Olympia YWCA suspends operations, launches fundraiser to keep doors open
YWCA Olympia, the nonprofit that for the past 80 years has helped to fight racism and sexism and support women and girls, announced Aug. 21 it will be suspending operations due to a lack of sustainable funding.
A fundraiser has been launched with a goal of $100,000 to keep doors from closing permanently.
According to a newsletter from the nonprofit, the nonprofit is facing a financial crisis that threatens its survival. Programs will be discontinued and staff reductions will be made in the coming weeks. The YWCA will keep only one co-director while it works to secure more sustainable funding.
The Olympian reached out to co-executive director Tali Economy and received an automatic reply that said as of Aug. 25, they no longer will be employed by the YWCA.
Without immediate community support, the YWCA will have to close its doors and sell the Kearney House, a 1907 home at 220 Union Ave. SE that serves as its headquarters, according to the newsletter.
During this time, volunteers will keep Kathleen’s Closet open with limited hours. The program that provides business and professional clothes for free will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday.
Youth programs and the Let’s Talk series will end Aug. 24, with the final talk scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The final talk will be hosted alongside the city’s Climate Programs and will explore the root causes of climate change, its impacts and what can be done to help. It will include a panel discussion, a Q&A and lunch.
The newsletter, which is attributed to YWCA staff and the board of directors, said the YWCA has worked beside the community to build programs that nurture leadership, create safe and empowering spaces, and support thousands through direct services and advocacy.
“As a community we’ve launched vital community efforts — including Work Options for Women, the Indo-Chinese Refugee Employment Project, SafePlace, Intercultural Foundations, Kathleen’s Closet, The Other Bank and more,” the newsletter said. “New Life Baptist Church began in Friendship Hall during a time when Black community members were not welcome in churches. Most recently, we’ve continued to uplift and advocate for women and girls of color, while challenging the structural barriers to justice and liberation.”
According to the newsletter, community engagement in the YWCA’s programs has tripled in recent years, and donations have grown threefold. If they reach the goal of $100,000 in immediate funding, the YWCA can continue running its programming while seeking more long-term funding solutions.
You can donate to the nonprofit at www.ywcaofolympia.org/donate.
The YWCA is also hosting an event Sept. 6 called the Grand Oly Opry fundraiser to help raise more funds for the nonprofit. More information can be found on the nonprofit’s website and on Facebook.
This story was originally published August 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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