Supporting Community Needs

Community giving is at the center of our mission. Through the Community Needs Fund, Kent Community Foundation provides support to local nonprofits that are actively serving families and individuals in the Greater Kent and Covington area. These grants prioritize organizations working together to strengthen food security, hygiene access, housing stability, resource distribution, mental health support, and other essential needs. By supporting this fund, you help ensure that our community members have access to the care and resources they need to thrive.

🔗 Donate to the Community Needs Fund

The Gail Gese Scholarship

The Gail Gese Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Gail by helping students who are preparing for careers in behavioral health. These students will go on to support neighbors, families, and friends right here in our community. Having caring behavioral health professionals makes a real difference in everyday life, and this fund helps make that possible. Two scholarships have been awarded so far, each one continuing Gail’s spirit of kindness and care.

🔗 Support the Gail Gese Scholarship Fund

Are You Our Next Board Member?

Kent Community Foundation is looking for community members who care about strengthening local connections, supporting nonprofits, and helping guide our work in the year ahead. Serving on the board is a way to contribute your perspective, skills, and energy to projects that directly support Kent families, students, and organizations. If you’re invested in the future of our community and want to be part of shaping it, we’d love to talk. More details will be shared soon.

MEET OUR CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

Helping Hands in Our Neighborhoods

An uplifting story from Kent Community:
Early on the morning of November 11th, our board president received a call from a truck driver who discovered several boxes of trail mix left over from a recent delivery and available to donate. Thanks to quick coordination from our board and their families, we were able to secure the boxes and deliver them to the Kent Food Bank!

A huge thank-you to everyone involved for helping ensure these snacks made it to those who need them most!

Have an uplifting story about community giving? We’d love to hear! Send your community stories to info@kentcommunityfoundation.com!

SUBMIT HERE

Let's Help the Kent Food Bank!

As we head into winter, we encourage our community to support the Kent Food Bank. Monetary donations are especially helpful because they allow the food bank to purchase fresh foods and essential supplies for families in our area. If you prefer to donate items, nonperishable foods are always welcome and appreciated. Every contribution, big or small, helps make sure our neighbors have what they need to enjoy a warm and nourishing holiday season

From Kent Food Bank Executive Director Jeniece Choate:

Support from KCF has significantly enhanced the Kent Food Bank’s ability to engage with our community. KCF helped us promote successful food drives and expand our social media outreach. As a result, we’ve reached more donors, raised greater awareness about food insecurity, and strengthened our capacity to serve our community.

DONATE HERE

We wish you a happy season of thanks!

From your friends at Kent Community Foundation

Our Mission & Vision

At Kent Community Foundation, our vision is simple yet powerful: a vibrant community where all have the opportunity to thrive. We pursue this by living our mission every day: strengthening and supporting our community through partnerships and philanthropy. Together with donors, partners, and neighbors, we are building a stronger Kent for today and for the future.

🔗 Learn more at KentCommunityFoundation.com

September STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
Briawna Chan

LINDA RUBY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Pursuing Higher Ed at the University of Washington

“It’s been such a journey and huge decision making it to graduate school and pursuing higher education! The Kent Community Foundation has always provided me the opportunity to just reach for my goal and explore more possibilities! I wouldn’t have started this Master’s Program if it wasn’t for this scholarship, quite excited to be continuing my education.”

-Briawna Chan

Community Events Fund

We’re thrilled to share that the Grant Committee has selected Kent Youth and Family Services to receive a $500 Community Events Fund grant! This award will send 10 children and their families to experience the magic of Disney on Ice.

Pictured: Cynthia Boyd and Kelly Spreitzer, founders of the Community Events Fund, with members of Kent Community Foundation.

Arts and Education Fund

The Grant Committee has awarded $1,000 from the Arts & Education Fund to support the Tahlequah and Baby Orca Story and Art: Comfort and Joy for Adults and Children Navigating Grief project, fiscally sponsored by Allied Arts Foundation.

Through tactile storytelling, original art, and a compassionate community gathering at the Kent Historical Museum, this project will bring comfort and connection to adults and children in the Greater Kent and Covington area as they navigate grief. Inspired by Tahlequah and her baby orca’s journey, the project honors the universal bonds of love and remembrance.

