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Heron’s Key Awards $35,000 in Community Grants to Local Nonprofits

Jaimisa Gourley on November 13, 2025

Heron’s Key is proud to announce that, for the first time, our Social Accountability Fund is providing $35,000 in community grants to local nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to service.

These gifts will support groups making a positive difference across Gig Harbor and the surrounding region, especially those focused on older adults, community connection, and volunteer engagement.

“As a nonprofit, it matters to us that we’re not only caring for the people who live and work here, but also helping our wider community,” said Daphne Schneider, Chair of the Social Accountability Committee. “So many people are facing real challenges right now — especially around food security — and we’re proud that Heron’s Key can help.”

How the Social Accountability Grants Work

This new program invites residents and staff members to nominate nonprofit organizations doing meaningful work in our region. The Social Accountability Committee reviews each nomination and evaluates organizations based on their impact, alignment with our mission, and demonstrated need.

Through this process, Heron’s Key ensures that charitable giving reflects our values and supports causes that make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Our Focus Areas

As part of fulfilling our nonprofit mission, we focus our community outreach efforts in four key areas:

  • Seniors – Programs that serve older adults or invest in the future of aging.
  • Community – Initiatives that make a measurable impact in our region.
  • Volunteerism – Opportunities that engage residents and staff in giving back.
  • Mission – Efforts that further other elements of our organizational purpose.

This Year’s Charitable Recipients

These contributions reflect the values that guide Heron’s Key every day and the collective generosity of our residents, team members, and Board.

We’ll be celebrating these gifts and the impact they’ll have on December 3rd at Heron’s Key.

Green Living at Heron’s Key: Simple Steps to Make a Difference

Jaimisa Gourley on April 22, 2025

At Heron’s Key, our commitment to sustainability is deeply rooted in community spirit. Earth Day is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a reminder of the everyday choices we can make to create a healthier planet. Leading the charge here at Heron’s Key is our resident-led Green Interest Group, whose passion and dedication have sparked meaningful change across campus.

A Resident-Led Commitment to Change

Spearheaded by residents like longtime climate advocate Alison Kettering, the Green Interest Group at Heron’s Key has become an inspirational force in helping shape more conscious habits among our community. Their efforts go beyond education; they partner with our Facilities and Culinary Services teams to discover new strategies to help reduce waste and promote environmental awareness.

Each week, the group shares tips with fellow residents—small, practical steps that add up to a big impact. This grassroots approach has inspired others on campus to rethink their habits and make choices that are better for both people and the planet.

Why It Matters: The Climate Connection

One of the group’s primary focuses is reducing food waste, and for good reason. When food ends up in landfills, it decomposes without oxygen, creating methane, a greenhouse gas that’s more than 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills.

By composting organic waste instead, we can significantly cut down on methane emissions and return valuable nutrients to the soil. It’s a win-win for the planet and for future generations. Learn more from the Washington State Department of Ecology about managing organics and composting efforts locally.

Simple Steps to Live a Little Greener at Heron’s Key

Looking for ways to make a difference? Here are a few easy, effective actions inspired by the Green Interest Group at Heron’s Key:

  • Recycle smarter. Learn what can and can’t be recycled locally, and avoid “wish-cycling.”
  • Compost food scraps. Participate in on-campus composting or set up a countertop bin for organic waste. Learn more about Washington’s composting guidance.
  • Cut down on single-use plastics. Use reusable bags, bottles, and containers whenever possible.
  • Dispose responsibly. Join services like Ridwell to recycle hard-to-dispose-of items like plastic film, batteries, and textiles.
  • Spread the word. Talk to neighbors about easy sustainability swaps and help grow the momentum.

A Growing Movement at Heron’s Key

Thanks to the enthusiasm of the Green Interest Group and residents like Alison, Heron’s Key is seeing real change. There’s a shared sense of ownership, pride, and responsibility when it comes to caring for our environment, and that energy is contagious.

As we celebrate Earth Day at Heron’s Key, we’re reminded that every small action counts. We’re proud of the momentum building within our community and inspired by the commitment of our residents to continue learning, sharing, and taking steps—big and small—toward a more sustainable way of life.