TAN Vision
The Tacoma Anchor Network is creating a new normal for how business is done by leveraging institutional assets to address economic, social, and racial inequities. We work collaboratively to keep resources circulating locally and ensure that all people who live here can work here and all people who work here can afford to live here.
TAN Mission
- Strengthen interconnectedness & collaboration between institutions in order to
- Increase contract and procurement spending with local businesses, with an emphasis on minority-and women-owned business.
- Increase the number of living wage jobs available to Tacoma residents in key industries, and increase access to those jobs by removing systemic barriers
- Increase the amount of place-based investment that focuses on social and economic disparities in Tacoma
- Advance policy at a local, regional, and state level that enables anchor institutions to more effectively use their economic resources to meet needs identified by residents.
TAN Values
- The Tacoma Anchor Network is committed to
- Collaboration and resource sharing between institutions
- Racial, gender, social, economic, and environmental equity
- Responsiveness to community priorities and needs
- Action, accountability, and shared responsibility
What type of institutions should be members of TAN?
- Type of Institution: TAN defines anchor institutions as public and private non-profit organizations with a significant economic influence in Tacoma — including purchasing power, workforce, and investments.
- Geography: TAN is interested in supporting the “economic watershed” of Tacoma. No city exists in a bubble, and this is abundantly clear in the economic connections of Tacoma, Pierce County, and the South Sound Region. TAN seeks to engage anchor institutions that have a stake in Tacoma, its residents, and its future.
Current TAN Members:
- Bates Technical College
- City of Tacoma
- Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
- Metro Parks Tacoma
- MultiCare Health System
- Tacoma Community College
- Tacoma Housing Authority
- Tacoma Public Schools
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Pierce Transit
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Washington, Tacoma
- Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
Expectations of Membership
TAN is committed to meeting members where they are and helping them advance in their journey. We understand that participation will look different for each institution. TAN will help each member find ways to leverage its unique strengths to achieve the network vision.
How will TAN partner with other community groups and organizations?
Collaboration is at the heart of TAN. As large organizations, we recognize that we must be guided by the expertise and experience of the community if we are going to achieve our vision.
- TAN will proactively seek partnership with a broad range of stakeholders and impacted groups when designing, implementing, and evaluating working group initiatives and goals.
- Whenever possible, TAN will be informed by existing stakeholder engagement (e.g., the City strategic plan, the community engagement processes of our members, and our active partnerships with community organizations and coalitions), rather than duplicating or replicating stakeholder engagement processes.
Current Working Groups
Local Procurement Landscape
Purpose: Identify ways to increase contract and procurement spending with local businesses, with an emphasis on minority-and women-owned business.
Healthcare Careers Pathways:
Purpose: Address the chronic gap in healthcare workforce by building more coordinated and connected career pathways for local residents
Affordable Housing:
Purpose: Leverage collaboration to help anchor institutions meet the housing needs of their stakeholder populations, and support the development of affordable housing across Tacoma.
Interested in learning more?
For more information, or if you are interested in getting involved with the Network, please contact Danny at danny.fisher.bruns@gmail.com