Artwork: Project prototype illustration by Julie Seitz. AI generated. 07.20.2025

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Scholarship Opportunity: Voice of Democracy

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) invites high school students to participate in the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program. Established in 1947, this annual competition gives students the chance to share their perspectives on democracy and patriotism while competing for educational scholarships. Each year, more than 26,000 students nationwide enter for their share of $1.4 million in awards. The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship, and other national scholarships range from $1,000 to $21,000.Students must submit their recorded essay on this year’s theme, along with the completed 2025–2026 entry form, to a local participating VFW Post by midnight on October 31.

APPLY HERE

Sponsors Needed: Support Community Power with Mother Africa

This fall, Mother Africa will host two powerful gatherings—the Community Resource & Civic Engagement Fair (Oct. 3 in Kent) and the Cultural Night & Ballot Party (Oct. 25 in Federal Way). These events bring together hundreds of immigrant and refugee families, service providers, and community leaders to celebrate culture, build civic power, and expand access to vital resources.

By becoming a sponsor, your organization will gain visibility, connect directly with community members, and invest in equity, civic participation, and cultural pride.

LEARN MORE

Have a Great Autumn!

From your friends at Kent Community Foundation

🎨 Arts & Education Grant — Apply by July 31
Do you have a project that fosters creativity or educational growth in the Greater Kent area?
Our Arts & Education Grant supports programs that expand access to learning, the arts, and youth development. Open to nonprofits, educators, and community leaders. Ideal for summer programs, public art, youth initiatives, and more. Applications due Wednesday, July 31

🔗 Apply now at KentCommunityFoundation.com

And just for educators: Apply for grants directly through the Kent Schools Foundation at Kentschoolsfoundation.org

July Student Spotlight: Kent Community Foundation Scholarships
Andrew Cao
RICHARD AND INA BALASH SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

“I feel very fortunate to have been able to be a part of this incredible award throughout my entire college journey” -Andrew Cao

🎟️ Community Events Fund — With Accesso Showare Center

Planning a group event to accesso ShoWare Center this year? The Community Events Fund can help cover ticket costs and create access for underserved audiences. Priority given to Showare Center and City of Kent Spotlight Series Open to nonprofits and community groups

COMMUNITY EVENTS APPLICATION

🤝 Start a Fund or Scholarship with KCF

Want to create lasting impact in Kent? You can establish your own community giving fund or scholarship through Kent Community Foundation.

Whether you’re honoring a loved one, supporting students, or giving back to your neighborhood, we make it simple and personal.

We handle the admin, you choose the purpose.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GIVING

Have a safe summer!

From your friends at Kent Community Foundation

Honoring the Class of 2025 Scholarship Recipients

This year, Kent Community Foundation awarded $131,000 in scholarships to 37 students in our community — a tremendous milestone made possible by the generosity of our donors and the care of our scholarship fund holders. This year also marked the final awarding of the Richard and Ina Balash Scholarship, and we took a moment during the event to recognize Ina Balash’s 22 years of service and impact through this fund.
A heartfelt thank you to our scholarship evaluators, whose time and thoughtful attention made this process possible. It was a privilege to gather in person and witness so many bright futures coming to life.

JUNE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
Jack Carriles
Kent Rotary Club Scholarship

“Thank you so much for helping me in my journey.” -Jack Carriles

Experience More Together: The Community Events Fund

The Community Events Fund is here to help individuals and families in Greater Kent enjoy arts, sports, and cultural events, regardless of financial circumstances. Whether it’s a concert, local festival, or sporting event, this grant covers admission costs so more people can take part in the experiences that bring our community together.

If your program provides admission assistance to local events, we invite you to apply. This fund exists to help create joyful, meaningful memories and ensure everyone feels welcome in the life of our community.

Support for Creativity and Learning

The Arts & Education Grant Fund is now accepting applications through July 31. This fund supports projects that enhance educational opportunities or enrich the cultural arts in our community. Whether you’re promoting creativity, improving access to learning, or growing cultural engagement in Kent or Covington, we encourage you to apply.

Grants are open to organizations and community agencies serving the greater Kent/Covington area, and are reviewed semi-annually based on criteria including community value, participation, goals, budget, exposure, and evaluation plans. We’re proud to continue investing in initiatives that inspire connection, curiosity, and growth for our neighbors.

