The Community Foundation of North Central Washington (CFNCW) has awarded $140,000 to 32 nonprofits across the Okanogan Valley through its Okanogan Valley Fund (OVF) Legacy Grant Program. Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients and thank you to all the organizations who applied and continue to do vital work throughout the region.

Established just last year, the Okanogan Valley Fund serves a vast area spanning more than 5,300 square miles. By land area, Okanogan County is the largest county in Washington State, making this locally guided funding effort especially impactful in reaching communities across this rural region.

Each spring, the Okanogan Valley Fund provides grants to organizations addressing a wide range of community needs, including food security, housing, education, and community enrichment. This year, the fund received 37 applications. Among the awardees is the Wauconda Community Hall Association, representing one of the most remote reaches of the county.

“We are excited to host two Okanogan Valley Fund celebrations this year, both on April 21^st. The first will be held from 12PM -1PM at the CFNCW office in Omak, and we’re thrilled to also offer a second celebration in the Guild Art Center and Gallery’s space at 1412 Main Street in Oroville,” says Jennifer Short, CFNCW’s Director of Community Grants. “The whole community is welcome to attend the celebration as we say thank you to all the nonprofits who do such important work to keep our area thriving.”

The Okanogan Valley Fund is part of CFNCW’s Legacy Fund model and represents a highly personal, community-driven grantmaking process. A key goal is ensuring that local voices guide funding decisions so dollars go where they are most needed and can make the greatest impact. This work is no small lift and is made possible by a dedicated group of local volunteers who serve on the Local Advisory Board (LAB).

“Serving on the Foundation’s Local Advisory Board gives me an opportunity to engage with a wide variety of nonprofit endeavors committed to the health and wellbeing of Okanogan County’s residents, wildlife, land, and natural resources,” says Thom Speidel, an Okanogan Valley LAB member.

Comprised entirely of Okanogan Valley community members, the LAB reviews applications, conducts site visits, and makes grant recommendations to the CFNCW Board of Trustees. While a CFNCW staff member and Trustee liaison provide support, the LAB serves as the primary driver of the grantmaking process.

Jennifer Short, Concetta Mazzetti, Janet Culp, Patricia Maher. Jennifer is the CFNCW Director of Community Grants and Concetta, Janet and Patricia are 2025 Okanogan Valley Fund LAB members.

Thank you to the Okanogan Valley Local Advisory Board: Peg Callaway, Lael Duncan, Cindy Gagne, Margaret Hartzell, Jesus Hernandez, Carey Hunter, Patricia Maher, Concetta Mazzetti, Leeanne Montoya, Pat Pruitt, Thom Speidel, and Rylan Weythman.

“Being part of the LAB is an incredible experience. It is a refreshing exercise in community connections, the simple, yet loud sound of people working hard to make this community a beautiful place to live,” says Concetta Mazzetti, another Okanogan Valley Local Advisory Board member. “Learning in detail what nonprofits are doing to create a safe, healthy and wholehearted community is an absolute honor.”

For more information about the Okanogan Valley Legacy Fund or Local Advisory Boards, visit www.cfncw.org/legacyfunds.

Okanogan Valley Fund Legacy Fund Grant Award Recipients

The Community Foundation wishes to recognize the Founder’s Circle donors who helped establish the fund to make these grants possible: Peter Mullen and Tambra Zimmerman, Karen Nichols and Alan Watson, and Jeremy and Karen Butler.