the Gig Harbor Community.
Communities in Schools of Peninsula
Communities In Schools of Peninsula is dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and on a path to a brighter future. Working directly inside 9 schools in the Peninsula School District, we connect kids to caring adults and community resources designed to help them succeed.
Heartwood Haven
Heartwood Haven believes every animal deserves respect and compassion
Our mission is to provide sanctuary to abused, neglected, mistreated, and homeless animals while educating the public about the effects of animal agriculture.
We create a peaceful environment so animals can enjoy a comfortable life and receive the highest quality veterinary care, love, and attention based on their individual needs.
Raising Girls
Raising Girls provides necessary hygiene products to girls in the South Sound, and partners with local organizations committed to serving our youth. Our commitment is to eliminate humiliation, promote pride, and share love to thousands of girls in our community!
Food backpack 4 Kids
It's all about Feeding Kids!
Food Backpacks 4 Kids exists to meet the nutritional needs of hungry and food-insecure children and their families living on the Key Peninsula and in Gig Harbor. Children thrive when they have access to healthy food and our community volunteers work hard collect and distribute food to any family in need with children in the home.
We feed hungry children and their families by:
Giving out about 7,000 pounds each Saturday at three drive by locations!
Giving out over 300 backpacks filled with over 10 pounds of food every week school is in session!
Operating Food Pantries in all the Middle and High Schools in our community!
Our History
The Food Backpacks 4 Kids program was launched on the Key Peninsula in 2009. Since then, we have given away over 1 million pounds of nutritious food to children and their families!
In our first week of operation, nine backpacks were packed for distribution at Evergreen Elementary School. Our collective passion has infected many others resulting in substantial growth of the program. Each school year we support approximately 500 children and youth weekly, with participating students at every school in the Peninsula School District. Our projection is that each year the number of children and families served will increase.
Our original core group of volunteers pack the backpacks that are distributed to our original site of Evergreen Elementary as well as Vaughn and Minter Creek Elementary and Key Peninsula Middle School.
Our hardworking volunteers at Agnus Dei Lutheran Church pack for the students at Purdy Elementary, Harbor Ridge Middle School, and Peninsula High School.
Dedicated volunteers at Peninsula Lutheran Church fill backpacks for the students at Discovery Elementary, Harbor Heights Elementary, Voyager Elementary, Goodman Middle School, Kopachuck Middle School, and Gig Harbor and Henderson Bay High Schools.
To meet the needs of the community, we have extended the backpack program by establishing a summer lunch program. All children, youth and their parents are invited to enjoy a hot, home cooked meal three days a week. Additional food items, fresh fruit and home essentials are distributed throughout the summer.
Fish Food Bank
Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH began in June 1976 and was incorporated in August 1985 from a group of people who believed that every person in our community is our neighbor. Neighbors care and take care of one another. “Neighbor helping neighbor” has been our motto since our inception. Everyone in the greater Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula area belongs to Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH by nature of contributing food, money, clothing or housewares or volunteering in some aspect of its operation or by receiving services.
Harbor Wild Watch
Our mission is to inspire stewardship for the Puget Sound, and greater Salish Sea, by providing equitable learning opportunities about the environment to our local community and beyond.
All Local PTA/VPO/PTO’s
Chew dog Rescue
CHEW Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned dogs, dogs scheduled for euthanasia due to shelter space limitations, and other dogs who need us. We are always looking to find additional foster homes and acquire funding for veterinary care and other essential elements of dog rescue to allow us to help more dogs in need. CHEW (Canine Health Education and Welfare) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
Organized in 2006 to advocate for a fenced off-leash dog park in the Gig Harbor area, we now dedicate our time to rescuing dogs in need. We also promote responsible dog ownership including canine health and behavioral topics. Feel free to download CPR for Dogs and a Pet Disaster Checklist.
Since the start of CHEW as a rescue organization, we have rescued and saved 957 dogs in 7 years. Check our Adoption page to see all of our available dogs and for an application to adopt.
New Phoebe House
Our Mission: Through housing, services, support, and treatment, we serve Pierce County mothers and children impacted by chemical dependency, homelessness, and trauma. We help mothers achieve and maintain safe reunification through clean and sober living, healing, and self-sufficiency.
Key Peninsula, Red Barn
The process of opening Red Barn Youth Center has been both fun and challenging. A parallel process took place as a vision and plan was formulated by a steering committee and a workable facility was sought. An excellent facility was found, but a significant renovation was required. Extensive demolition work and repairs were needed. The facility required all new plumbing, electrical, and low voltage wiring. There were extensive fire protection requirements such as a fire wall, a sprinkler system, and an alarm system.
Development has been conducted in two major phases. Phase 1 involved development of a common room with stool counter seating with a coffee lounge atmosphere. There is additional booth seating and a large open area for tables, chairs and flexible program options. This portion of the facility will be used for an after school drop in center with opportunities for youth to chat and be involved in study sessions. There will be opportunity to participate in other activities, as well, such as lessons to learn to play musical instruments. Completion of this phase was done through public donations from local businesses and many private parties. Grant writing was done on a very limited basis.
Phase 2 incorporates a larger multi-purpose area. This area will be utilized for a wide variety of activities such as concerts, play productions, arts, guest speakers. and outside group rentals. On the grounds outside the facility building planned activities include a community garden area, court games such as pickle-ball, and volleyball, a climbing wall, a barbecue area, and a fire pit. Phase 2 will be completed through donations, a robust grant writing program, and volunteer opportunities such as through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Funding for these capital projects will include grants and foundations, individual giving, donations from area churches and businesses, and special events
The Red Barn facility sits on roughly 8 acres of land. Our vision includes expansion to other portions of the property with activities such as a high ropes course and challenge courses.
