Woodworth Family Foundation’s roots started in 1921, when Harold S. Woodworth was authorized to manage the paving division at Albertson Cornell Brothers and Walsh, Inc. This event marks the beginning of a general contracting firm that prided itself as “problem solvers for four generations.”
Originally located at 1113 ½ A Street, the company bought property in 1929 on what is now the Thea Foss Waterway and built its main office and plant there in 1936. That same year the company became Woodworth & Cornell.
Harold became President in 1940, the name then changed to Woodworth & Company, which would remain until 2009.
The first to continue on the Woodworth Heritage, Harold’s son, J. Alden, then became President in 1952.
J Alden served as president until 1973, when third generation John Woodworth took over. In addition to running a successful general contracting company, John was very active in giving back to the community through serving and chairing numerous professional organizations as well as non-profits. Such organizations include YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap County, MultiCare, and United Way of Pierce County.
Fourth-Generation, Jeff Woodworth, became President in 1997. During his tenure, the company grew through increased focus on excavation and underground utilities.
Jeff would ultimately sell the contracting portion of the business to form real estate and investment company Woodworth Capital in 2009.
Wanting to increase and be more intentional about their giving, Jeff and John launched the Woodworth Family Foundation to support the community that supported their family business for so many years.
The inaugural grant was made to Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region back in 2006 for $750.
Over 20 years later, The Foundation continues to give to Pierce County organizations that focus on health, education, youth, and human services.
To date, the Foundation has granted over $10 Million to non-profit organizations in the Tacoma Pierce County community.