A Message from Our CEO
What an amazing start to summer! I have loved seeing PRIDE celebrations, festivals, neighborhood gatherings, and community events bringing thousands of people together across our region. These moments remind us that community is powerful. When we show up for one another, we build strong relationships, and create spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, connected, and joyful.
And let’s lean into JOY a bit. Joy is contagious, and Joy grows when it is shared. It has the power to lift our spirits, strengthen relationships, and remind us that even in the middle of whatever is keeping us busy, there is still so much worth celebrating.
JOY will be on full display this weekend.Oasis Youth Center’s Big Hat Brunch offers a joyful opportunity to celebrate and support the organization’s important work with LGBTQIA+ youth. PorchFest will bring Tacoma’s neighborhoods to life through local music, creativity, and connection. Partners & Pairings will also unite neighbors in support of the Key Peninsula Co-op Preschool and the Key Peninsula Partnership for a Healthy Community, helping strengthen local families, early learning, and community well-being.
Summer is a powerful reminder of what is possible when people come together with purpose and make space for joy. I hope you will join CPIN and the Purpose Fund as we celebrate local organizations, strengthen community connections, and support one another—and that you will go on your own JOY Journey soon.
Dr. Angela Silva
CPIN Staff in ACTION!
CPIN Grant Writer Rachel Kunze was in Detroit, Michigan in June at the 5th Annual Projects for Public Placemaking International Conference! It was wonderful to connect with other placemakers, grantwriters, community storytellers, and advocacy groups to learn better practices around how to tell the stories of your community and the work you are doing in it! Rachel is thrilled to bring this knowledge (and some amazing ideas of how people are making impacts around the world!) back into her grant writing for CPIN.
Rachel was not the only Tacoma Resident in Detroit - Jennifer English, Director of Spaceworks, and David Schroedel, Executive Director of Downtown Tacoma Partnership were also in attendance! Tacoma is going to have a lot of new, great, inspired ideas and innovations coming up after such a great week of learning, meeting and growing as organizations!
CPIN was also at Tacoma Pride!! Thank you to Queer Stability and Tacoma Youth Symphony for sharing a table with us! It was amazing to see how much this event has grown over the years and it is always encouraging to see such a large turnout in support of the queer community. It is always a joy to table at community events, thank you to everyone who stopped by to say “hello”!
CPIN Events!
CPIN’s Monthly Open House - Visit us on the Third Friday of Each Month
Join us on Friday August 14th from 1pm to 3pm for our next community resource day. We offer free fresh and shelf stable food, hygiene items, and clothing. Text our Resource Coordinator, Millie at 253-278-8861 to set up your appointment. Do you need to visit us on a different day? Reach out to Millie to schedule this day and time.
Doing some tidying? We accept donations of gently used clothes, men's and children’s clothes, toys and household items, as well as food, diapers, wipes, hygiene items, and medical supplies such as blood pressure cuffs, glucose meters, reading glasses, etc. Keep an eye on our social media for updates on what we need to what we have in stock for our outreach days.
As we ease into the end of Summer we are also requesting donations of school supplies and backpacks. You can drop supplies off at our office or with one of our community partners, The RISE Center of Hilltop and the Tacoma Slavic Association.
Join #TeamCPIN for our Local on Purpose Event to Support Manuscript
This month, we are excited to feature Manuscript, a local business bringing great food, drinks, and community connection to the heart of Tacoma. Please join us on July 30th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. for a tasty meal or beverage, meaningful conversation, and an opportunity to support this special place.
RSVP below to be entered into a raffle to win one of two $25 Manuscript gift cards. You must be present that evening to win!
Our #LocalOnPurpose events are designed to celebrate and uplift businesses that help make Pierce County vibrant, creative, and connected. By showing up, sharing their work, and spending locally, we can help strengthen our local economy and build stronger community relationships.
Know a Pierce County business that deserves to be featured next? Fill out the form below to nominate them for an upcoming monthly highlight. We would love to hear your recommendations!
CPIN Is Hosting Rotary Club of Tacoma #8
Thursday, August 13th at 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM
1305 Tacoma Ave S. Suite 320
Join CPIN as we host members and guests of Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 for an evening of connection, community, and service. Tacoma Rotary #8 brings together business, professional, and community leaders who are committed to strengthening Tacoma and creating positive change locally and globally.