Key Peninsula Civic Center
Key Peninsula Civic Center (KPCC) is at the heart of the Key Peninsula community. Many local organizations call this facility home for meetings, events, and fundraisers. Individuals also find the Civic Center a convenient and affordable option for weddings, memorials, skate parties and more!
The Key Peninsula Civic Center Association (KPCCA) is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of the Key Peninsula community and citizens, and to encouraging civic consciousness through active participation in constructive projects that improve our community.
Longbranch Improvement Club
The LIC offers marine facilities to visiting boaters to enhance recreational opportunities in the South Sound area. It has planned investment for improved public safety and recreation facilities at the Marina and is considering the potential expansion of moorage space allowed by its DNR lease and Pierce County.
Moorage income from members and the general public will continue to support the LIC’s activities and public service projects. Rental income from the building and grounds is projected to increase through improved marketing.
As good stewards of our historic Clubhouse, the LIC is raising funds to reroof and restore the building to its original rustic glory. Building operation, and renovation, will be funded in part by rental income from weddings, private parties, reunions and family celebrations as well as reduced-rate rentals to non-profit organizations for their own fund-raising events.
Recent improvements on the LIC’s 7+ acres of wooded land have added a nature walk and retreat for visitors, with design and implementation coordinated by Tim Larson, as part of his Eagle Scout project. The softball field has been restored, spearheaded by the LIC with muscle and impetus provided by Troop 248 Eagle Scout, Charlie Boyd, as his community service project.
The Longbranch Improvement Club, founded in 1921 for the betterment of the community, earns its middle name each year anew as its 200 members provide service, support and leadership to its community.
KP Senior Center food bank
We are an active and vibrant nonprofit Food Bank, Senior Meal Site, and Senior Center serving the Key Peninsula and surrounding communities. Our community organization was founded in 1982 by a small group of dedicated and forward thinking people who saw and need and found a way to fill it.
Mustard Seed
The Mustard Seed Project promotes independent living and quality of life for seniors residing on the Key Peninsula in western Washington by providing services and programs in five focus areas: transportation, information & referral, health and wellness, senior housing options, and community education.
Ali’s prom Project
With over 10,000 children in foster care in Washington State, and the average cost to send one child to prom being over $900, many foster teens report missing prom purely for financial reasons. Since 2015 we have received over 3,000 donated dresses and countless shoes and accessories. In 2018, we expanded and are thrilled to now be serving all low-income teens in need of assistance, in addition to continuing service for our local foster youth. We are accepting donations and welcoming volunteers to help make this exciting event possible. The goal is that every teen will have the opportunity to attend prom feeling confident and care-free...free of charge.
The Boys & Girls Club of South Puget sound
To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
South Sound Girls on the Run
At Girls on the Run we inspire ALL girls to build confidence and make intentional decisions, while fostering care and compassion for self and others. Trained coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional and physical skills in every girl while encouraging healthy habits for life.
Peninsula Hands on Art
Peninsula Hands On Art is proud to be celebrating 17 years and over 162,000 art projects in the greater Gig Harbor area! Founded in 2003 PeninsulaHands On Art provides art instruction to over 4,000 students each year. Reaching every elementary student in the Peninsula School District, it is our program's foundational belief that students across all socioeconomic backgrounds should have the same educational opportunity and ability to access artist quality materials and art education
Greater Gig harbor Foundation
We work collaboratively to build, bridge and enrich the greater Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula region by raising funding, advocating for and providing support to help meet diverse community needs in five core areas essential to sustaining vibrant healthy communities across our peninsulas.
The Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Suicide Prevention Coalition
We offer FREE training sessions to help others learn what to listen for- from someone who may be having thoughts of suicide, and can help guide individuals to resources to help save lives!
Gig Harbor Tides Scholarship Foundation
The Gig Harbor Tides Scholarship Foundation is a group of volunteers that facilitate GHHS Seniors in applying for and obtaining local scholarships.
The funds come not only from fundraising efforts, but also community members, organizations, other public schools in the Peninsula School District and local business owners.
We would like to thank all those who have supported our Seniors in the past and those who will do so in the future.
Harbor HOpe Center
It is our mission to ensure that no neighbor is left with unmet needs. Your contribution to Harbor Hope Center helps to support our efforts in improving the lives of homeless youth in our community.
Prison Pet Partnership
A non-profit organization located on the grounds of the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor. PPP trains rescue and purpose-bred dogs as service, therapy and companion animals and operates a boarding and grooming facility to provide vocational education for women inmates. Our program benefits all involved — the animals who are given the chance to lead lives of service, the inmates who learn valuable skills so they may find gainful employment upon release, and the individuals with disabilities who receive well-trained dogs to help increase their level of independence.
Gig Harbor Holiday Heroes Program, GHPD
The Jaycox Gig Harbor Police Benevolent Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to charitable and educational purposes by assisting members of the community in need, especially youth and volunteer programs. Among the goals of this organization is to provide scholarships and tuition assistance to foster academic achievement and encourage exemplary citizenship with the youth of Gig Harbor. These scholarships may be offered on a yearly basis to students who have been accepted for full-time enrollment in an accredited college or vocational institution or who are currently enrolled in such an institution. Donations should be sent directly to the Police Department
Peninsula Schools Education Foundation
To support the Peninsula School District by providing resources to encourage innovative teaching and educational practices. To advocate within our community and to pursue resources from individuals and organizations.
Know of a charity that should be on this list?
Email me! Paige@askpaigeschulte.com. If you could send me the name, website & one or two sentences that describes the organization so readers know how and what to support!
As a top real estate agent in Gig Harbor, giving where I live is a pillar of my business. When you hire a local agent like me, know that a portion of my commission stays right here helping our neighbors.
Thank you for helping us #givewhereyoulive.
XX
Paige