Pender-Thurston Education and Community Foundation Fund

05/28/2026

MORE THAN 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING!
Pender will have a full carnival ride midway on Main Street for this year's community celebration for the first time since 1984 — Friday and Saturday, June 26th and 27th! Lots of details on the weekend still to come so stay up to date with The Pender Times for everything from this year's full event schedule to all of the related traffic procedures.

SPREAD THE WORD!

05/10/2026

🎓 Congratulations Graduates! 🎓 Your accomplishments are noteworthy, and the opportunities ahead are boundless. The Pender Thurston Foundation takes joy in presenting these 'There is no Place like Home' plaques to the graduating class, extending an invitation for them to return and make Pender-Thurston their home in the years to come. Congratulations to the Pender High School Class of 2026!

05/05/2026

The Foundation Fund is celebrating our amazing staff at Pender Public Schools during Teacher Appreciation Week! 🍎

We combined the fun with Cinco de Mayo—taco bar and slushies for everyone! 🌮🥤

Thank you for all you do! ❤️

04/17/2026

-❤️-

04/16/2026

🐉🌳 Thanks to the Parks & Greenspace Committee, construction on the Dragon Trail has officially begun!

This new trail will safely connect Pender Public Schools to Pender Community Center—giving kids a better, safer way to get around without walking on the streets.

A huge win for our community and our kids! Thank you to all the donors that made this project possible!

04/15/2026

✨ Have an idea that could make a difference in our community? We’d love to hear it. The Pender-Thurston Education and Community Foundation Fund is now accepting grant applications through our website!

Through our grant program, we support projects that strengthen and grow our communities—whether that’s addressing emerging needs, building partnerships, enhancing local spaces, or creating opportunities that bring people together. We’re especially excited about ideas that make a lasting impact and help move Pender and Thurston forward.

If you’re part of a nonprofit or community organization with a vision to improve lives locally, we encourage you to apply.

👉 Apply here:

Our grants make a difference on a local + long-term level Our Fund Advisory Committee reviews grant applications on a quarterly basis. January 1 | April 1 | July 1 | October 1 Our Process Grant applications will be reviewed and considered quarterly. The selection committee will review all applicatio...

04/09/2026

There’s something special about a community that shows up for its own.

Over the years, the Pender-Thurston Education & Community Foundation Fund has quietly—but powerfully—helped bring ideas to life across our towns. From parks and playgrounds to youth programs, housing studies, and community events, each grant tells a story of neighbors investing in neighbors.

This snapshot of grantmaking over time shows just how far that generosity has reached—over $400,000 reinvested right back into Pender and Thurston.

It’s a reflection of what’s possible when people believe in their community and choose to build something lasting together.

03/27/2026

🎓 Scholarship Opportunities Now Open!

The Pender Thurston Education and Community Foundation (PTECFF) is proud to support local learners at every stage—and applications are now open!

✔️ High School Seniors – Traditional scholarships are open now through April 1. Contact your school guidance counselor to apply.
✔️ Continuing Education & Adult Learners – Non-traditional scholarships are available year-round for college, graduate programs, and more.

💙 Over the years, PTECFF has invested $70,000+ into more than 100 community members, helping turn educational goals into reality.

Whether you’re just starting out or continuing your journey, this support is here for you.

👉 Read the full press release and learn how to apply: https://www.ptecff.org/news/ptecff-scholarship-opportunities-now-open-for-pender-and-thurston-community-members

03/12/2026

In a recent podcast episode, Rural Radio Network's Scott Foster talks with Dee Moeller and Mikayla Doht with the Pender-Thurston Education and Community Foundation Fund, who share how a community of just 1,238 people has reinvested $7.68 million back into local projects.

From a $7 million community center that includes a wellness facility, event hall, city offices, and daycare… to a new sports complex, hospital expansion, Main Street housing improvements, scholarships, and youth leadership efforts — Pender-Thurston has built a culture of philanthropy that runs deep.

Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EqWySJTf84&list=PLt9IhbyCATVY5YhJAM2k-bnIqg87BLM-K&index=4

03/01/2026

Excitement Starts Here — Join Us for a Community Celebration!

5:00-7:00pm