Norman Tonina and Cindy Finnie join the local foundation’s board of directors

Port Angeles, WA, July 25, 2017– At its annual meeting held on July 24, 2017, First Federal Community Foundation elected Norman Tonina and Cindy Finnie to serve two-year terms on the local nonprofit’s board of directors. The Foundation also elected David Flodstrom to an additional two-year term on its board. Flodstrom has been chairman of the foundation since its inception.

“We are pleased to welcome Norm and Cindy to our board at this exciting time,” said foundation executive director Karen McCormick. “They bring fresh perspective and a strong commitment to the foundation and to our communities.”

Norman J. Tonina, Jr. has served as the Chairman of the Fort Worden Public Development Authority in Port Townsend, Washington since 2015. Mr. Tonina is also an adjunct faculty member in Seattle Pacific University’s graduate program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Mr. Tonina most recently worked at Grameen Foundation, a non-governmental organization focused on enabling the poor to create a world without poverty, where he served as an advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors (2012-16) and as its Chief Human Resources Officer (2010-12), focused on driving strategic alignment, organizational effectiveness, and human resource re-engineering initiatives. He began his career at Digital Equipment Corporation in 1987 and joined Microsoft in 1993 as a finance manager for its Systems products, rising to become Senior Director of Finance for Microsoft’s Platforms and Applications business. In 1999, he transitioned to Human Resources, where he directed major strategic global HR initiatives, spending the majority of his time focused on culture, leadership, and talent strategies. Mr.  Tonina earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University, a certificate in human resources from the University of Michigan, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Antioch University. Mr. Tonina continues to be actively involved in community organizations in both Seattle and Port Townsend, Washington.

Cindy H. Finnie retired in 2011 from Allstate Insurance Company after 38 years of leadership experience. Her range of responsibilities included property and casualty underwriting, sales management, business development, agency management, financial management and developing insurance agencies. Ms. Finnie was also responsible for introducing and developing the financial services market in her area. Ms. Finnie is the co-owner and President of Rainshadow Properties, Inc., a boutique hotel and property management company that she co-founded in 1995. Ms. Finnie is also a director and past president of the Centrum Foundation, past Chair of the Washington State Arts Commission, past Chair of the Fort Worden Public Development Authority, a former director of the Jefferson County Community Foundation and a member of the City of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and director of the Fort Worden Foundation.

About the First Federal Community Foundation:  First Federal Community Foundation is a private 501(c)3 charitable corporation funded with a gift of cash and stock from First Northwest Bancorp, the parent company of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles. The Foundation provides funding for community support, affordable housing, economic development and community development in communities where First Federal operates a full-service branch.

About First Federal:  First Federal is a subsidiary of First Northwest Bancorp (FNWB). First Federal is a Washington-chartered, community-based savings bank headquartered in Port Angeles, WA. First Federal is currently serving Western Washington through 12 banking centers; located within Clallam, Jefferson, King, Kitsap and Whatcom counties. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. www.ourfirstfed.com / (360)417.3204 / (800)800.1577

Fifteen Local Nonprofits Receive $300,000 in Gifts

Port Angeles, WA, May 1, 2017– First Federal Community Foundation announces the following grant awards to local nonprofits that are making a difference in their communities:

• Brigid Collins Family Support Center: Awarded $6,500 Community Support Grant for capital improvements to its Bellingham facility.
• Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County: Awarded $50,000 Affordable Housing Grant for construction of 24 townhomes for 120 low-income working adults and children.
• Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County: Awarded $50,000 Affordable Housing Grant for the South County Home Repair Program.
• Joyce Fire Department Auxiliary: Awarded $5,000 Community Support Grant for the Joyce Emergency Planning and Preparation Group’s emergency preparedness initiative.
• Kitsap Immigration Assistance Center: Awarded $5,000 Community Support Grant for training programs to build the agency’s capacity in Kitsap County.
• New Dungeness Light Station Association: Awarded $5,000 Community Support Grant for improvements to interior and exterior signage and interpretive panels at the Dungeness Lighthouse in Sequim.
• Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding: Awarded $25,000 Economic Development Grant for capital improvements to the Hammond Shop classroom in Port Hadlock.
• Peninsula Housing Authority: Awarded $45,000 Community Development Grant for construction of a new playground for the Mt. Angeles View campus in Port Angeles.
• Scarlet Road: Awarded $5,000 Community Support Grant for aftercare program for victims of sex trafficking/exploitation in Kitsap County.
• Sequim School District #323-Hellen Haller Elementary School: Awarded $11,000 Community Support Grant for the 2017 Summer Reading Program.
• Skillmation: Awarded $7,500 Community Support Grant for website upgrades to support mentoring programs in Jefferson County.
• Skookum Kids: Awarded $25,000 Community Development Grant for capital improvements to the agency’s indoor playground and café in Bellingham.
• The Coffee Oasis: Awarded $25,000 Affordable Housing Grant to expand capacity to reach homeless and at-risk youth in Kitsap County.
• Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics: Awarded $30,000 Community Development Grant for expansion of the agency’s medical clinic in Port Angeles.
• Washington Nonprofits: Awarded $5,000 Community Support Grant for nonprofit training programs that build capacity in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties.

