GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

7191 WAGNER WAY STE 102, GIG HARBOR, WA 98335-6909

In care of

% JULIE ANN GUSTANSKI

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

Julie Ann Gustanski PhD LLM, 7191 Wagner Way NW, Suite 102, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Signed the 990

Julie Ann Gustanski, President Emeritus/CEO

Phone

(253) 514-6338

Website

gigharborfoundation.org

Return prepared by

Greater Gig Harbor Foundation

Mission

The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation is a strategic community partner dedicated to strengthening the greater Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula region. GGHF brings people and resources together-leveraging research, expertise, partnerships, volunteers, grantmaking, and direct services to help address opportunity gaps and meet diverse community needs. GGHF works collaboratively across five core areas: arts and culture, education, parks and environment, recreation, and social capital. Since its founding in 2006, GGHF has invested more than $21.5M into the community, benefiting over 50 organizations and public agencies through grants, supporting more than 600 students with education scholarships, directing more than $2.8M toward hunger relief, over $6M for early childhood education, $3.35M for parks and outdoor spaces, and more than $2.5M for conservation initiatives. Through these efforts, the Foundation helps build, bridge, and enrich communities of the greater Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula area.

Program accomplishments

• The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation serves a regional population of more than 70,000 residents. As a community foundation, GGHF provides services and long-term stewardship of charitable funds to meet diverse community needs, and it acts as fiscal sponsor for numerous donor-directed funds, projects, and scholarship programs aligned with the Foundation's mission. In 2024, Foundation staff contributed more than 55,000 program hours, and more than 650 community volunteers provided an additional 38,000 volunteer hours across all GGHF initiatives. The Foundation raised over $250,000 to support local nonprofit organizations, community projects, public programming, grants, scholarships, and direct assistance. Signature fundraising and community engagement events supporting the Foundation's five core program areas included Cider Swig, Shamrock'n the Harbor, INDULGE, Students of Distinction, Gig Harbor Basket Brigade, The Community Table, #CommunityHarvest, and The Green Gig. GGHF also continued to support Pierce County, Washington State Parks, the City of Gig Harbor, and local park districts through its EnviroCorps program-now in its 20th year-which provides structured opportunities for volunteers to help maintain beaches, parks, trails, roadways, and public lands. In 2024, EnviroCorps volunteers contributed more than 13,000 hours, collected over 2,300 bags of litter and 100 bags of recyclables, conducted 140 hours of Litter Patrol, and provided 150 hours of direct service to community agencies. EnviroCorps maintained 22 road sections throughout Gig Harbor and the greater peninsula region and assisted with multiple remote-area cleanups involving abandoned machinery, appliances, garbage, and tires, improving public safety and environmental health. The Foundation also advanced work on plans for a permanent community center that will house a senior center, an event space, and an environmental learning center designed to meet the region's growing and diverse needs.
  Expenses $532,883 · grants $86,250 · revenue $1
• The Foundation's largest program is GGHF Curious by Nature School (CBNS), the community's only nature-based early learning center. CBNS uses a Reggio Emilia-inspired, nature-immersed curriculum that supports the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and early literacy, math, science, and arts skills. Since 2012, the program has served more than 4,500 children ages 2 to 6 and has provided over $70,000 in tuition assistance to help reduce barriers to high-quality early childhood education. In 2024, CBNS served more than 400 children ages 2 to 10 through school-year programming, nature-based camps, and environmental education activities. The Foundation awarded $7,500 in financial assistance through the Steward Scholarship Fund, expanded its outdoor immersion program to meet growing demand, and offered free hands-on learning activities at multiple community events. CBNS also granted more than $5,000 to support professional development for early learning educators, with a focus on math readiness, literacy, social-emotional learning, and environmental stewardship. During 2024, CBNS continued its work toward becoming one of Washington State's first fully licensed outdoor, nature-based early learning programs through the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF). More than 300 children and their families participated in community-connected environmental learning through the Jr. Explorers Program. CBNS received grant support and proceeds from its annual fundraiser, The Green Gig, and benefited from more than 7,800 volunteer hours contributed by parents, grandparents, educators, scientists, interns, and community members. Summer school and camp programs engaged approximately 300 children ages 3 to 10 in extended outdoor learning experiences.
  Expenses $1,282,828 · grants $6,880 · revenue $1,340,919
