Get to Know Us: Q&A with Thashawna McSon

Read on for more with Thashawna!

After an extensive search for a Manager of Grants and Institutional Engagement, we are so glad you recently joined our staff! Your track record is comprised of many different support and leadership roles across a variety of sectors. As a recent addition to the team, what stands out to you about how Seattle Parks Foundation operates within the community?
One thing I really admire is how Seattle Parks Foundation works to partner with local agencies and organizations to bridge gaps and affect change. We’re committed to equity in parks and public spaces and that means acknowledging the many historical (and present day) injustices within our region. Not only do we work collaboratively to gather and share public health data, but we remember to honor the people and stories that make up that data. I live at the intersection of many identities and have too often understood or witnessed inequities affecting not only myself, but my loved ones, and communities. In the past, I’ve had moments where I felt shame for lacking access to resources or overwhelmed by how deeply rooted those inequities are. What I see SPF doing is thoughtfully sharing that information, collaborating on solutions, acknowledging its own work and the work that still needs to be done.

SPF also offers tangible support to meet access needs for its partners, from providing food and parking stipends, to the wide range of administrative services. Prior to this role, I did not understand the fiscal sponsorship model. I appreciate and learn more about it every week. As someone that has been burned from wearing too many hats while working within other organizations, I can only imagine how supportive it would have been to have more hands on deck to fulfill some of the administrative workload – freeing up bandwidth to focus on the mission-driven work.

During your short time on the team, you have already connected us and our partners with so many great companies and organizations. What does establishing these relationships look like, and what tips do you have for businesses and organizations who are interested in collaborating with our partners?
We love partnering with local businesses and organizations and truly believe that community is strongest together. Often, businesses will have many pathways to supporting nonprofits – from donating goods or materials for events, to hosting giveback fundraisers.

Recently, I worked with Sarah Olivo, our Annual Giving Manager, to coordinate partnerships with local groups. We reached out to breweries around Seattle that might be interested in hosting a fundraiser in support of Seattle Parks Foundation and our Operations, the work we do behind the scenes to provide services to our 130+ community partners.

During GivingTuesday, the international day to give back, Great Notion Brewing in Georgetown hosted a park-themed trivia and fundraiser night where $1 from each beer sold was donated to SPF. Some of our staff attended and encouraged people to check out our website and partner projects, particularly groups doing work in Georgetown, like Georgetown Open Space Committee! This month on March 12, we have a giveback night with Stoup Brewing in Ballard as part of their Brewing Hope night where they spotlight a local nonprofit doing good work in our neighborhoods – another great opportunity for community groups to be amplified!

This year, we’ve partnered with Buffalo Exchange in Ballard on their Tokens for Bags program. Instead of a plastic bag, the program offers every customer who makes a purchase one “token” valued at five cents (the cost of a bag) to donate to one of several local charities. Since starting Tokens for Bags® in 1994, they’ve raised over $1,024,259 for thousands of nonprofit organizations and kept over 20.48 million plastic bags out of the environment!

Lastly, if an organization wants to volunteer with one of our community partners, there are several opportunities to get involved! From planting trees to restoring trails to beach cleanups, there are many opportunities to take care of our parks all year long. Volunteers can also submit their time back to their employer to be matched for actual dollars to that community group! This is a great way to make the most out of your volunteer time and encourage your employer to also support the causes you care about.

Whether you’re purchasing a pint and donating $1 back to community or attending a volunteer event and donating an hour of your time, every effort matters and contributes to our growing community of park lovers. If your organization is interested in learning more about volunteering or giveback opportunities, please contact us.

When discussing best practices and sharing information about grants, fundraisers, and other funding resources, we often focus on WHAT to do instead of what NOT to do. Based on your experiences, what are some major “no’s” folks should avoid when applying for grants and fundraising?
First, folks should not lie or present misleading information about their programs, budgets, or data when applying or managing grants! This can damage the reputation of their org, their relationship with funders, can lead to revoked funds and in some cases, additional fines.

Next, don’t apply for grants without researching the funder or reading through grant guidelines. It can be tempting to apply to numerous grants all at once, especially if groups are in a position where they’re already underfunded and under-resourced. You might see a really great grant opportunity and think, “we can create a program that matches this grant.” But a lot of time and energy can be wasted by letting the grant drive your program, pursuing funders that don’t align with your mission, or applying for opportunities that your group may not be able to deliver on. I think it’s important to fully assess the reporting and compliance requirements as well before applying to understand if your group has the capacity to deliver.