 “First Federal Community Foundation recognizes the positive impact these organizations have within our communities,” said Foundation board chairman David Flodstrom. “We are proud to help them reach their goals, strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life for all of us.”

About the First Federal Community Foundation:  First Federal Community Foundation is a private 501(c)3 charitable corporation funded with a gift of cash and stock from First Northwest Bancorp, the parent company of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles. The Foundation provides funding for community support, affordable housing, economic development and community development in communities where First Federal operates a full-service branch.

About First Federal:  First Federal is a subsidiary of First Northwest Bancorp (FNWB). First Federal is a Washington-chartered, community-based savings bank headquartered in Port Angeles, WA. First Federal is currently serving Western Washington through 12 banking centers; located within Clallam, Jefferson, King, Kitsap and Whatcom counties. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. www.ourfirstfed.com / (360)417.3204 / (800)800.1577

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Karen McCormick at 360-417-3112 or email at karen.mccormick@firstfedcf.org.

Fifteen Local Nonprofits Receive $300,000 in Gifts

Port Angeles, WA, November 4, 2016– First Federal Community Foundation announces the following grant awards to local nonprofits that are making a difference in their communities:

• Bellingham Food Bank: Awarded $10,000 Community Support Challenge Grant to purchase and install a generator for emergency preparedness.
• Jefferson County Farmers Markets Association: Awarded $5,000 Community Support Matching Grant for the “Gimme5” food assistance program.
• Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children: Awarded $5,000 Community Support grant for the Uncompensated Care Fund for low-income youth who are patients of the agency’s Bremerton clinic.
• North Olympic Land Trust: Awarded $5,000 Community Support Matching Grant for the agency’s “Love Where You Live” education and awareness programs in Clallam County.
• Port Angeles Food Bank: Awarded $10,000 Community Support Challenge Grant to purchase and install a generator for emergency preparedness.
• Sequim Food Bank: Awarded a $10,000 Community Support Challenge Grant to purchase and install a generator for emergency preparedness.
• Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County: Awarded $5,000 Community Support grant for nurse training programs.
• Lydia Place: Awarded $25,000 Affordable Housing grant for “Strengthening Families, Building Futures” capital program to build capacity for the agency’s transitional housing facility and parent support programs in Whatcom County.
• Northwest Youth Services: Awarded $25,000 Affordable Housing grant for capital campaign to construct “22 North,” a shelter for homeless youth located in Bellingham.
• Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary Foundation: Awarded $25,000 Affordable Housing grant for capital campaign for “Morrow Manor,” a shelter for survivors of domestic violence, located in Poulsbo.
• Andrew’s Retirement Community: Awarded $25,000 Affordable Housing Challenge Grant for capital improvements to St. Andrew’s Place Assisted Living facility, located in Port Angeles.
• Central Stage Theatre of County Kitsap (CSTOCK): Awarded $50,000 Community Development Matching Grant for capital campaign to construct a new performing arts center in collaboration with the Central Kitsap School District, in Silverdale.
• North Kitsap Fishline: Awarded $25,000 Community Development Challenge Grant for “Transforming Lives” capital campaign to expand Comprehensive Services Center located in Poulsbo.
• Olympic Medical Center Foundation: Awarded $50,000 Community Development Grant for capital campaign to expand Cancer Care Center located in Sequim.
• West End Youth League: Awarded $25,000 Community Development Grant for construction of the Tod Horton On Deck Playground located in Forks.

“We are proud of these fine organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in our communities,” said Foundation board chairman David Flodstrom. “Our Foundation gifts help them accomplish their mission, which ultimately benefits all of us.”