• The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation's second-largest program is the Gig Harbor Senior Center (GHSC), the only community-based, self-funded center for active older adults in the greater Gig Harbor area. With more than 32% of the region's population now over age 60, GHSC continued expansion of its programs and services in 2024 to meet the growing needs of older adults seeking connection, wellness resources, educational opportunities, and social engagement. The Center has one 0.75 FTE director and one 0.35 FTE Tai Chi Instructor, and support from the Foundation's management and administrative staff for running day to day operations. Oversight and guidance is provided by a six-member Advisory Board. GHSC offereings include diverse programs that promote health, lifelong learning, community service, and social well-being. In 2024, GHSC built upon its 2023 professional services contract award from Pierce County Human Services by further developing and delivering programs specifically designed for adults age 60+. Membership and participation continued to increase, supported by a complex funding model that includes membership and program fees, private grants, business sponsorships, individual donations, and substantial financial and in-kind support from the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. Approximately 70% of GHSC's annual operating budget was supported by private donations and two major fundraising events-INDULGE and Shamrock'n the Harbor-with membership fees providing roughly 9% of the budget and GGHF contributing about 17% through general fund support, staff time, and donated services and goods. In 2024, GHSC continued to strengthen its role as a vital resource for the region's expanding senior population, offering accessible programming and community engagement opportunities that enhance independence, wellness, and quality of life for older adults.
  Expenses $108,558 · grants $335 · revenue $155,017
• Harbor Center - In 2024, major trides were made toward the "Harbor Center" (working title/name) will be located at the intersection of Pt. Fosdick & 36th in Gig Harbor, Washington. The 13.15-acre site will eb transformed into a community hub that integrates a long overdue senior center, event center and the community's first ever environmental learning center. Additionally, the project will ensure the permanent conservation of approximately 9 acres adjacent to the 209 acres of permanently forested land owned and managed by Pierce County Public Works as part of the Tacoma Narrows Airport protected fly zone. Accomplishments of 2024, included finalizing all studies, civil engineering, phase I architectural design work, and inital conservation strategy for permanent protection of about 65% of the site. The Harbor Center will be a place where generations connect, learn, and thrive - a community campus that includes a dedicated senior center, flexible event and learning spaces, and a nine-acre conservation area. By late 2024, the majority of all work was completed to prepare for submitting to Pierce County for permitting.
  Expenses $19,679 · revenue $50,600
• The Minerva Scholarship Fund continues to grant scholarships to women in the Peninsula area.
  Expenses $37,008 · grants $34,000 · revenue $85,581
• Gig Harbor Basket Brigade - established in 1993 the Basket Brigade has provided more than 20,000 Thanksgiving meals (and more) to area families over the years. Each year, the Basket Brigade engages hundreds of volunteers. In 2022, while at the end of the pandemic, we were able to deliver more than 700 Thanksgiving Baskets to local families. More than 450 volunteers came to assist in the two-day operation, assembling baskets and delivering them.
  Expenses $24,835 · grants $6,000 · revenue $22,701
• Students of Distinction is a community recognition program that awards post-secondary scholarships. In 2022, the program returned to its pre COVID-19 in-person awards dinner platform to recognize and celebrate the nominated graduating seniors for their remarkable achievements before a crowd of 200+ teachers, sponsors, family, and the community. This year, 36 Peninsula School District high school seniors were honored for superior effort in seven categories: Academics, Athletics, Business & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Music, Art & Drama, Overcoming Adversity, and Science & Technology. Scholarships awarded were $12,000. Nearly $245,000 in post secondary scholarships have been awarded since 2003 and over 580 students have been recognized.
  Expenses $21,080 · grants $11,250 · revenue $25,759
• Heron's Key Scholarship Fund. Started in 2018, the Heron's Key Scholarship Fund (HKSF) works to provide resources to Gig Harbor's youth in support of education programs within the Peninsula School District, including scholarship assistance to individual students and project support for staff enrichment. Since 2018, the fund has provided more than $40,000 in post secondary scholarships.
  Expenses $27,901 · grants $26,650 · revenue $25,115
• Lu Winsor Memorial Environmental Grant Fund. Over the past 18 years, the Lu Winsor Environmental Grant program has awarded over $225,000 to 31 entities. Funds have been particularly instrumental in setting the building blocks for local organization to develop environmental education programs such as the YMCA's Camp Seymour and Harbor Wild Watch, which have received nearly half of the 108 Lu Winsor grants to date. Over time, the funds available have grown with increased support from the Foundation and Pierce County. In the 2022 cycle, $22,000 in grants were awarded to nine local organizations, Pierce County Conservation District, Peninsula School District, and two private citizens carrying out stewardship work aligned with the program's mission.
  Expenses $11,375 · grants $11,375 · revenue $9,002

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

43-2104829

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

2006

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Recreation and sports (N32)

Assets (IRS master file)

$2,430,938

Income (IRS master file)

$2,167,426

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 43-2104829).

Questions about GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION

What is the EIN of GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION?

The employer identification number (EIN) of GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION is 43-2104829.

Is GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2006.

Are donations to GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.

Who is the principal officer of GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names Julie Ann Gustanski PhD LLM.

Who are the officers and directors of GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 14 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $68,952 (Ariel Gustanski, Chief Operating Officer).

How much revenue does GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $2,167,426, expenses of $2,066,147 and total assets of $2,430,938 at year end.

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