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 […]
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 […]
Tacoma’s $800K Investment in Youth and Culture Guided by Community Voices
The City of Tacoma, in partnership with the Foundation for Tacoma Students, has launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) as part of an $800,000 funding initiative to expand youth programming […]
Beyond Quick Fixes: Why Washington’s Teacher Diversity Gap Demands Bold Policy Action
At the Foundation for Tacoma Students, we are committed to our community goal: ensuring that by 2030, 70% of high school graduates earn a college degree, technical certificate, or secure […]
Pathways to Possibility: Supporting 1,840 More Students to Success
During last week’s State of Public Education (SOPE) symposium, Foundation for Tacoma Students Executive Director Dr. Tafona Ervin set forth a clear vision: supporting 1,840 more Tacoma students to post-secondary […]
Overcoming Barriers to Higher Education with Campaign Free Aid
Affordability remains a significant barrier to higher education, with access to financial aid playing a crucial role in students’ decisions to pursue postsecondary credentials. To help students navigate this hurdle, […]