A YEAR IN REVIEW
A Letter from the Foundation's Executive Director
Dear Partners,

As I reflect on 2019, I’m reminded just how fast time flies and how much work there is still to do to improve the outcomes of every child cradle to career. The Foundation for Tacoma Students has spent the last nine years mobilizing a community that now includes more than 295 diverse partners - all whom have expressed solidarity in the belief that every Tacoma child has what it takes to succeed in school, career, and life. And yet, we know solidarity isn’t enough. The Foundation has worked over the years to curate and codify learnings from more than 100 of our community partners in order to address the complex challenges preventing youth from realizing their potential.

From catalyzing programs through Graduate Tacoma’s Collaborative Action Networks to influencing policy change at the state level, the Foundation for Tacoma Students is committed to collective action because we know that our youth cannot be served by one organization alone. It takes all of us.

In January 2020, the Foundation will release its first ever annual strategy and financial report. This report will provide you with a clear and succinct understanding of how the Foundation functions to support your community movement. The Foundation will also begin work with a cohort of 38 community-based organizations to best understand the levers of systems change and define the various types of equity that require meaningful attention if we are to realize the success of every child. Most importantly, in 2020, the Foundation will begin the groundwork for the 2030 community-goal reset. Engaging partners from across Tacoma, the Foundation will use community feedback to identify the new bold and audacious goal for 2030. With so much more to accomplish, I want to be sure that we all take a moment to reflect on all that has been achieved. Celebrating the gains - big or small - and using that to fuel us into the next decade. The road ahead will not be easy, but if we continue to work in meaningful partnership and truly align our efforts to support the children of our community, we will realize a stronger future for all Tacoma residents.



Sincerely,

Tafona Ervin, Ed. M | Executive Director
Foundation for Tacoma Student
Community Learning Fund: Announcing Subgrantees
The Foundation for Tacoma Students is thrilled to announce 38 subgrantees to the Graduate Tacoma Community Learning Fund! The organizations will receive funding to build their work in one of three investment areas. This is the first investment of its kind by the Foundation, with approximately $1M to be subgranted over the course of 2020.  
Introducing 2020 Policy Agenda
Through the 2020 Legislative session, the Graduate Tacoma Advocacy Network will advocate for policies that support: Lasting Investments in Early Education, Safe & Quality Learning Environments for all, and Special Education.

Join network partners on January 29, 2020 for Advocacy Day at the state Capitol.
Graduate Tacoma by the Numbers
480+ RECEIVED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Participants who engaged in professional development opportunities offered in partnership with or through Graduate Tacoma.
7,200+ CONNECTIONS MADE
Participants in convenings facilitated by Graduate Tacoma.
$1.9 MILLION IN
ALIGNED FUNDING
Aligned funding & resources granted to community partners to deepen & scale their work.
215 ADVOCATES
Community members engaged in policy & advocacy efforts.
The Best of 2019
Collective Impact Highlights of 2019
Take a look back at some of our favorite stories of 2019, demonstrating the collective impact of partners and community.
Transitions at the Foundation
Community leaders share their gratitude to Eric Wilson, founding President & CEO of the Foundation for Tacoma Students. In his honor, the City of Tacoma proclaimed Oct. 24, 2019 as Collective Impact Day.
The Movement
in Pictures
See the pictures that shaped the community-wide movement in 2019. This collection takes a look back at some of the most memorable events and images of the last 365 days.
Graduate Tacoma  www.GraduateTacoma.org