 About the First Federal Community Foundation:  First Federal Community Foundation is a private 501(c)3 charitable corporation funded with a gift of cash and stock from First Northwest Bancorp, the parent company of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles. The Foundation provides funding for community support, affordable housing, economic development and community development in communities where First Federal operates a full-service branch.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Karen McCormick at 360-417-3112 or email at karen.mccormick@firstfedcf.org.

At its annual meeting held on July 25, 2016, First Federal Community Foundation elected Craig A. Curtis to a two-year term on the local nonprofit’s board of directors. The Foundation also expressed gratitude to outgoing director Stephen Oliver, who has served on the foundation’s board of directors since its inception.

“We are delighted that Craig has joined our board of directors at this exciting time,” said Karen McCormick, Executive Director of the foundation. “He brings a wealth of talent and experience that will benefit the foundation and the communities we serve.”

Curtis is a registered architect and Principal at The Miller Hull Partnership, where he has been employed since 1987. He is also President of Katerra Architecture, LLC, a real estate design, manufacturing and construction company with a vision to make leading-edge buildings affordable and accessible to everyone in the world. Curtis has degrees in Architecture and Construction Management from Washington State University and chairs the External Advisory Board for the WSU Center for Environmental Research and Educational Outreach. A resident of Kitsap County for 26 years, Curtis has served on committees for the North Kitsap School District and the Suquamish Community Advisory Board. He has served on the board of directors of First Federal Bank since 2014.

Other Foundation directors include David Flodstrom, Chairman, and Karen McCormick, who is also the organization’s executive director. Foundation officers elected at the July 25th annual meeting are Joyce Ruiz, Secretary, and Regina Wood, Treasurer. First Federal President Larry Hueth is the foundation’s Registered Agent.

Thirteen Local Nonprofits Receive $300,500 in Gifts

Port Angeles, WA, May 2, 2016– First Federal Community Foundation (the Foundation) announces the following grant awards to local nonprofits that are making a difference in their communities:

• Assistance League of Bellingham: Awarded $5,000 Community Support grant for Operation School Bell, to provide school clothes to children from low income families.
• Clallam-Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyers: Awarded $5,500 Community Support grant to support drop-in civil legal aid for low income clients.
• Easter Seals Washington-Olympic Peninsula Autism Center: Awarded $5,000 Community Support grant to purchase therapeutic equipment for Silverdale center.
• First Step Family Support Center: Awarded $20,000 Community Support grant to fund volunteer coordinator to build volunteer program and expand capacity in Clallam County.
• Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts: Awarded $5,000 Community Support grant to sponsor Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts performances for youth.
• Northwind Arts Center: Awarded $10,000 Community Support grant to provide summer educational scholarships for children from low income families in Jefferson County.
• Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County: Awarded $50,000 Affordable Housing grant for Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
• New Life Community Development Agency: Awarded $50,000 Economic Development challenge grant for construction of the Birkenfeld Economic Empowerment Center in Bremerton.
• Camp Beausite Northwest: Awarded $25,000 Community Development challenge grant for completion of Phase III of facilities expansion program, expanding the agency’s capacity to serve people with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities throughout the region.
• Captain Joseph House Foundation: Awarded a matching Community Development grant with a maximum of $25,000 for capital improvements to the Captain Joseph House in Port Angeles.
• Central Kitsap Food Bank: Awarded $25,000 Community Development grant for purchase of a new box truck.
• Olympic Peninsula YMCA: Awarded $25,000 Community Development grant for start-up capital for the Sequim YMCA (formerly SARC).
• Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics (VIMO): Awarded $50,000 Community Development grant for expansion of the agency’s dental services.

“We are pleased to announce these gifts to organizations that are improving the quality of life in our communities,” said Foundation board chairman David Flodstrom. “First Federal is proud of its legacy of giving back to the communities it serves.”

The Foundation’s next open application period will begin on July 1, 2016. Interested parties can access grant guidelines and the grant application form via the Foundation’s website at www.firstfedcf.org.

About the First Federal Community Foundation:  First Federal Community Foundation is a private 501(c)3 charitable corporation funded with a gift of cash and stock from First Northwest Bancorp, the parent company of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles. The Foundation provides funding for community support, affordable housing, economic development and community development in communities where First Federal operates a full-service branch.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Karen McCormick at 360-417-3112 or email at karen.mccormick@firstfedcf.org.