ENDOWMENT GRANT

The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded a $50,000 Endowment Grant to Upper Valley MEND (Meeting Each Need with Dignity), a nonprofit dedicated to meeting the housing, hunger, and healthcare needs in the Upper Wenatchee Valley.

The Endowment Grant is awarded to a well-established nonprofit organization that has strong leadership and are positioned to grow the endowment. The grant establishes an Endowment Fund at the foundation, providing long-term sustainability for a nonprofit by dispersing a portion of the fund annually while the principal is invested for growth. Through investment and additional donations to the fund, the annual payout increases, creating a dependable stream of income.

“Over the last 30 years, our community has built a wonderful organization to support basic needs and community connection in the Upper Valley” said UVMEND Executive Director, Kaylin Bettinger. “This endowment grant will ensure Upper Valley MEND services will be available for those in need long into the future.”

The foundation was faced with the tough task to narrow down the many impressive grant applications to 3 strong finalists, including Chelan-Douglas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the Women’s Resource Center. Each finalist had an opportunity to present to the Endowment Grant Committee over Zoom.

“Each of the finalists are truly extraordinary organizations doing critical work in our communities” said Claire Oatey, the foundation’s director of community grants. “This is always one of the hardest decisions for our Board to make, but UVMEND was chosen because of their strong board and staff leadership, their readiness to grow the endowment, and clear vision for how this opportunity will take the organization to the next level.”

NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

In response to the effects Covid-19 has had on our nonprofit partners, the Community Foundation has retooled its regular grant-making programs to better serve their needs. Grants are open to 501c3 nonprofit organizations in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties.

Helping Hands 2.0 Grant

• Supports 501(c)3 nonprofits and public agencies in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties providing critical safety-net needs for community members(including food security, housing support, physical and mental health, safety, and pre-K childcare) due to the socio-economic and health impacts of the pandemic in our region.
• There is no cap on funding requests.
• Awarded monthly.
• Applications received by the 1^st of the month will reviewed and awarded by the 31st until fund run out.

Nonprofit Reemergence Grant

• Temporary grant program to support 501(c)3 charitable organizations located in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties as they recover from the current public health crisis and adapt their operations for future viability.
• Organizations may request funding for up to 10% of their current organizational budget with a maximum grant request of $20,000.
• Awards will be made quarterly through July 2021.

Woods Family Music and Arts Fund

• Temporarily shifting its focus this year to support general operating grants for nonprofit arts organizations in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties (excluding the Methow Valley).
• Schools or fiscally sponsored programs are ineligible.
• Special consideration will be given to organizations that have creatively adapted their programs and services to foster the local music and arts culture during the public health crisis.
• Organizations may request funding for up to $5,000 in general operating support.
• Application deadline is September 30.