Philanthropy
Giving back to the community is extremely important to us. We’ve contributed our time and resources to a number of different organizations in the South Sound.
United Way of Pierce County has been serving our community since 1921, raising funds to support a wide range of social service partner organizations. UWPC is committed to tackling our community's toughest challenges and to improving lives in a measurable way with a "bold goal" to lift 15,000 Pierce County households out of poverty by 2028. Mark has been serving on the United Way of Pierce County board of directors since 2023.
Named by USA Today as one of the “Top 10 Places to See Art in Smaller Cities”, the Tacoma Art Museum serves as a vital anchor institution downtown. With a focus on regional art of the Pacific Northwest, the museum has recently undergone two major expansions – one to accommodate the Haub Family Collection of Western Art and one for the Rebecca and Jack Benaroya Collection. Jeff has been on the museum’s Board of Trustees since 2013 and is currently serving as Immediate Past President.
Tacoma Arts Live is a non-profit organization committed to activating three city owned theaters in downtown Tacoma, including the historic Pantages Theater, as well as the Tacoma Armory. Their mission is to energize community through live performance, and they offer a diverse slate of programming and educational services in support of that mission. Mark served on the organization’s board of trustees from 2012-2021.
With one campus at Fort Steilacoom and one in Puyallup, Pierce College was recently recognized as one of the top five community colleges in the country by the prestigious Aspen Institute, based on their strong record of improvement. The student body at Pierce includes a large number of first generation college students, many who must overcome significant obstacles in order to complete their studies. The Pierce College Foundation was established to better support these students in need. Jeff has served on the Foundation Board since 2017.
Greater Tacoma Community Foundation is deeply committed to bettering Pierce County by providing philanthropic support to meet the community’s needs and to maximize its potential. Through funding, networks and partnerships, GTCF aligns strategic thinking and donor dollars to support positive social change. Mark served as a GTCF ambassador from 2020-2022.
Founded in 1990, UW Tacoma is an urban serving university with a 46-acre campus located right in the heart of downtown Tacoma. The student body is extremely diverse, both in terms of ethnicity and age, and many students are the first in their family to attend college. Mark has served on two different community advisory boards for the university – one for the Urban Studies program and one for the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
The Pierce County Library Foundation raises funds from community members, businesses and other organizations in support of the library system’s strategic priorities. The foundation’s mission is to foster innovation, ensure access for all and inspire lifelong learning for a thriving, diverse Pierce County. Mark served on the foundation's Board of Directors from 2021-2022.