Rekindling Trust in Higher Education: The Imperative of Financial Aid Programs
The Imperative of Financial Aid Programs At the Foundation for Tacoma Students (FFTS), we firmly believe that policy strategies aimed at increasing postsecondary enrollment rates should prioritize improving the uptake […]
Policy Learning Tour 2023: Movers and Shakers In The Local Community
We’ve recently wrapped up another exciting adventure at the Foundation for Tacoma Students: our annual Policy Learning Tour! This event brought together policymakers, elected officials, state agency leaders, and all […]
How Policy Can Equip Educators and Empower Students
If we are to advance education justice, we must address the systemic barriers that prevent our students from accessing the excellent educators they deserve. Research confirms what we know – […]
Funding the Future: Achieving Equity in Washington’s K-12 Education System
We acknowledge that many advocates across Washington State believe it is time to rethink how Washington funds public education. As an ally and advocate for education justice, we offer these […]
2023 Washington State Legislative Session Recap
The 2023 legislative session wrapped up on April 23. It’s fair to say that lawmakers and the governor notched significant accomplishments toward their priorities around housing, gun safety, and protecting […]
What You Told Us – And How We’re Responding
In July, we shared that the Foundation for Tacoma Students was entering a period of strategic pause to reflect, reset, and redesign our work. We promised to go deep, and […]
We need to increase rates of FAFSA completion
Last week Washington Governor Bob Ferguson launched the Washington Completes FAFSA Campaign. Through an executive order, Governor Ferguson has the directed the creation of the following: A Washington Completes FAFSA […]
From the CEO: FFTS to Enter a Period of Strategic Pause
The Foundation for Tacoma Students is entering a period of strategic pause and recalibration. Continuing our current level of operations is no longer financially sustainable, and maintaining the status quo would compromise the integrity of our mission.
Local Organizations Receive $800,000 for Youth and Cultural Programming
When over 12,000 residents cast their votes in Tacoma’s participatory budgeting process, their message was clear: invest in our youth and celebrate our cultures. Today, that community vision becomes reality as the City of Tacoma and the Foundation for Tacoma Students announce the recipients of $800,000 in funding for locally-led programming that will transform District 4’s eastside neighborhoods.
Community at the Table for Student Success
At last month’s Charting Our Future conference, hundreds of community leaders and advocates gathered to reflect, connect, and reimagine a path forward. One message echoed across every panel and conversation: […]
The Power of Us in Practice: Insights from Charting Our Future
Charting Our Future 2025 saw our community come together to share stories, spark ideas, and strengthen a shared commitment to youth success. As we return to our everyday roles, the […]
Community, Courage, and The Power of Us
At the 2025 Charting Our Future conference, Dr. Tafona Ervin delivered a powerful opening address that met the moment with clarity, courage, and conviction. Acknowledging the weight of today’s political […]
Centering The Student Experience By Design
This year’s Community Impact Award recipient, Clover Park Technical College (CPTC), demonstrates what’s possible when student experiences are placed at the center of institutional efforts. By redesigning its approach and […]
Seven reflections on the 2025 legislative session
The 2025 legislative session adjourned on April 27. The final budget deal between Democrats in the legislature and the Governor was the big hang-up for the entire session, and three […]
Lots of moving pieces in the legislative session
April 21st is day 99 out of 105 for the 2025 Legislative Session. At this point it’s very unclear from the outside what is going to happen with regards to […]