Encouraging Philanthropy

ENCOURAGING PHILANTHROPY

Kent Community Foundation’s Mission: “Strengthen and Support our community through partnerships and philanthropy”

This season the Kent Community Foundation (KCF) is emphasizing the opportunity for people to donate to a variety of worthy causes in our community. Some of these funds are managed by the Kent Community Foundation and others are managed by other nonprofits.

Our local “Philanthropy Menu” or “Holiday List” has many options highlighting a wide range of worthy causes including funds for basic needs (food, medical care, etc.), scholarships, administrative, and cultural arts.

We plan to highlight various opportunities between now and the end of the year. We encourage philanthropy in all forms throughout the year. We also want to recognize the great work of all the nonprofits in our community. They are fueled by volunteers and donations. We have a very strong community and willingness to reach out to people in need. What a vibrant community we are building!

SCHOLARSHIPS

  • KCF Diego Moreno Scholarship
    We are seeking to make this a perpetually endowed scholarship with a fund balance of $50,000; the fund balance is currently at about $35,000. Help support this scholarship created in memory of Kent Police Officer Diego Moreno, who lived and died following his principle to love and serve in all things. Awarded to a Kent student who has demonstrated a commitment to serving his or her community and intends to use their education to make the world a better place. Read more…
    Donation link: Diego Moreno Scholarship
  • KCF Jim McGinnis Scholarship for Kent-Meridian Graduates

This scholarship started as the Friends of Kent Meridian High School Scholarship and was created in 2010 by a group of Kent-Meridian High School Alumni and supporters, including Jim McGinnis, to allow students from Kent-Meridian HS the opportunity to attend college, who might not otherwise be able to financially afford it.  Read more…
Donation link: Jim McGinnis Scholarship for KM Grads

CULTURAL ARTS & EDUCATION

  • KCF Arts and Education Fund

Help us support innovative programs and events in the Greater Kent area. Organizations and schools can apply for grants for up to $1000 awarded on a quarterly basis. Most recent grants funded: – Kent Music4Life – Elementary school robotics kits – Glover Empower Mentoring (Martin Luther King Jr. program) – Puget Sound Keeper Alliance “Lost Urban Creeks Project”.
Donation link: Arts and Education Fund

  • Performing Arts Fund – administered by the KCF

The Spotlight Series was founded in 1998 and has been bringing high quality performing arts to the Kent community for twenty-three years. The ability to present top-notch performing artists depends on support from businesses and community members. Play a part in the next phase of Spotlight Series history!
Donation link: Performing Arts Fund

BASIC NEEDS

  • KCF Afghan Crisis Fund

We are anticipating over 300 new neighbors from Afghan in the next few months. The Afghan Crisis Fund will provide food, meals, basic resources, and other support during this time of unprecedented need due to relocation of hundreds of people from Afghan to the greater Kent area. “After talking with several of the resettlement agencies and support groups focused on helping the incoming Afghans, we know there are many gaps. We plan to use money from this fund to enable local nonprofits to fill the gaps and better serve the people being relocated here.”
Donation link: Afghan Crisis Fund

  • KCF COVID-19 Resource Fund (King County Council contribution in early 2022)
    COVID is still having impacts on many in our community (South King County). We have increased numbers of people in homelessness; eviction moratorium coming to an end; raising inflation and muted retail/restaurant business due to vaccine mandates. A group of community organizations including the Kent Community Foundation are working together to identify needs in the community and how we can best fill those needs. Help support us in this partnership (including the Greater Kent / Little Free Pantries project).
    Donation link: COVID-19 Resource Fund
  • Access to Recreation Fund (or “Youth and Adaptive Sports”) – administered by the KCF

This fund was originally created to ensure that no child or youth misses out on the opportunity to participate in recreation activities. This fund is now for Kent residents to participate in City of Kent youth and adaptive recreation programs. Scholarships are awarded, based on need, covering 50% of cost of enrollment.
Donation link: Youth and Adaptive Sports Fund

ADMINISTRATIVE NEEDS

  • Administrative Fund for Kent Community Foundation
    We know that more can be accomplished with an Executive Director. We’ve seen good progress over the past year and with a volunteer Interim Executive Director. By donating to this fund you will be supporting the Kent Community Foundation efforts to hire an Executive Director, insurance, rental space, and cover the costs for software required with the online scholarship process.
    Donation link: Admin

Community Partners to donate to:

  • Marge Williams Memorial Scholarship (administered by Kent Sunrise Rotary)
    This is a $2,500 annual scholarship is for a Kent School District graduate choosing to pursue a technical/vocational education. Kent Sunrise Rotary is considering making this a perpetually endowed scholarship ($50K fund balance) over the next several years.
    Donation contact email: mike@mamcpaps.com; Kent Sunrise Rotary, PO Box 813, Kent WA 98035