A Message from Our CEO
This month, I’ve been thinking a lot about noise.
There is so much competing for our attention every day — social media, news, notifications, opinions, headlines, and the constant pressure to keep up with everything happening around us. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all of it especially as summer winds down and we ease into Fall.
So this month, I’m choosing to clear out some of the noise and focus on something closer to home: community.
At CPIN, creating opportunities for community is at the heart of what we do every day. Sometimes that looks like working in partnership with The Purpose Fund to serve dozens of families and teens through free food and clothing outreach events in our Tacoma office and alongside the Franklin Pierce Resource Center and Gates High School. Sometimes it looks like helping people navigate systems, connect to resources, or build stronger organizations.
And sometimes it means making sure community members have a real voice in shaping what happens where they live.
Over the past month, we also had the opportunity to work alongside several local community groups and businesses through the Participatory Budgeting program focused on White Center and Skyway in King County. Collectively this program offered $2.8 million in funding to support community-led efforts.
We also love the work we do to support technical assistance, capacity building, and idea sharing through partnerships with The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation and the providers we work with as part of the Best Starts for Kids program.
This month CPIN is also celebrating our 6 year anniversary, Wow! This is 6 years of building the most amazing team and creating impact through seeking and securing funding (over $75 million) and helping organizations navigate through compliance needs and strategic decisions.
Everyday, I am amazed by the power we create through gratitude and from our own perspectives. And everyday, I am reminded that some of the most meaningful work happens when people come together, share ideas, and help decide what their communities need most.
There will always be noise around us. But there is also good work happening every day — neighbors supporting neighbors, organizations collaborating, young people being seen and supported, and communities creating solutions together.
That is where I want to keep my attention.
At CPIN, we will continue to create space for connection, opportunity, and community — because that work matters.
Dr. Angela Silva
CPIN Staff in ACTION!
Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities
CPIN was a proud sponsor of TACID’s first ever Backyard Benefit. We love that so many community members showed up and had an amazing afternoon filled with games, live music and of course delicious BBQ. And we love that they exceeded their fundraising goal. Bravo to our friends at TACID! Here is a quote from TACID’s Facebook page celebrating their success:
“Greetings Friends, Followers and Supporters! Today, we're excited and very pleased to share that we EXCEEDED our 2026 Backyard Benefit & Silent Auction fundraising goal of $60,000! As of today, we have raised $63,271! THANK YOU to everyone who attended, donated, bought raffle tickets and bid in the Silent Auction. We also want to express our gratitude and give a special shout out to all the SPONSORS who helped to make our fundraiser such a great event.”
Hilltop Artists Luncheon
CPIN was a proud sponsor and attendee of Hilltop Artists’ Better Future Luncheon. The luncheon and ongoing auction supports Hilltop Artists students as they build life-changing skills and discover the power of their own voices through glass art.
Missed the event? You can still support! The silent auction is open for bidding through October 18.
OMWBE Regional Contracting Forum
Karisa Guess from #teamCPIN recently participated in the Regional Contracting Forum. We love engaging in these types of events so we can learn about trends in supporting small businesses and how to engage with new and upcoming contracting opportunities. The forum brought together prime contractors, including large general contracting firms, as well as public agencies such as the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Sound Transit, and the Department of Enterprise Services. The Port of Tacoma, Port of Seattle, King County, and Pierce County were also in attendance, along with many other organizations.
Together, participants represented a strong cross-section of the entities that fund, facilitate, and award work across our region. Meeting decision makers one-on-one gave CPIN a clearer picture of how each organization approaches procurement, what they look for in small business partners, and where opportunities may align with the small businesses and nonprofits CPIN supports across Pierce and King Counties.
CPIN is grateful to the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) for stewarding this event and creating an accessible way for small businesses to connect directly with the people making contracting decisions. Opportunities like this help small businesses learn, build relationships, and be awarded more work.
Local On Purpose September Event Recap
Last month’s Local On Purpose event was a little unique, we hosted a Magic The Gathering game night at The Rusty Goat! Tacoma has a strong gaming community, with several game stores in the area, and the Rusty Goat is a great space for folks to gather together for games, good food and drinks. Tacoma’s gamers showed up and we had a great time!
We are really proud of the small businesses we featured during our Summer Local on Purpose events. We hope you will plan a visit to the Crafty Beaver, Manuscript, Structure Cellars, Artist and Craftsman Supply and of course, The Rusty Goat. Local On Purpose will be on hiatus for the time being, but CPIN and the Purpose Fund remain committed to supporting local businesses. Follow us on social media where we share posts from local businesses and nonprofits making an impact in our community.
CPIN Client Wins!
Reclaiming Our Greatness United Way King County Podcast Feature!
We are excited to shout out Marshaun Barber, director of Reclaiming Our Greatness, who was recently interviewed for United Way’s podcast “Hourglass”. Here is part of the episode’s description and a link to listen on Spotify (though the podcast is available on other platforms as well!)
“Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about a workforce development partnership for youth and young adults in South Seattle.
United Way-supported grantees Reclaiming our Greatness and Glover EmpowerMentoring are teaming up to launch the GEM to Greatness Collaborative. The partnership will equip youth and young adults with the knowledge, skills, relationships, and support needed to build healthy and financially secure lives.
We’ll chat with Reclaiming Our Greatness founder and director Marshaun Barber and Glover EmpowerMentoring founder and director Kendrick Glover about their partnership and each organization’s current work current work to support and empower communities in South Seattle.”