Ready to get started? Applications due July 31

APPLY NOW

Stay Connected, Stay Involved
Thank you for being part of our community. Whether you’re attending events, applying for grants, or supporting our work through donations, you help make Kent a stronger, more connected place. To learn more, get involved, or set up your own giving fund, visit kentcommunityfoundation.com.

We’re glad you’re here.

See you next month,

Your friends at Kent Community Foundation

In May, the Kent Community Foundation awarded Kent School District students with 49 scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year. Totaling more than $100,000, the scholarships include 14 scholarships administered directly by the Kent Community Foundation as well as those from partner organizations, including the Kent Area PTSA, Rotary Club of Kent, Valley Girls & Guys, and Kent Rotary.

“This community scholarship event is a celebration of achievement, not just for the recipients but for the entire community. It’s an opportunity to recognize and honor the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of students striving to reach their academic goals despite challenges,” said Brenda Farwell, president of the Kent Community Foundation.
​
“This annual event brings together local businesses, organizations, and individuals with a common purpose: to invest in the future by supporting the educational aspirations of deserving students,” Farwell added. “Through a wide range of scholarship opportunities, we are able to cater to diverse fields of study and backgrounds. This means more students have access to financial support, maximizing the impact on the community, now and in the future.”

This year’s scholarship award recipients, listed by school, are as follows:

Kentlake High School scholarship recipients 

• Kent Chamber of Commerce Scholarship: Alyssa Phillips

• Richard and Ina Balash Scholarship: Rylan Renggli

• Thunderbird Community Sports Foundation: Morgan Martinsons

• Emiko Craig Scholarship: Sophia Soriano

• Kent Area PTSA Scholarship: Morgan Martinsons

• Rotary Club of Kent Scholarship: Morgan Martinsons and Rylan Renggli

• Valley Girls & Guys Scholarship: Charli Culp and Tristan Jave Petruic
  

Kent Laboratory Academy scholarship recipients

• Diego Morena Scholarship: Micah Osgoodby

• Kent Area PTSA Scholarship: Micah Osgoodby

• Linda Ruby Scholarship: Dominique Smith

• Rotary Club of Kent: Dominique Smith
  

Kent-Meridian High School scholarship recipients 

• Mike Simmons Scholarship: Carlos Zuno and Dunya Farahman

• Rob Osborne Scholarship: Marlene Veveris

• Jim McGinnis Scholarship: Adrianna Patala, Giftie Mbala, Hana Amos, Ashley Arenas and Stephanie Garcia

• Jan Louis Quitoriano Scholarship: Hana Amos

• Johnson/Stoddard Osness Scholarship: Hana Amos

• Audrey Rose Sells Scholarship: Dafne Gomez Barragan

• Gail Gese Scholarship: Stephanie Garcia

• Kent Area PTSA Scholarship: Stephanie Garcia

• Rotary Club of Kent Scholarship: Hana Amos
  

Kentridge High School scholarship recipients 

• Kent Chamber of Commerce Scholarship: Peace Kathanzu

• Linda Ruby Scholarship: Hannah Schloemer

• Pat Butler Scholarship: Brittney Van

• Kent Area PTSA Scholarship: Charles Shaffer

• Kent Rotary Scholarship: Charles Shaffer, Kaiulani Sale’-Ayala and Rylan Gullard

• Kent Sunrise Rotary Club of Kent Scholarship: Peace Kathanzu

• Valley Girls & Guys Scholarship: Mila Tsai
  

Kentwood High School scholarship recipients 

• Kent Area PTSA Scholarship: Ernest Rian Acob

• Linda Ruby Scholarship: Leila Ramirez-Noon

• Rotary Club of Kent: Maritza Mendoza Sandoval
  

Repeat scholarship recipients from past years

• Richard & Ina Balash Scholarship: Shumoos Abdelrahman and Andrew Cao

• Pat Butler Scholarship: Ashley Peris

• Thunderbird Community Sports Foundation Scholarship: Cassandra Champman

• Linda Ruby Scholarship: Jessica Gaul, Karina Foree and Briawna Chan
  

More than 130 people attended the annual scholarship awards celebration, emceed by Kentlake teacher, DECA advisor and former foundation board member Amy Hobson. Attendees included 18 students and their families, donors, Kent School District staff, the Kent Community Foundation board, foundation volunteers and community supporters.

