The Nonprofit Practices Institute (a partnership between the Community Foundation of NCW and the Icicle Fund) has funded Strategic Consulting Grants to 14 nonprofits across the region.
The Strategic Consulting Grant will provide one-on-one customized consulting in one of three areas: Planning and Engagement; Partnerships and Collaboration, or Organizational Culture and Structure.
Grant recipients will work with a consultant over the course of several months to identify goals and create working plans to strengthen organizations post-pandemic.
“The pandemic impacted nonprofit organizations in various ways across the region” said Claire Oatey, director of community grants for the Community Foundation. “We felt this type of direct, tailored consulting would provide an opportunity to learn from the past and propel their missions with not only lessons learned, but new perspectives for long term impact in the communities they serve.”
Roughly half the organizations will begin their consulting project this summer, while the other half will begin in the fall. The grant funds cover consultant fees and the nonprofits invest staff and board leadership time. The Strategic Consulting Grant Program is funded by donations to the Community Foundation’s Partners in Giving program and the Icicle Fund.
Icicle Fund Executive Director Christine J. Morgan added, “Our communities thrive when the region’s non-profit organizations are able to do their best work. I am encouraged by the willingness of these organizations to do the hard, internal work of strategic development. This will set the foundation for strong and targeted long term service delivery in essential areas such as emergency services, arts, conservation, heritage, and basic human services across the region. And we will all be better for it.”
NPI STRATEGIC CONSULTING GRANT AWARDS
Organization
Grant
Area of Work
Service Area
Aero Methow Rescue Service
Planning & Engagement
Emergency Medical Services
Methow Valley
Arts Alliance
Partnerships & Collaboration
Visual and Performing Arts
Chelan and Douglas counties
Chelan Valley Hope
Planning & Engagement
Crisis/Support Services Center
Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties
Columbia Basin Allied Arts
Planning & Engagement
Visual and Performing Arts
Grant County
Greater Leavenworth Museum
Planning & Engagement
Historical Museum
Leavenworth/Plain
Methow Valley Citizens Council
Planning & Engagement
Environmental Protection/Advocacy
Methow Valley, Okanogan County
Methow Valley Interpretive Center
Planning & Engagement
Cultural Education
Methow Valley, Okanogan County
Mountain Sprouts Children’s Community & Wenatchee River Institute
Partnerships & Collaboration
Early Childhood; Outdoor Youth Education
Chelan County
Sustainable Wenatchee
Planning & Engagement
Environmental Protection/Advocacy
Chelan County, East Wenatchee
TEAMS Learning Center
Organizational Culture & Structure
Early Childhood Education
Chelan County
Upper Valley MEND
Organizational Culture & Structure
Crisis/Support Services Center
Leavenworth/Plain
Waste Loop
Planning & Engagement
Environmental Protection/Advocacy
Leavenworth/Plain
Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center
Organizational Culture & Structure
Historical/Cultural Museum
Chelan and Douglas counties
For more information on the Nonprofit Practices Institute, visit www.cfncw.org/NPI.
The Hugs for Healthcare Heroes campaign has made its third and final “Hug in a Mug” distribution, resulting in 1,696 healthcare heroes at Confluence Health, Columbia Valley Community Health, Cascade Medical Center, and Lake Chelan Community Hospital that have been recognized for their hard work and sacrifices during the pandemic.
Each “Hug in a Mug” was filled with a gift card from a local business, thank you cards and notes of encouragement from the community, and other goods. Mugs were purchased with donations to the campaign or donated by local businesses and assembled by volunteers.
Claire Oatey, director of community grants at the Community Foundation of NCW, and Mandi Burton-Carter, hospitalist for Confluence Health, spearheaded the project with support from the Community Foundation of NCW, the Confluence Health Foundation, and several partners across the region.
“When we heard our healthcare workers were feeling exhausted and depleted, we were compelled to find a way to let them know their community was supporting them” said Oatey. “Purchasing gift cards from local businesses who were also struggling felt like a win-win for our communities.”
