The Baker Foundation

Giving Back to Our Community For more than 74 years the Baker family owned and published the Tacoma News Tribune. In 1986 Elbert sold The Tacoma News Tribune to McClatchy Newspapers. Taking $1.5 million from the sale of the News Tribune, he established The Baker Trust and Foundation in 1987 to provide funding for Tacoma youth programs, arts and education. “Tacoma did so much for my father; he just wanted to give something back,” said Elbert’s daughter, Martine, a former director. In 1995 Elbert Baker died, leaving his family to continue the labor of love he had begun. Elbert loved the city of Tacoma, its people, and its institutions. His vision for the Foundation was that it should provide a legacy of fine arts, education, and health institution funding for the community, emphasizing programs for youth. The trust grows each year by about $100,000 in assets and it disperses at least five percent of its total annually. Recipients are determined by the Baker Foundation board, family members who each contribute to the trust financially. Supporting the Future The Baker Foundation has provided funding for the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, children’s art programs, local theater, and many annual events. The Baker Foundation Scholarship is awarded each year to seniors graduating from Tacoma high schools who show academic and civic merit. The Frank S. Baker Center is home to Day Surgery of Tacoma and other medical treatment facilities. The Sprague Building was rededicated as The Betye Martin Baker Human Service Center in 1995 after a major gift from Elbert Baker made complete renovation of the building possible. The Baker Foundation is dedicated to preserving and furthering the vision of its founder through many years ahead. Like Elbert H. Baker II, the Foundation is a dynamic yet quiet influence in the community he loved. The people and institutions of Tacoma and Pierce County will continue to benefit from his vision for many generations