About

Mission
The Community Sustaining Fund (CSF) provides grant support for progressive, community-oriented projects in Thurston County. Our funding is aimed at creating and sustaining a democratic, just, nonviolent, and ecologically sound society.

History
​Due to a lack of dollars available for developing and maintaining local social change activities, a group formed in the Fall of 1985 to explore new forms of fundraising. After extensive research and discussion, CSF was created in the spring of 1987 to address this urgent need for local sources of revenue and began active grant-giving in 1989.

“Community connections were formed & strengthened.”
– participant in project by Art & Climate Action in the Forest, 2023

Our grants support progressive and community-oriented projects in Thurston County.  We support groups and individuals that are actively working to educate and involve this community in challenging and correcting the social, political and economic inequities around us.  CSF is a completely volunteer-run organization.

Funding Sources and Disposition
CSF is supported by “rounding up” — voluntary markups at the cash register by shoppers at the two branches of the Olympia Food Co-op — and by businesses and individuals through direct donations.  The amount of funds generated by these contributions varies from year to year. In 2024, sufficient funds had been generated to allow CSF to award over $11,000 through its two grant cycles. Between 2010 and 2024, the CFS awarded grants to more than 30 community organizations and individuals.

Application forms, including grant criteria and instructions, are available on our Grants page.

About: CSF Board of Directors
About: Brochure