Since the campaign began in December, over $37,500 was collected in cash donations, gift cards, and in-kind donations to purchase mugs, gift cards, and other fun goods from over 90 local businesses.
The Community Foundation of NCW is pleased to announce that $561,189 has been raised to benefit 60 nonprofit organizations across the region through Give NCW.
Give NCW is an annual online fundraising campaign hosted by the Community Foundation that begins Thanksgiving Day through December 31st. Typically the campaign is reserved for nonprofits that have received a Regional Impact Grant from the foundation; however this year, the foundation retooled its grant-making programs to meet the needs of organizations struggling during the pandemic.
Nonprofits in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties who had received a grant from the foundation any time in the past were invited to participate (excluding the Methow Valley, as that area raises funds through Give Methow).
The foundation provided $90,000 in giving incentives to encourage community support, including a $50,000 match to “Give to All” donations that were spread equally among all participants, resulting in an added $1,700 per organization.
“This has been a tough year for our nonprofit partners who either faced an increase in providing basic needs and social services or shutting their doors when gatherings were impacted” said Beth Stipe, executive director. “We took a ‘ya’ll come’ approach with Give NCW this year in an effort to support as many nonprofits as possible. We feel this year’s campaign was a great success, providing much needed funding for our nonprofit community. We are so grateful and humbled by the generosity of our region!”
GIVE NCW 2020 RESULTS
Organization
Amount
Alatheia Riding Center
$9,774
CAFE: The Community for the Advancement of Family Education
$19,489
Camp Fire NCW
$9,965
Cancer Care of NCW
$9,864
Cascade Fisheries
$7,844
Cascade Medical Foundation
$3,179
Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village
$6,554
Chelan Douglas CASA
$30,534
Chelan Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services
$11,169
Chelan Valley Hope
$8,694
Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council
$6,634
Children’s Home Society of Washington
$22,364
Community Cultural Center of Tonasket
$2,859
Garden Terrace Senior Living
$3,709
Greater Leavenworth Museum
$3,584
Green Okanogan
$4,959
Habitat for Humanity – Greater Wenatchee
$5,094
Hand in Hand Immigration Services
$20,974
Heritage Heights
$4,284
Hope Care Clinic
$12,179
Icicle Creek Center for the Arts
$4,890
Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center
$10,105
IRIS
$2,854
Leavenworth Summer Theater
$4,254
Mobile Meals of Wenatchee
$12,654
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
$28,189
Numerica Performing Arts Center
$8,694
Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare
$2,304
Okanogan County Child Development Association
$3,059
Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group
$3,234
Okanogan County Search and Rescue Association
$2,234
Okanogan Land Trust
$2,599
Okanogan Regional Humane
$3,134
Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus
$2,754
Pateros Brewster Community Resource Center
$3,754
Plain Valley Ski Trails
$2,629
PowerHouse Ministries
$5,549
Pybus Market Charitable Foundation
$10,189
SAGE (Safety, Advocacy, Growth Empowerment)
$22,304
Serve Wenatchee Valley
$26,159
Small Miracles
$11,159
Stage Kids WA
$7,214
Sustainable Wenatchee
$5,444
TEAMS Learning Center
$5,304
The Brave Warrior Project
$4,619
Thrive Chelan Valley
$2,659
TREAD (Trails Recreation Education Advocacy and Development)
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $735,725 in grants to several nonprofit organizations through its retooled grant programs and community partnerships.
The foundation’s grant programming has been updated to focus on providing stability for nonprofits who have been impacted by Covid-19. The survival challenges nonprofits face parallel those of small businesses, with some struggling to meet increased demand and others completely shuttered.
“Our nonprofit sector provides vital services, cultural experiences, and environmental support across the region” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “This year has been hard on them in so many ways. We’re here to connect them to funding resources and do everything we can to keep them viable during this time.”
Chelan County CARES Nonprofit Assistance Awards – $500,000
This grant program is in partnership with Chelan County, who allocated $500,000 to the foundation to disburse as reimbursement grants to organizations in Chelan County who provide basic needs such as food security, housing, mental and physical health and childcare. All applicants who applied received funding.