CPIN Events!
CPIN’s Monthly Open House - Visit us on the Third Friday of each Month
Join us on the third Friday of the month from 1pm to 3pm for our community resource day. Our upcoming resource days are October 16th, November 20th, and December 18th, 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 cleaning? We accept donations of gently used clothes mens and children’s clothes, toys and household items, as well as food, diapers and hygiene items. Keep an eye on our social media for updates on what we need to what we have in stock for our outreach days.
CPIN is Collaborating with the Family Resource Center at Franklin Pierce
CPIN will be partnering with the Franklin Pierce Family Resource Center to provide free clothes and food on November 13th and December 15th from 11am to 1pm. ! Contact Blanca Sagastizado by calling or texting 253-278-3349, or email bsagastizado@fpschools.org for more info and to schedule your appointment.
Make an Appointment with Family Resource Center
People Supported Agriculture - Farm Share Boxes are Here!
Our Farm Share Bags are here and we are excited to be partnering with Pink Moon Farms to bring these fresh produce bags directly to you or a neighbor. You can buy a bag of Farm Fresh Produce for $25, or sponsor a box for a neighbor! We have three monthly pick-ups on the calendar. The next pick up will be at our office, Tuesday October 20th, between 4pm and 6pm. We also have a pick up on Wednesday, November 18 and Wednesday, December 16.
People Supported Agriculture (PSA) is a community-based food system model that connects you directly with local farmers. By purchasing your share (or one for someone in need), you're supporting a small business and helping growers plan and produce fresh, seasonal food. In return, participants receive a share of the harvest, enjoy direct access to nutritious, locally grown produce, and build deeper connections with the people and land that sustain them.
This initiative is proudly supported by the Purpose Fund.
Shout out to The Queer Stability Foundation
We are super jazzed that the Queer Stability Foundation is now a recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. For the past year they have been building our organization with support from the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. Being recognized as their own non profit entity is part of our larger plan for community impact.
What began as an idea, creating greater stability, opportunity, and belonging for LGBTQIA2S+ people and our broader community, is continuing to grow into something tangible. Queer Stability Foundation is building programs, partnerships, spaces, and resources designed to strengthen individuals, entrepreneurs, families, and organizations throughout our community.
With their nonprofit status established, they are now accepting tax-deductible general donations directly to Queer Stability Foundation.
Office Events with Queer Stability
Queer Stability partners with members of the community to offer these amazing events! Want to learn small business basics, need sewing advice, want to start a wellness practice or just connect with community. We got these events and more on the Queer Stability Events calendar.
CPIN Client Events and Activities
16th Annual RBN Charity Auction to Support Brotherhood RISE Center
October 17th, 5:00pm at the Tacoma Convention Center
CPIN is proud to attend this year’s auction where we will be supporting The Brotherhood RISE Center at the 16th Annual RBN Charity Auction: Developing the Negative — Bringing Life to Color is happening Saturday, October 17 at the Tacoma Convention Center! This year's auction will support The Brotherhood RISE Center and the incredible work they’re doing to help people overcome barriers through mentorship, education, workforce development, life skills, and community connection. Missed the auction but want to learn more about The RISE Center and donate? Check out their website here.
Join L’Arche Tahoma Hope in a Fall Celebration!
Sahale Outdoors 3rd Annual Outside In Gala
November 7, 2026, 6 pm at the Bryant Neighborhood Center
CPIN is excited to sponsor tables for this event and we invite you to join us at the Sahale Outdoors annual gala celebration that brings people together to support youth and their connection to the outdoors. Get ready for a lively evening of outdoor themed Bingo, including a dessert dash, a wine pull, a silent auction, and a prize drawing—plenty of ways to join the fun and take home something special. They will be serving a catered dinner and each ticket includes a drink voucher good for beer, wine, or cider.
Most importantly, every dollar raised helps youth in the South Sound and beyond experience nature in ways that support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Let’s play, laugh, and make a difference—together.
Community Events and Resources
Please Join artist Susan Clifford for Road Trip, Abstracted Landscapes, Reception 10/18
Check out new paintings by Susan Clifford from her series Road Trip, Abstracted Landscapes inspired by the Pacific NW. Roberson Art Space hosts the artist reception during Tacoma Studio Tours this Sunday from 2-4 pm and the public is invited.
Swing by, have a cup of coffee from our local roaster, Outer Dark and say hello!
RAS is located in the lobby of the Roberson Condominiums (708 Market St) and has been hosting quarterly artists since March, 2025. Want to learn more about Susan, check out her webpage.
HOSMER TRUNK OR TREAT!
Join Hosmer Business District for the 2026 Hosmer Trunk or Treat! 🎃👻
📅 Date: October 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: 9505 S. Steele Street
🚗 Vendor setup/check-in: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Pierce County Thriving Together: Resources and Events for Pierce County Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Date: October 29, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: STAR Center - Journey Hall, 3873 S 66th St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Pierce County Community Navigator Program Thriving Together Resource Events are ideal for local small business owners and entrepreneurs to network and learn about the resources available to help businesses thrive in Pierce County. Here's what attendees can look forward to:
- Connecting 1:1 with small business assistance providers
- Learning about free, small business programs and assistance
- B2B networking encouraged, bring your company's marketing info for a shared resource table
- Light refreshments and free on-site parking
