Nonprofit organizations that want to increase tourism and overnight stays in Federal Way can get a little financial help from the City of Federal Way.

Applications for the City's Tourism Enhancement Grant program are due Sept. 30. Applicants will be invited to a committee review in October and grants will be awarded by December.

The South Sound Association of Health Underwriters has installed its 2010-11 executive board. They include: Chris Free of Rapport Benefits Group in Tacoma, president; David Maddock of Maddock & Associates in Tacoma, past president; Dan Eich of Oak Insurance Services in Olympia, president elect; Jan Smith of GHB Insurance Inc. in Olympia, vice president; Patty Rice of Albers & Co. in Tacoma, treasurer; Lisa McKay of Regence Life & Health in Tacoma, secretary; Jill Flodstrom of Flodstrom-N-Daughters Insurance in Puyallup, education/events; Ann Miller of Group Health, membership; and Nancy Harris of Regence BS in Tacoma, awards.

WashACE Blog takes a look at "Employers and the Economy" and more calls for a special legislative session to fix the state's budget.

Check out The Live Wire for the latest "Shoreline Update Update."

Habitat for Humanity of Mason County has hired Tammey Newton as executive director.
 
Newton has more than 15 years of marketing, fund development and management experience, in both corporate and non-profit sectors. She most recently worked for Mason County Literacy in Shelton.

Women's Funding Alliance has awarded $357,500 to 21 Washington organizations focused on providing political, economic and social opportunities for women and girls.

The grants, ranging from $2,000 to $25,000, bring the total community contribution of WFA to more than $5.5 million since the foundation's inception.

Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee will leave her post at the end of September to become CEO of Pioneer Human Services in Seattle.

The nonprofit organization has more than 1,000 employees at more than 50 locations statewide who deliver an integrated mix of social, health, economic and employment services to people on the margins of society.

The Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has awarded a $58,100 grant to Mason General Hospital for community breast cancer education and patient support.

The grant will support the "Early Detection and Patient Navigation" project, an initiative that provides women in Mason County with breast cancer awareness, outreach and screening services.

The board of directors of Wolf Haven International, a sanctuary for displaced wolves 12 miles south of Olympia, has voted to remove the executive director and begin a search for new leadership.

John Blankenship was director of the nonprofit organization for the past five years and is a retired U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employee. Steve Siera, president of Wolf Haven's board, cited the need for a change of direction as the primary reason for Blankenship's removal.

The North Thurston Kiwanis Foundation was presented with a $1000 grant by Allstate agent, Darlene Morales, as part of The Allstate Foundation's "Agency Hands in the Community" program.

The program, which began in 2003, recognizes Allstate agents' volunteerism within the community and provides financial support to organizations through The Allstate Foundation. Every Allstate agent who volunteers for a charitable organization in their community may qualify for this award.

The 15th Annual Puget Sound Bead Festival is scheduled for July 9-11 at the Hotel Murano's Bicentennial Pavilion, 1302 Broadway, Tacoma. The festival includes vendors, artists & bead merchants and artisans from across the country, bringing beads from all around the world. Admission is $7 for all three days. Click here for more information, or call The Bead Factory at (253)-572-5529, ext. 121, or (888) 500-BEAD.

The South Sound Partners for Philanthropy is hosting its annual Summer Fiesta at 4 p.m. July 12 at the Schmidt Mansion in Tumwater. The Summer Fiesta is open to all South Sound nonprofit agencies that are interested in learning more about South Sound Partners. For more information contact Ryan Betz at (360) 956-0755.

After 21 years of operating under Associated Ministries, the Hilltop Action Coalition has become an independent nonprofit organization.

Other nonprofits that were originally conceived and nurtured by Associated Ministries that have become stand-alone organizations include FISH Food Banks, Emergency Food Network, Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and the Pierce County Aids Foundation.

Nativity House has become a program of Catholic Community Services of Western Washington.

Nativity House, the Hospitality Kitchen and the Tacoma Avenue Shelter will form a new operating unit within CCS to serve homeless adults.

Tacoma Goodwill will open its 26th store on July 15 in Sequim.

The store will be located in the former Rite Aid building, 680C W. Washington St., in the Safeway shopping center.

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts' Tacoma Dream Home Raffle is over, but no one who purchased a ticket will be moving into new digs at 505 Broadway.

Sandra Kennewick of Bellevue won the grand prize of $25,000.

The 2010 national Delegate Assembly of Goodwill Industries, with representatives from more than 180 Goodwills across the country, gathered today at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center for the unveiling of Goodwill's new "Donation Movement."

The launch event featured professional models on a runway making "donations" and displaying the "D" logo, which will be on new clothes starting with products from its partner Levi Strauss & Co. Jim Gibbons, Goodwill Industries International president and CEO, would like to see the logo placed on any item that can be donated and have it become as recognizable as the recycling logo.

Washington Women's Foundation has selected the Emergency Food Network as one of five local nonprofit organizations receiving Pooled Grants totaling $475,000.

Pierce County's EFN was selected in the human services category and will receive $100,000.

Four members of Washington State Attorney General's Office have received national awards for their public service. Solicitor General Marnie Hart and Deputy Solicitors General Bill Collins and Anne Egeler received National Association of Attorneys General Best Brief award for their work on the Doe v. Reed case. The case, pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, involves a challenge to the state's open records law. Hart has worked at the AG's office since 1978. Collins began in 1977 and Egeler joined in 1990. Chief Deputy Brian Moran was selected for NAAG's Marvin Award. The award is given to those who have notably furthered the goals of cooperation and coordination among NAAG members. Moran has served at the Attorney General's Office for 13 years.

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission and MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions have been awarded a $1 million energy efficiency grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce.

The money will be leveraged toward the creation of a $10 million Sustainable Energy Trust to provide cost-effective financing for energy efficiency projects in nonprofit facilities and multifamily housing throughout the state.

Check out WashACE Blog for a roundup of statewide ballot initiatives, and an interesting story about how I-1098 will hurt the economy and the state budget.

The OlyBlog still has a few scholarships left for its nonprofit funding development seminar.

The Housing Authority of Thurston County will officially open its newest  apartment complex in Olympia on Thursday.

The 24-unit Olympia Crest Phase II development at 206 Lilly Road will serve six homeless families with children, six veterans and 12 working families of low income.