This is a quarterly grant program by the Community Foundation providing general operating support. Applicants can apply for up to 10% of their current organizational budget with a maximum request of $20,000. This is the first of four grant cycles, with $100,000 available each quarter.
Alatheia Riding Center – $15,750
Cashmere Museum – $14,000
Chelan Valley Housing Trust – $15,750
Hand in Hand Immigration Services – $11,000
Thrive Chelan Valley – $12,000
Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center – $15,750
Wenatchee Valley YMCA – $15,750
Helping Hands 2.0 Grant – $65,560
In this revised version of the foundation’s Helping Hands grant, which provides emergent support, organizations can apply for any amount to help with critical safety-net needs such as food security, housing, mental and physical health and childcare. Awards are made monthly.
Chelan Douglas CASA – $5,000 child abuse educational outreach
Chelan Valley Hope – $25,000 capacity building to meet increases in demands for services
Hope Care Clinic – $9,360 dental assistant
Serve Wenatchee Valley – $5,500 Fresh HOPE Market, a public pantry for people facing food insecurity
Leavenworth Community United Methodist Church – $5,700 backpack food program for kids with food insecurity
Wenatchee Rescue Mission – $15,000 community meal program for people facing food insecurity
Woods Music and Arts Grant – $61,200
This grant, established by the Woods Family, supports music and arts education and programming across the region. This year, the grant focused on general operating support for arts organizations impacted by the pandemic.
49-degrees North Artists Association – $3,000
Beauty of Bronze – $5,000
Grunewald Guild – $5,000
Icicle Creek Center for the Arts – $5,000
Lake Chelan Bach Fest – $5,000
Leavenworth Summer Theater – $5,000
Music Theater of Wenatchee – $5,000
Numerica Performing Arts Center – $5,000
Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus – $5,000
Stage Kids WA – $5,000
Wenatchee Valley Symphony Association – $5,000
North Central Education Foundation – $6,500
Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center – $1,900
NCW Foundation for Youth – $8,965
Formerly a nonprofit organization, NCW Foundation for Youth is now a grant program managed by the foundation that provides up to $1,000 year-round to activities that directly benefit youth across the valley. Shop with a Cop is an exception in funding, as it is a program established by the founding organization and receives this annual designation in perpetuity.
Les Schwab – $1,000 Community Toy Drive
Wenatchee Police – $5,000 Shop with a Cop
Washington State University Extension 4H – $965 4H Virtual Eco-Stewardship
Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center – $1,000 Virtual Mobile Makers
Trinity Church – $1,000 Side-by-Side Camp for CVCH Families
The Community Foundation is committed to providing continual support of nonprofits across the region. Learn about these grant opportunities and more at www.cfncw.org/grants.
The Community Foundation of NCW has received a $1.7M bequest that will support Methow Valley nonprofits in perpetuity through the Methow Valley Fund.
The bequest came from Ken Westman, a long-time Methow Valley resident who cared deeply about providing charitable resources to benefit the Methow Valley and its citizens. Throughout his lifetime, Ken was an active participant with many local organizations that served to enhance the quality of life in the Methow Valley. In addition to financial support, Ken devoted much of his time to serving on committees, as a volunteer on boards and in leadership positions. His lifetime of service and legacy in this community is legendary.
The bequest secures an endowment that supports the Methow Valley Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation of NCW which provides a competitive grant program benefiting Methow Valley nonprofits. Currently, the fund awards over $60,000 in grants each year. This bequest will significantly increase the amount of funding available for grants to Methow nonprofits.
An endowment is one of the most significant ways to leave a legacy in your community. The original gift is invested by the foundation and grows over time. An annual distribution is made available each year to provide for grants to charitable organizations.
“This bequest will have a significant impact on the quality of life for the Methow Valley for generations” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “Ken was always so kind and generous. We knew he was planning to leave a gift to benefit the Valley he loved, but we were stunned at the magnitude. I can only imagine his delight and much loved laugh, knowing the surprise he pulled on all of us! We are honored to be able to continue Ken’s generosity and to support the Valley and the many causes that make it such a special place, forever!”
