STCU's Here for Good Foundation is dedicated to assisting the community and investing in the future.
The foundation was established in January 2023, and grants funds to non-profit organizations and educational institutions in Eastern and Central Washington, Tri-Cities, and North Idaho. STCU began the project with a $1 million endowment, with hopes of growing that to $10 million in 10 years.
Below are some of the stories of our donations:
Elk Community Wildfire Fund.
August 2023
$10,000
Following wildfires in their area, the communities of Riverside and Elk gathered at the “Rise As One” community event and Riverside High School football game. There, they came together to heal and raise funds to support the Elk Community Wildfire Fund.
STCU’s Here for Good Foundation offered a $10,000 donation to match any donations from the community.
The Avista Foundation generously stepped in with an additional $10,000 match.
A committee formed in Elk will determine how the funds are being distributed, with priority to those who lost their homes and other properties.
Re*Imagine Medical Lake.
August 2023
$10,000
The Here for Good Foundation donated $10,000 to Re*Imagine Medical Lake to support their work in rebuild and recovery efforts after wildfires devastated the community.
Re*Imagine Medical Lake is a citizen driven organization that focuses on economic and community revitalization while honoring the history of Medical Lake.
Innovia Foundation’s Wildfire Emergency Response Fund.
August 2023
$50,000
On August 18, 2023, STCU funded the Here for Good Foundation with $50,000 to support local communities impacted by wildfires. The Innovia Foundation, Premera Blue Cross, and Washington Trust Bank joined in these efforts.
The Here for Good Foundation activated the opportunity for community members to donate.
All funds donated will be distributed in partnership with the Wildfire Emergency Response Fund at Innovia Foundation to benefit local non-profit organizations supporting rebuild and recovery efforts.
Innovia Foundation: Curious Conversations Book Club.
May 2023
$25,000
The Here for Good Foundation sponsored the Curious Conversations book club, hosted by Innovia Foundation as part of their Annual Leadership Summit. Washington authors Mónica Guzmán and Erin Jones discussed the importance of having difficult but productive conversations, racial healing in our communities and how to remain curious and open amid divisive times. The event took place in Spokane’s Bing Crosby Theater, with over 400 in attendance, and was simulcast to venues in Colville, Moscow, and Sandpoint.
LaunchNW.
April 2023
$250,000
LaunchNW is working to ensure that graduating high school seniors in Spokane County can pursue the post-secondary education and career of their choice. As its endowment grows, rollout will continue across Eastern Washington and North Idaho – an area that supports nearly 150,000 students. LaunchNW scholarships can be used for used toward tuition for regional post-high school education programs. The Here for Good Foundation has pledged $50,000 a year for five years.
Academy of Children’s Theatre.
April 2023
$5,000
The Academy of Children’s Theatre in Richland, Wash., provides theatre arts education classes, camps, and workshops to over 3,000 preschool through high school students, ensuring access to arts for all, regardless of their finical situation. Internships at ACT help high school students learn the ins and outs of theatre, and what it takes to run a successful production. ACT produces at least five plays and musicals each season, and partners with other local non-profits for educational and collaborative outreach.
Hospitality House.
March 2023
$10,000
The Hospitality House provides Newport residents a wide variety of programs and activities for all ages. A true community gathering place, the Hospitality House offers activities for seniors, community meals, children’s programs, dance lessons, card games and more. An entirely run volunteer organization, The Hospitality House will use the grant provided by the Here for Foundation for a much-needed update to the center’s flooring.
Innovia rural communities funds.
January 2023
$50,000
The Here for Good Foundation launched January 31, 2023, by awarding a total of $50,000 in surprise grants to community funds at Innovia Foundation to serve five counties in Northeast Washington and North Idaho. The benefitting counties are Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille in Washington, and Bonner and Boundary in Idaho. Each community fund received $5,000 to help build its endowment for long-terms needs. The remaining $5,000 for each community fund was available for immediate grantmaking through the Innovia Foundation, as advised by local Innovia Leadership Council members.