Morning Sessions
9:40am – Land Acknowledgement
Robyn Jones, Co-Chair of the 2025 SSPS and Sr Donor Relations Officer of United Way of Pierce County
Native Song performed by Children of the Setting Sun
10:00am – Keynote
Patrick Schmitt, Co-Founder of FreeWill
This session by national speaker will include 15 minutes for Q&A.
11:15am – Panel
Case Study: Pathways Home
The funding landscape for nonprofit service providers has recently shifted dramatically, challenging organizations to adapt while continuing to serve their communities. This session highlights innovative approaches from homeless service providers across Pierce, Thurston, and Kitsap Counties who are reimagining what “home” can look like. From tiny homes and scattered-site housing, to multiservice hubs and LGBTQ+ specific supports, panelists will share how their organizations are meeting clients’ unique needs in a rapidly changing environment—and what lessons can be applied across the nonprofit sector.
Moderator: Mike Yoder, Associated Ministries
Panelists: Joe Crain, St. Vincent De Paul, Bremerton; Trudy Soucoup, HomesFirst; Duke Paulson, The Rescue Mission and Good Neighbor Village; Aimee Khuu, Tacoma Community House
12:15am – Lunch Speaker
History of Philanthropy in Our Region
Every education has its tuition. The things that the Puget Sound region messed up so incredibly that they had no choice but to learn something life-changing from it.
Chris Staudinger, Co-Founder and Entrepreneur, Pretty Gritty Tours
Afternoon Sessions
1:10pm – Sessions
Choose the session that suits your fancy.
The History of Civil rights, Affirmative Action and DEI - Main Room
Dr. Terryl Ross, VP of Antiracism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Goodwill – Olympics & Rainier Region
In an age where we see equity programs like Affirmative Action and DEI initiatives under attack and museums and national landmarks that address racial inequities edited for “wokeness,” Dr. Ross will provide some historical context on these important issues and explore where we go from here.
2025 State & Federal Tax Law Changes (And Their Effect on Estate & Gift Planning) - Break Out Room
Todd Blodgett, Partner, Eisenhower Carlson
This session aims to update attendees with the latest understanding of the Washington State and Federal Tax Law changes using examples of how they may impact Estate Planning decisions and Charitable Gift Planning this year.
2:15pm – Sessions
Choose the session that suits your fancy.
"The RIFT* Project *Release IRA Funds Timely" - Main Room
Doug Page, Sr. Legacy Fellow, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
Steve Saalfeld, Philanthropy Advisor, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
Good news! Your non-profit was named a beneficiary of a donor’s IRA! Bad news! The IRA custodian won’t release the funds to your organization. What is the RIFT Project and how can it help your organization’s efforts to collect these funds as your donors intended? Doug and Steve will fill you in.
Legacy by Design: Smart Planning for Wealth, Family, & Philanthropy - Break Out Room
Joseph Banks, Estate Planning Attorney, Fahlman Little Wheeler, PLLC
This presentation explores how intentional estate planning can preserve wealth, strengthen family legacies, and amplify philanthropic impact. Special focus will be given to hypotheticals based on real world cases and practical strategies – ranging from charitable giving techniques to credit shelter (bypass) trusts – that empower individuals to design a legacy aligned with their values.
2:45pm – Case Study
David Fischer, General Manager, KNKX
Sarah McAtee, Director of Development, KNKX
David and Sarah of local NPR affiliate KNKX share how the station is striving to meet this moment of federal clawbacks and mistrust in media. They’ll share how KNKX has rose to meet budget shortfalls through fundraising amidst an effort to reinvent the station’s purpose and direction.