The Community Foundation of NCW’s Give Methow campaign has raised $522,204 for 36 Methow Valley nonprofits – over $200,000 more than last year.
Give Methow is an annual crowdfunding campaign hosted by the Community Foundation during the month of October to build awareness of nonprofit work that benefits the Methow Valley and provide an easy way for anyone to support their work.
“We are blown away by the incredible support of Give Methow this year” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “It’s been a challenging year for our region’s nonprofits, and the people who love the Methow Valley have stepped up to give these organizations some sustainability and hope.”
Any 501c3 public charity in the Methow Valley is eligible to participate in Give Methow to raise funds for a specific program or general operations. Each organization serves a unique and meaningful purpose for improving the quality of life for Methow Valley residents – from the arts to environment, health and housing, to education, recreation, and community services.
An anonymous donor seeded a $20,000 “Give to All” stretch pool to incentivize and bolster fundraising efforts. The Community Foundation added $10,000 and the public donated $33,866 totaling $63,866 that was disbursed among all nonprofits equally. However this year, several organizations decided to “gift” their portion back to the pool in the spirit of togetherness, providing additional funding to others.
“When we started planning for the campaign it was powerfully clear how much we are all in this together. We wanted to create an opportunity for a rising tide that would lift all boats.” said Betsy Cushman, Executive Director of Methow Recycles and a Board Trustee of the Community Foundation.
“All of the organizations decided to tell our stories together through weekly videos that we shared with our supporters. Our work and our community depend upon each other, and we wanted to share that message and recognize each of our parts in shaping the future of the Methow Valley” said Cushman.
We are so grateful to everyone who donated to the Back to Basics campaign to support struggling students and their families. Over $106,000 has been disbursed to ALL school districts across North Central Washington.
Earlier this spring when schools shut down, we heard stories about students having a hard time staying engaged in remote learning because they were having to care for their younger siblings or their parents lost jobs and were struggling to put food on the table. We knew we had to do something about it, and help provide some basic needs so they could focus on their education as much as possible.
The foundation’s Board of Trustees approved $55,000 to kick-start the campaign. Each district received a portion of these funds based on their district’s population and number of low-income students. Donations from the public were directed to the districts of their choice.
When we reached out to the family advocates and counselors about the campaign, they were so grateful for the added support. They see first-hand the challenges many students and their families face, especially during this year of with the pandemic and wildfire.
Those who work closely with students will identify and distribute the funds, which will be used for food, clothing, school supplies, health and personal hygiene needs, and sanitation items.
Thanks to you, they will be able to give them even greater support.
Brewster School District – $4,740
Bridgeport School District – $4,272
Cascade School District – $5,599
Cashmere School District – $3,911
Eastmont School District – $14,631
Entiat School District – $2,922
Lake Chelan School District – $5,094
Mansfield School District – $3,272
Manson School District – $3,709
Methow Valley School District – $3,103
Nespelem School District – $3,602
Okanogan School District – $4,172
Omak School District – $5,222
Orondo School District – $2,902
Oroville School District – $2,975
Palisades School District – $1,937
Pateros School District – $3,257
Stehekin School District – $2,047
Tonasket School District – $4,590
Waterville School District – $2,912
Wenatchee School District – $21,769
While the campaign is complete, donations can always be made to school districts or PTAs to support students who really need our help.
This year has been challenging in so many ways, but people like you who continue to help our neighbors in need across the region are truly changing lives in our communities!
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $734,852 in scholarships to 204 students across North Central Washington – the largest distribution of scholarships to date.
The Community Foundation manages over 110 scholarships established by individuals, families, and businesses who are passionate about helping students achieve their college and career goals. Each scholarship is unique, with varying criteria set by the donor.
