How turmoil led prominent Pierce County nonprofit to dissolution

Following various turmoil in recent years, including allegations of financial mismanagement, the Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF) dissolved. Among other challenges, PCAF settled a lawsuit where the Oasis Youth Center accused PCAF of misappropriating over $200,000. A new nonprofit, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, took over its responsibilities.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

NO. 1: ‘PEOPLE’S LIVES ARE IN DANGER.’ DELAYED PAYMENTS FROM STATE HURTING PIERCE HIV PROGRAMS

Two nonprofits that serve thousands of people say they haven’t been reimbursed from the Washington Department of Health for months. | Published July 27, 2023 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

NO. 2: EX-WORKERS SAY PIERCE COUNTY AIDS FOUNDATION FIRED THEM FOR SPEAKING OUT ABOUT PROBLEMS

Some were signatories to a letter sent to the Board of Directors in June pointing out concerns with management. | Published August 4, 2023 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

NO. 3: PIERCE COUNTY AIDS FOUNDATION CEO PLACED ON LEAVE IN LATEST UPHEAVAL AT NONPROFIT AGENCY

The decision comes after some employees say they were fired for bringing concerns to the board. | Published October 2, 2023 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

NO. 4: STATE DOH PULLS FUNDING FROM PIERCE COUNTY AIDS FOUNDATION. WHAT’S NEXT FOR PCAF?

Board president says the state is one of the agency’s largest sources of funding and that PCAF is trying to determine next steps. | Published October 6, 2023 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

NO. 5: STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO TAKE OVER PIERCE COUNTY AIDS CLIENTS AMID INTERNAL CRISIS

The move comes less than a week after PCAF put its CEO on administrative leave. | Published October 7, 2023 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

NO. 6: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? TACOMA LGBTQ CENTER SUES COUNTY AIDS AGENCY OVER MISSING $200K

It is the latest blow to Pierce County AIDS Foundation, which is reeling from loss of state funding and leadership turmoil. | Published October 11, 2023 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

NO. 7: AMID FINANCIAL ISSUES, PIERCE COUNTY AIDS AGENCY LAYS OFF CEO, STAFF. CEO ALLEGES RACISM

The Washington Department of Health has taken over clients of the 36-year-old nonprofit that served Pierce, Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties. | Published October 31, 2023 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Some of the historical items from the Pierce County AIDS Foundation that have been added to the collection at the Tacoma Historical Society in Tacoma, Washington, shown on Thursday, June 27, 2024. By Tony Overman

NO. 8: AFTER CHAOTIC DISSOLUTION OF PIERCE COUNTY AIDS ORGANIZATION, NEW NONPROFIT TAKES OVER

A flurry of scandals and controversies plagued the Pierce County AIDS Foundation in 2023. | Published June 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

The Oasis Youth Center is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 in Tacoma, Wash. Oasis Youth Center filed a lawsuit against the Pierce County AIDS Foundation Monday alleging PCAF misappropriated tens of thousands of dollars from the nonprofit, of which PCAF is the fiscal sponsor.

NO. 9: LGBTQ YOUTH CENTER ACCUSED PIERCE COUNTY AIDS GROUP OF STEALING $200K. LAWSUIT HAS SETTLED

“We are in solid fiscal health once again,” according to director of Tacoma’s Oasis Youth Center. | Published October 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.