The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $43,955 in grants from the Methow Valley Fund (MVF) to Methow Valley nonprofits. Managed by the foundation, The MVF was established in 2006 to meet the needs of the Methow Valley community and assist nonprofit and public organizations develop strong, sustainable programs.

Classrooms in Bloom provides hands-on education integrated through the school’s curriculum through a half acre garden on the high school and elementary school campus in Winthrop.

Donations from Methow Valley residents and beyond provide the ability to offer a significant annual grant program. The MVF offers grants up to $5,000 for programs that directly serve the needs of and enhance the Methow Valley. The fund is advised by a diverse group of volunteers that work and live in the valley and are passionate about the charitable work being done in their community. Awards are recommended by the advisory board and approved by the Community Foundation Board of Trustees.

This year’s awards and recipients are as follows:

Cascadia, Methow Music Association – $2,500 for carpet and window shades to improve music education and performance spaces

Classroom in Bloom – $2,250 for general operating support and curriculum development

Confluence Gallery and Art Center – $2,000 to extend ceramic tile flooring throughout entry and gallery shop

Family Planning of North Central Washington – $4,100 to support salary increase for staff

Little Start Montessori – $4,750 to expand the Need-Based Financial Aid Program from underserved populations

Merc Playhouse – $1,500 to support the production of a cowboy-themed version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Methow Arts Alliance – $4,750 to support various arts education programs in the Methow Valley school district

Methow Chamber Music Festival – $2,000 for compensation for musicians performing at the 19^th annual festival

Methow Recycles – $2,000 for education and outreach programming

Methow Valley Community School – $355 to support the creation of “Kid-Tested Methow Valley Trail Guide” by 1^st and 2^nd graders

Methow Valley Elementary School – $2,000 for science-based expedition to the North Cascades Institute for 4^th and 5^th graders

Methow Valley Elementary School – $1,500 for Annual Young Writer’s Conference

Methow Valley Sport Trails Association – $4,000 to update the “2005 Economic Analysis on the Value of Trails and Lands in the Methow Valley” report

Room One – $1,000 to develop, construct, and install new general and program-specific signage at the Room One building and other outreach locations across the community

Shafer Historical Museum – $2,500 for stipends for two part-time archivists working on the Historic Photograph Recovery Project which entails the recovery and digital archiving of hundreds of images of the early-day Methow Valley

The Cove – $3,000 to support the Friday Food Program with financial assistance for an additional 5 students and hiring of a Distribution and Volunteer Coordinator

TwispWorks – $1,000 to support high school students’ involvement in the construction of a kitchenette in the North Warehouse

Valley Teen Center – $2,750 for general operating support, staffing expansion, and program development