“We have scholarship opportunities for all types of students” said Julie Mott, the foundation’s scholarship program specialist. “Some support students going into a specific field, some support students who have overcome obstacles, others support students who demonstrate exceptional character and community service. Most of our scholarships want to help students who have significant financial need.”
This year, the foundation received 3,277 applications that were reviewed by over 250 volunteers who serve on scholarships committees. “Our volunteers do an amazing service to the foundation and these students, as they read dozens or sometimes hundreds of applications and thoughtfully determine the award finalist” said Mott. “We are so grateful for their time and commitment to help our local students.”
Since 2003, over $6 million in scholarships from the foundation have been awarded, and annual award disbursements continue to grow each year. Contributing to this growth are new scholarship funds being established each year as well as the investment returns on the funds, which are endowed to enable disbursement of scholarship awards in perpetuity.
The Community Foundation of NCW announces its participation is the All in WA statewide fundraising campaign for Covid relief.
The campaign launched on Wednesday May 27th with six All in WA flags raised across the state, including one at Pybus Public Market representing all of North Central Washington that was raised by Jesus Hernandez, board trustee with the Community Foundation of NCW.
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos will match individual donations under $1 million to All in WA donations, up to $25 million. Donations through All in WA support selected Cause and Community Funds, including the Community Foundation of NCW. These donations will be directed to the Helping Hands Grant Fund, providing emergency relief to nonprofits across the NCW region. Over $92,000 has been awarded in Covid relief grants across NCW and will continue until funds are expended.
“This is a great opportunity for us to join our friends and partners across the state in a huge initiative to bring people together and leverage matching funds for our region” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “We are so grateful the effort includes Community Foundations so donations can go directly to our communities.”
To promote the effort and raise funds, All in WA is hosting a live-streaming benefit concert on Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00pm that includes Pearl Jam, Macklemore, Brandi Carlile, Ciara, Russell Wilson, The Black Tones, Dave Matthews, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Pete Carroll, Mary Lambert, Joel McHale, Ben Gibbard, and Allen Stone with the full lineup to be announced at a later date.
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $21,692 in its third round of Helping Hands Grants to nonprofits struggling with the effects of Covid-19.
The Helping Hands Grant provides emergent funding to nonprofits in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties and has expanded its criteria to those impacted by Covid. Awards are disbursed every other week until funds are expended.
Over $286,000 has been donated to the Helping Hands Grant since March 1st, including contributions by Microsoft, MJ Murdock Charitable Trust, the Seattle Foundation, Perteet, Inc., Cairdeas Winery, and Icicle Brewing Company.
“We are so grateful to the generous individuals and businesses that are contributing to these emergency funding efforts right now” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director.
“We’re continuing to talk with our nonprofit partners and leaders across the region about what recovery will look like as well, and having this funding is crucial to keeping many organizations afloat as we start to plan for that next phase.”
HELPING HANDS GRANTS – $21,692
Chelan Community Nurse Program – $3,000 Adapting services for social distancing and preparing for an increase of in-home services as shelter in place eases
Entiat Food Bank – $3,000 Food security improvements
Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center – $1,230 Commercial freezer to store food for Upper Valley MEND’s gleaning program, which provides fresh produce for food bank
Methow Arts Alliance – $3,000 resources for NCW art teachers and home delivery kits; recouping direct costs from cancelled events
Okanogan Behavioral Health Care – $3,000 Mental illness/substance abuse recovery program delivery adaptations during Covid and recouping direct costs from cancelled event
Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus – $2,462 Recoup direct costs from cancelled concert
Tonasket Food Bank – $3,000 Serving 58% more individuals/families needing food
Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center – $3,000 Recoup direct costs from cancelled events
For more information on how to apply, donate, and other resources, visit www.cfncw.org/covid19.
The Hugs for Healthcare Heroes campaign has made its third and final “Hug in a Mug” distribution, resulting in 1,696 healthcare heroes at Confluence Health, Columbia Valley Community Health, Cascade Medical Center, and Lake Chelan Community Hospital that have been recognized for their hard work and sacrifices during the pandemic.
The Community Foundation of NCW’s 
