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:
College Success Foundation.
March 2024
$10,000
In March 2024, College Success Foundation Spokane hosted its inaugural Empowering Youth Luncheon in Spokane. This event brought together students, educators, and key community members to empower students who lack educational access and opportunity. The Here for Good Foundation provided $10,000 in funding for this event, supporting CSF's mission of helping underserved students prepare for and graduate from college as transformational leaders. To date, more than 13,300 CSF Scholars have graduated from college.
Season of Giving gifts.
November 2023 – March 2024
$160,000
As part of STCU’s annual tradition of year-end donations, the Here for Good Foundation surprised 15 non-profit organizations with a total of $160,000. The donations had a particular emphasis on education, workforce development, mentoring and food insecurity.
Recipient organizations included rural community food banks, school nutrition programs, and those focused on 1:1 mentoring, job training, and empowering marginalized women in Spokane and Tri-Cities. Significant donations were made to Northeast Community Center in Spokane, to support construction of a new childcare facility, and B5, which serves the Tri-Cities refugee community with education and cultural integration programs.
View a full list of recipient organizations.
Inland NW Dyslexia Alliance.
November 2023
$5,000
The Here for Good Foundation grant goes toward the Alliance’s Client Assistance Fund, which helps break down financial barriers to evaluations and interventions.
Terrain.
March and August 2023
$30,000
Terrain believes that a more vibrant Spokane is possible through creativity, economic opportunity, and the collective action of everyone who dares to create art. In 2003, the Here for Good Foundation provided $20,000 for Terrain’s annual, one-night juried multimedia art and music event celebrating artists in the Spokane area. An additional grant of $10,000 funded a feasibility study for an envisioned Inland Northwest creative economy hub, including artist studios, retail space, affordable housing and a gallery.
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. To reinforce individual donations, STCU contributed $20,000 to the Here for Good Foundation's endowment fund.
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.
The Lighthouse for the Blind.
July 2023
$10,000
Since 1918, The Lighthouse for the Blind has provided support and employment for people who are blind. STCU’s Here for Good Foundation grant supports workforce training efforts, including computer training, Braille literacy programs, and supported employment programs.
Columbia Community Creamery.
June 2023
$10,000
Located in scenic Chewelah, Columbia Community Creamery is the nation’s first non-profit milk-processing plant, providing consumers with a direct link to Stevens County dairies. The Here for Good Foundation grant helped fund the creamery’s grand opening, and a mural created by a local artist to draw attention to the creamery where milk is processed in classic glass bottles.
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.
Turkeys and More.
April 2023
$2,500
The Here for Good Foundation grant supports the organization’s efforts to provide Thanksgiving meals, and other basic needs, for the most vulnerable residents of North Idaho.
Second Harvest: Bite 2 Go.
April 2023
$10,000
In Spokane County, 47% of students qualify for free and reduced-price meals, when they’re in school. In the Tri-Cities, more than 58% of kids qualify. The Bite 2 Go program is designed to fill the gap over weekends during the school year, providing food items students take home. The Here for Good Foundation grant helps fund the program at Spokane’s Madison Elementary School and Kennewick’s Edison Elementary School.
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.