The groundwork for the Foundation was laid in 1974 as Spokane was preparing to host the World’s Fair. A group of concerned citizens inspired by the change that was mobilized by the World’s Fair, united around the need for a foundation that could focus on continued community revitalization. That year, the Junior League of Spokane founded the Greater Spokane Community Foundation, a new entity that replaced the original Spokane Foundation, which had been established in 1915 with a single trust.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Foundation’s understanding of “community” grew, and began to reach beyond the Spokane area. Recognizing that people with common interests and concerns know best how to meet local needs, the Foundation’s service region expanded to include 10 counties in Eastern Washington, 10 counties in North Idaho and 6 tribal communities.