Representatives of more than 30 nonprofit and charitable organizations were greeted and thanked by members of the Puyallup Tribal Council as they arrived for the June 20 celebration at the Emerald Queen Event Center in Tacoma. Tribal Council delivered remarks recognizing recipients and all attendees gathered for a group photo.
“It’s great to see all the different charities and the happiness they have, said Chairman Bill Sterud. “I know running a charity is not easy, it’s a lot of big work.”
The donations are funded from 2023 Emerald Queen Casino revenue as part of an agreement with the state of Washington that includes additional contributions for smoking cessation and problem gambling programs, and for impact costs paid to local governments for such things as fire and police services.
The Puyallup Tribe has donated more than $24 million to hundreds of local organizations through its Charity Trust Board since 2012. The Puyallup Tribal Council has donated millions more out of its own budget to help community organizations that don’t qualify for Charity Trust Board funding, such as Maui United Way, which received $30,000 in 2023 to assist with wildfire relief efforts.
Casino operations are also the single biggest revenue source for the Puyallup Tribe’s government. They pay for comprehensive services to the Tribe’s Membership, including children’s services, housing, educational support, emergency assistance and funeral services. In the past two years, the Tribe has embarked on an ambitious economic diversification program that will not only strengthen its economic base to bring security for future generations but bring more jobs to the region.
The Charitable Trust Board has awarded donations to the following organizations:
American Red Cross
Birthday Dreams
Camp Korey
Cancer Lifeline
Clover Park Technical College Foundation
Collar of Hope
Community Lifeline of Mason County
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
DuPont Historical Society
Elma High School Girls Softball Boosters
Exodus Housing
Golden 22 Foundation
Graham Senior Center
Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County
International Youth Fellowship
Jags Fastpitch Booster Club
Jubilee Women’s Center
Mineral Food Bank
Northwest Furniture Bank
Northwest Gang Investigators Association
Orting Senior Center
People for Animal Care & Kindness
Retreat Home
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington
Sabala International Center
Sahale Outdoors
Sarvey Wildlife Care Center
Step by Step Family Support Center
Sunshine Physically Challenged Foundation
Tacoma Mountain Rescue
Tacoma Pierce County Chaplaincy
Tacoma Public Schools Indian Education Program
Tacoma Rescue Mission
The Whole Horse Place
Washington State Business & Professional Women’s Foundation
YMCA Pierce and Kitsap Counties
Qualifying organizations are encouraged to apply for a donation with preference given to projects that demonstrate benefits or services to Natives as part of their service population. Learn more about the Charity Trust Board and how to apply for a grant.