Food was provided by board members and Medina Café & Grill in Kent. In addition to the presentation of the scholarships, Dr. Wade Barringer, deputy superintendent of the Kent School District, talked about creating the Mike Simmons scholarship in Simmons’ memory and how this legacy translates into continued support for education.

Interested students submitted their applications through the user-friendly Kent Community Foundation scholarship portal. Eligible students could apply for more than one scholarship, and certain scholarships allow past winners to reapply after their initial award.

Scholarship recipients were selected by committees for each scholarship. Christine Sellers was one of the scholarship reviewers.

“With all of the negative things that are on the news and going on in the world, being a scholarship evaluator gives me a great deal of hope for the future of our young people. I am always in awe of the amazing things the students are accomplishing, the goals they are setting, and the contributions they want to make. Doing this is special to me as I started doing so with my father-in-law, Lew Sellers, at his request. He is no longer able to be an evaluator, so I am doing it in his honor,” Sellers said.
​
For more information about creating a scholarship fund or donating to an existing one, please contact Brenda Farwell at 206-786-1546 or info@kentcommunityfoundation.org.

Each year, the Kent Community Foundation awards at least 14 scholarships, drawing dozens of applications from students in the Kent School District area. (Students who are homeschooled or attending private school are also eligible.) It takes a village to thoroughly review each scholarship application and select the recipients for each academic year. We have a team of volunteers who are passionate about education to help us do that.

Each scholarship has its own scholarship review committee, led by a committee chair. Now that this scholarship season is behind us, we want to take a moment to thank the dozens of scholarship evaluators who helped select this year’s winners.

KENT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Audrey Rose Sells Scholarship
Carolyn Tolas (chair)
Alan Sells
Heidi Dearborn

Diego Moreno Scholarship
Kim Walley (chair)
Lizzie Lee
Shelly Moreno
Alejandra Moreno

Gary Carpenter Scholarship
Brenda Farwell (chair)
Vicki Nelson
Jordan Straughan
Gary Allen
Carolyn Tolas

Gail Gese Memorial Scholarship
Cathy Wahlin (chair)
Erika Hanson
Leigh-Ann Lunde

Jan Louise Quitoriano
Brenda Farwell (chair)
David Radford
Betsy Schelien
Lester Quitoriana
​
Jim McGinnis Scholarship
Lori Paxton (chair)
Dana Ralph
Elisa Aguayo Munoz
Deborah Drake
​
Johnson/Stoddard/Osness Scholarship
Dee Klem (chair)
Jim Osness
Sara Novion
Christine Sellers

“With all of the negative things that are on the news and going on in the world, being a scholarship evaluator gives me a great deal of hope for the future of our young people. I am always in awe of the amazing things the students are accomplishing, the goals they are setting, and the contributions they want to make. Doing this is special to me as I started doing so with my father-in-law at his request. He is no longer able to be an evaluator, so I am doing it in his honor.”
~ Christine Sellers

Kent Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
Lori Paxton (chair)
Zenovia Harris
Kent Chamber Intern

Linda Ruby Scholarship
Lori Paxton (chair)
Earle Ruby
Jen Wu
Jill Hoepfinger

Mike Simmons Scholarship
Dee Klem (chair)
Christine Simmons
JP Frame
Wade Barringer

Pat Butler Scholarship
Jordan Straughan (chair)
Ted Butler
Kim Walley
Carolyn Tolas

Richard and Ina Balash (RIB) Scholarship
Cathy Wahlin (chair)
Ina Balash
Jessica Hall
Dana Neuts

Ron Osborne Scholarship
Dee Klem (chair)
Ron Ness
Lisa Kelly

Thunderbird Community Sports Foundation
Brenda Farwell (chair)
Steve Klem
Han Kirkland

KENT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PARTNERS

Kent Area PTSA
Jenny Shaw
Jennifer Richie
Joel Shaw

Kent Schools Foundation – Emiko Craig
Allyson Johnson
Corine LaVerne
Vivian Kauth

Rotary Club Sunrise Kent
Tray Svenson
Dave Mitchell

Rotary Club of Kent
Kim Walley
Jordan Straughan
Andy Carter
Hilary Okrant-Grilley
Jeff Arnold
Julie Shott

Valley Girls & Guys
Tina McDonough

As hundreds of people arrive in the greater Kent area from Afghanistan due to relocation efforts, the Kent Community Foundation is launching an Afghan Crisis Fund to provide meals, medical treatment, basic resources and other support to help meet the needs of these newcomers.