This gathering is a great opportunity for anyone who has been considering Rotary membership, wants to expand their professional and community network, or would like to learn more about this amazing co-working space including CPIN’s office partners, Queer Stability and Sahale Outdoors.
Free Summer Learning Series:
CPIN is partnering with the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) to help small businesses better understand the OMWBE certification process and the benefits of becoming certified. The series will also provide practical guidance on identifying, evaluating, and pursuing funding and contracting opportunities for your business or organization. All sessions will be offered bilingually in English and Spanish.
OMWBE-Led Sessions
August 12 — Part 1: OMWBE Certification 101: Who, Why, and How
Join us for an introductory session on the OMWBE certification process. Participants will learn who is eligible, the benefits of certification, and the steps required to apply. The session will include a walkthrough of the application process and time for individual questions.
August 19 — Part 2: OMWBE Bids and Contracting Opportunities
This session will provide a closer look at how to identify current bid and contracting opportunities through OMWBE and other public procurement resources. Participants will learn how to navigate opportunity listings, understand common solicitation requirements, and prepare the documents and business information needed to respond.
CPIN-Led Sessions
August 26 — Part 3: Reviewing Competitive Opportunities and Requests for Proposals
Funding and contracting opportunities can include multiple requirements, attachments, and evaluation criteria. In this session, participants will review sample opportunities and Requests for Proposals to better understand how to assess eligibility, alignment, and competitiveness. We will also discuss commodity codes, business classifications, and other key information used to match businesses with relevant opportunities.
September 2 — Part 4: Positioning Your Business for Success
This session will focus on practical strategies for positioning your business as a strong and competitive candidate for public and private contracting opportunities. Topics will include presenting your business effectively, developing a compelling capability statement, navigating procurement portals, building relationships with potential partners and purchasers, and using networking opportunities to increase visibility. Participants will also learn how to differentiate their business and strengthen their readiness for future opportunities.
Office Events with Queer Stability
Queer Stability partners with members of the community to offer these amazing events! Want to learn how to weld, need sewing advice or want to start a wellness practice. How about a cruise around Foss Harbor? We got these events and more on the Queer Stability Events calendar.
CPIN Client Events and Activities
The Oasis Center Annual Big Hat Brunch!
Saturday, July 18, 2026 10 AM - 2 PM
This year’s theme, Rainforest Flora & Fauna, invites guests into a vibrant world teeming with life among lush canopies, dazzling foliage, and awe-inspiring vistas. The forest exudes adventure and curiosity, sheltering all life beneath its magnificent cover.
Step into the wild. Dress to delight. And help us grow a brighter future for queer youth.
Partners & Pairings
Saturday, July 18, 2026 5 PM - 8 PM
Partners & Pairings, is a fundraising dinner benefiting two awesome organizations, Key Peninsula Co-op Preschool and the Key Peninsula Partnership for a Healthy Community.
Tacoma Porchfest is LIVE this Weekend, July 18th and 19th!
Tacoma Porchfest is a free TWO DAY walkable event featuring performers on “stages” hosted on porches across 10 blocks in Central Tacoma. Check out their website for this year’s lineup and an interactive map with important locations, including water stations, where to buy merch, and food trucks.
Caribbean Queen Festival: Carnival in the Streets
CPIN is proud to sponsor this event hosted by Trini Plate and Caribbean Queens!!
Come hungry, come ready to dance, and come ready to celebrate. Caribbean Queens Festival brings the warmth, rhythm, and flavor of the Caribbean to Downtown Tacoma for one unforgettable summer day.
Community Events and Resources
Motors & Movies: Pixar Cars
July 24th, 7PM - 11PM, It’s Free!
Grab dinner at our picnic concessions and watch in your car or from a blanket, either option will provide you a great view of the 40-foot tall outdoor screen.
Motors & Movies is FREE and open to all ages, no RSVP required, first come first served.
Tacoma Bon Odori Festival
Saturday, August 1st, 2026 4-8pm on Fawcett St.
Obon is also known as Kangi-e or "Gathering of Joy” and is a major festival and Jodo Shinshu memorial service to honor ancestors and all those who have passed away. Everyone is welcome to dance, enjoy the food and just watch the dancing and taiko performances.