Lastly, don’t wait until the last minute to apply or underestimate how much time it will take to gather information and materials to apply. I had an experience recently where I applied for a grant and realized that the funder required two copies of the application – one to be submitted virtually and the other to be mailed in. The application deadline was scheduled around the holiday season which meant, mail would more than likely experience delays. I finished the proposal two days before it was due and panicked about the possibility of the application not arriving in time. While I was ultimately able to share a digital copy of the application, along with a note that the physical materials were inbound, the experience became more stressful than it needed to be. Read those guidelines early and often, and set aside more time when prepping applications to prevent last-minute issues, i.e. navigating grant portals, online systems experiencing technical issues, mail delays, etc.

We know that in your work, you spend a lot of time researching funding sources and the continuously changing state of philanthropy. If you had a magic wand and could change one or two things about the philanthropic landscape today, what would they be?
That’s a good question! My ultimate wish would be trust-based grantmaking, a recent practice some funders are applying to understand and meet the needs of community-based organizations. Trust-based philanthropy focuses on reducing the barriers that grantees must navigate when applying to or reporting on grants.

Prior to joining SPF, I worked on the funder side, within public agencies. Within my role, I built out more accessible contract processes that encouraged community organizations of all sizes and backgrounds to learn more about and apply for funding. I did this because I noticed that the same groups kept applying to (and winning) contracts, and I began analyzing who was missing and what prevented them from applying.

There were many great organizations with amazing programs that fit our eligibility criteria but, when I did outreach to them, they had not considered applying for funding because the application was too complex, they had no idea they were eligible to apply for funding, or they figured they didn’t have a chance so why apply? Many of these groups were women-owned, LGBTQ+, and/or BIPOC led – groups that traditionally experience more systemic inequities – and they provided key insight into contract processes. We were able to explore different application formats, from written to video/visual, host open house sessions, and build more equitable scoring rubrics that allowed for more groups to understand the process and pursue opportunities in a way that worked for them.

Complex grant applications can be confusing and overwhelm the very community that they’re meant to reach. Those communities have amazing programs and skills – removing systemic barriers and trying new practices gives them a chance to actualize them. There’s a great opportunity for funders to assess how accessible and person-friendly their systems and outreach are and to make changes to ensure that everyone, especially those within communities that have been marginalized, feels welcome to apply, participate, or reach out.

As previously mentioned, you have a history of supporting community and leading projects meant to support and connect those you serve. Here at SPF, you are continuing that work! Can you share some of your favorite moments since joining the organization and what you enjoy about your job?
Definitely! I worked in public health for the past 15+ years and am so grateful that my career has allowed me to connect with many people and do deep, meaningful work. Here at SPF, I appreciate the opportunity to dive into environmental issues and support the on-the-ground efforts to disrupt them.

There are many days where I pause while reading about one of our projects, like the Tree Equity Network, and say out loud, “wow, this is so cool.” Tree Equity Network provides supportive spaces where folks can learn more about tree canopy and connect to community groups working to increase it. While each member of the network is unique, their collective work powers the parks and public spaces that we love.

Hands down, one of my favorite moments was attending the Puma Playfield Grand Opening! It was incredible to celebrate with students, their families, and the many people that supported this project. I also now have an emergency to-go bag with important documents, flashlights, snacks, and bottled water, thanks to the Seattle Emergency Hub Network!

My goal is to continue resourcing our partner community and our organization with sustainable partnerships and funding to drive their work. I enjoy getting to know our partners, diving into data, researching and writing grants, and impacting local change.

Many parts of your career have really focused on health (community, personal, and mental) and have showcased the sincere need to prioritize wellness. In 2026, we are seeing why this is so important. Other than your sweet pup, Matzah, what practices, ideas, people, or things are bringing you joy and keeping you healthy these days?
Matzah, my 16-year-old poodle mix, is absolutely the love of my life. I also have two cats and together, they’re known as the chaotic cuties. They bring me a lot of joy and have helped me immensely, especially these last few years.

When it comes to my health, I try to approach it as a continuum and meet my current self where I’m at. Some weeks, healthy might look like sticking to the basics – take a nap, eat before I get too hungry, catch up on House Hunters International episodes – because that’s all I have capacity for. Other weeks, I might go to Dance Church, a free form dance class, or go for a hike.

Getting outside helps break through some of the mental clutter and helps connect me to the larger world around me. I love taking long walks at Ravenna Park here in Seattle and Hamlin Park in Shoreline. In a few weeks, my wife and I will be taking a road trip through the Southwest – we’re planning on visiting (at least) 3 national parks. I hiked in Zion and Bryce a few years ago and it blew my mind. Experiencing so many desertscapes was such a gift and I’m excited to head back to the region!

Going to therapy, taking and teaching gentle yoga classes, and catching up with friends at a local coffee shop brings me a lot of joy. Finally, I have entered the “everything I need, I can get from Costco” era of my life so, I enjoy wandering through the aisles, having as many samples as possible, and picking up a $5 rotisserie to deconstruct for ramen and stir fry. Matzah is also a big fan of sharing a rotisserie while watching House Hunters and loves getting outside, too!