A special kick-off fundraiser is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23 at Olive Tree Mediterranean Restaurant, 12930 SE Kent-Kangley Road.

Zana Abdulaziz, co-owner of Olive Tree and a member of the Kent Community Foundation Board, has pledged a minimum of $1,000 from the proceeds of items purchased on Sept. 23 to the Afghan Crisis Fund. Many years ago, his family relocated to the United States from Kurdistan giving him first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by people coming here from another culture.
“We want to help and give back,” Abdulaziz said. “Our customers have helped us during the difficult last year and now we want to help others.”

Representatives from the Kent Community Foundation will be on hand throughout the event to provide additional information and to facilitate donations to the fund.
“After talking with several of the resettlement agencies and support groups focused on helping the incoming Afghans, we know there are many gaps,” said Dave Mitchell, interim executive director of the Kent Community Foundation. “We plan to use money from this fund to enable local nonprofits to fill the gaps and better serve the people being relocated here.”

Nonprofits can apply for grants from the Kent Community Foundation’s Afghan Crisis Fund at kentcommunityfoundation.org.

Donations are welcome from the community. Donate via the Kent Community Foundation website under the donate option at Afghan Crisis Fund.

The Kent Community Foundation was established in 1986. The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen and support our community through partnerships and philanthropy. The Foundation has awarded about $1 million in scholarships and cultural arts grants since it began.

In 2020, the Kent Community Foundation led the establishment of the Kent Community Partners which includes over 50 organizations committed to work together – across historical divides – to serve people in need.

.

[View the video segment here.]

People who escaped the Taliban in Afghanistan are transitioning into their new lives in the Pacific Northwest. Just last month, more than 300 refugees made it to Washington. With more people arriving soon, communities are coming together to help support their new start.

The Kent Community Foundation is launching the Afghan Crisis Fund. It’s the group’s latest fundraiser to support the city’s new international neighbors. 

"We’re better together and we want each person to be welcomed. Our tag line for the City of Kent is ‘bringing the world home.’ And we need to be a welcoming home, said Dave Mitchell, interim executive director of the Kent Community Foundation. 

The foundation is kicking off fundraising efforts, September 23, in partnership with Olive Tree Mediterranean Restaurant in Kent.  From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., proceeds from every purchase at the restaurant will go to the Afghan Crisis Fund. 

"Some of the newest neighbors that we’re going to have from Afghanistan are coming with a status of ‘humanitarian parolee,’ instead of ‘refugee.’ And as such, they’re not going to have access to all the services that a refugee would have. So, we know there are gaps," said Mitchell.

The interim executive director said money raised would help support meals, medical needs, school supplies and more.

"We have employment needs, we want some of our new neighbors to be employed here. We want them to be helped up and during the difficult transitions and cultural changes. We really want them to be successful," said Mitchell. 

Zana Abdulaziz said he is living his American dream. He is the co-owner of Olive Tree Mediterranean Restaurant.

"Opportunities and doors have opened for us and what we want to do is do the same for people that are coming here, the refugees. Give them the same opportunity, let’s get them going right away," said Abdulaziz.

He was a refugee from Kurdistan. Abdulaziz said watching people flee for their lives from Kabul, Afghanistan reminds him of his family’s escape to the United States in 1993. 

"You’re coming here, you don’t know the language, you don’t know the culture, you don’t know what’s going on. You’re pretty much living in another world. We’re all breathing the same air, but sometimes you’re living in another world on this planet and that’s what it felt like for us," said Abdulaziz.

A foreign country soon felt like home to Abdulaziz and his family, and he credits local programs that helped them transition to their new lives in Washington. Abdulaziz, also a member of the Kent Community Foundation, said he felt a passion to give back to those living through similar experiences.

"It’s unfortunate that things continue to repeat themselves. So, what we’re doing here is trying to open eyes and let people know that we can all help each other," said Abdulaziz. "Our objective here is to guide them, to let them know that you’re not alone, that there are plenty of us here in the community that are reaching out. We’re here."

Abdulaziz said Olive Tree has already pledged a minimum $1,000 donation.