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 Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $15,927 in its second 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 $245,000 has been donated to the Helping Hands Grant since March 1st. These donations are imperative for the foundation to continue awarding funds.
“We cannot thank these donors enough for their generosity during this time” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “We were able to seed this fund with $45,000, which has already been awarded in this first month. We know this will be a marathon, so these contributions are crucial to continue supporting our nonprofit partners and the important work they do across our region as more needs arise.”
HELPING HANDS GRANTS – $15,927
Methow at Home – $2,028 Free memberships for 6 aging in place residents during Covid, such as food delivery and phone buddy system
Methow Housing Trust – $1,500 Support for providing Covid-related housing resources to individuals in need
Numerica PAC – $3,000 Recoup direct costs from cancelled event and production of digital campaign for 2021 season
Office Moms and Dads – $1,804 Basic needs, therapeutic toys, and increased recruitment for volunteers who provide companionship to children during office visits that are transitioning to foster care
Okanogan Land Trust – $1,035 Updated equipment for safe remote work
Okanogan Regional Humane Society – $2,560 Recoup direct costs from cancelled event
PowerHouse Ministries – $1,000 Sanitation and supplies for day shelter for homeless individuals
The Cove – $3,000 Support for increased individuals and families needing food and financial help
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $89,750 to 24 nonprofits across the region who have been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The funds come from the Helping Hands Grant, the Board of Trustees Fund, and donations from the public.
“When we started to see the effect the pandemic was having on our nonprofit community, we knew we had to use our resources to help” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “We expanded the criteria for our Helping Hands grant – which typically funds emergent needs – to include issues our nonprofit partners are facing with Covid-19”.
The foundation also utilized its Board of Trustee fund, where board members donate to this “rainy day” type fund. The Board approved using $55,000 toward supporting nonprofits that provide vital services such as access to food and rental assistance. Agencies receiving a distribution from this fund include: Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council, Okanogan County Community Action Council, Room One (Methow Valley), Serve Wenatchee, Salvation Army (Wenatchee), Children’s Home Society of Wenatchee, Safety, Advocacy, Growth, and Empowerment (SAGE), and Chelan Valley Hope.
“We are looking at all of our resources right now and where they can help the most” said Stipe. “We are being thoughtful about what we can do right now, but also be poised to support the region in the long run. We know from our past experiences from the recession and from wildfire disaster recoveries, the needs of our communities will likely increase.”
Over $100,000 has been donated by Community Foundation donors and the public. “We’re so grateful for those in our community who are able to give what they can and help those in need right now” said Stipe.
HELPING HANDS GRANTS – $34,750
Garden Terrace Senior Living – $1,600 Individual meal service during dining room closure
Icicle Creek Center for the Arts – $3,000 Recoup direct costs from cancelled event
Life Choices – $300 Recoup direct costs from cancelled event
Methow Valley Citizens Council – $800 Recoup direct costs from cancelled event
Mobile Meals of Wenatchee – $1,700 Increased meal delivery service for home-bound citizens
North Valley Hospital District – $3,000 Supplies to 3D-print 200 N95 masks with reusable inserts
Okanogan County Community Coalition – $3,000 Fabricating PPE including masks and gowns for local healthcare workers and emergency responders
Omak Food Bank – $3,000 Increased food bank demands
The Community for the Advancement of Family Education (CAFÉ) – $3,000 Outreach to Spanish-speaking community on Covid-19 and available resources
Thrive Chelan Valley – $3,000 Weekend food support for Chelan/Manson students
TwispWorks Foundation – $3,000 Connecting small local businesses impacted to resources
Wellness Place – $3,000 Gas cards for patients needing to travel to appointments and increased costs for shipping nutritional food
Wenatchee River Institute – $750 Recoup direct costs from cancelled event
Wenatchee Valley Dispute Resolution Center – $1,000 Technology and equipment to support the move to Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) mediation services
Wenatchee Valley Humane Society – $3,000 Pet Food Pantry that provides for low-income pet owners
Wenatchee Valley Symphony Association – $1,600 Recoup direct costs from cancelled event
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $533,621 to 25 nonprofits across the region, with $278,621 of that coming from public donations through Give NCW – a record number since the effort began in 2015. The remaining amount comes from grants awarded by the foundation.
Give NCW is an online giving catalog comprised of 25 nonprofits who have received a Regional Impact Grant from the Community Foundation for a portion of their request, but need additional funds to meet their full goal. Minimum donation to Give NCW is just $10 and 100% of the donations go directly to the nonprofits – the foundation even takes care of the credit card fees – and all donations are tax-deductible.
“We started Give NCW to showcase the work of our region’s nonprofits and give people an opportunity to support them easily, and at any level” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “It’s a great way to learn about what’s going on in your community, and be part of making it happen.”
Give NCW begins each year on Thanksgiving Day through December 31st. The Regional Impact Grant opens on June 1, 2020.
Organization Name
RIG Award
Give NCW
Total
Art On the Avenues – Beauty of Bronze
$10,000.00
$6,420.06
$16,420.06
Cashmere Food Bank – General Support
$9,000.00
$9,692.20
$18,692.20
CDC Volunteer Attorney Services – General Support
$10,000.00
$5,860.06
$15,860.06
Children’s Home Society – Readiness to Learn Program
$14,000.00
$16,667.20
$30,667.20
Conservation Northwest – Wildlife Crossing on Highway 97
$11,000.00
$7,812.20
$18,812.20
Green Okanogan – General Support
$7,000.00
$3,767.20
$10,767.20
Lake Chelan Health and Wellness Foundation – General Support
$7,000.00
$1,830.05
$8,830.05
Lake Wenatchee Fire & Rescue Volunteer Firefighters Association – AEDs
$10,000.00
$6,215.06
$16,215.06
Lighthouse Clinic – Dental Clinic
$10,000.00
$12,730.06
$22,730.06
Manson Park & Recreation District – Singleton Park Support
$7,000.00
$1,465.05
$8,465.05
Methow Arts Alliance – Art Education in Okanogan County
$10,000.00
$1,830.05
$11,830.05
Mobile Meals of Wenatchee – General Support
$9,000.00
$11,897.20
$20,897.20
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project – General Support
$13,000.00
$30,982.20
$43,982.20
Packing Friendship – General Support
$6,500.00
$8,417.20
$14,917.20
Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho – Free Cerivcal Cancer Screenings
$14,000.00
$37,802.20
$51,802.20
SAGE: Domestic & Sexual Violence Crisis Center – Housing Assistance Program
$10,000.00
$18,767.20
$28,767.20
Stage Kids WA – General Support
$10,000.00
$8,165.06
$18,165.06
TEAMS Learning Center – General Support
$7,000.00
$7,767.20
$14,767.20
The Brave Warrior Project – General Support
$7,500.00
$6,279.20
$13,779.20
The Trust for Public Land – Kiwanis Methow Park Project
$13,000.00
$7,717.20
$20,717.20
Thrive Chelan Valley – Trauma Training for Mentors
$12,000.00
$3,185.05
$15,185.05
Wenatchee River Institute – General Support
$11,000.00
$10,760.06
$21,760.06
Wenatchee Valley Humane Society – Spay and Neuter Fund
$14,000.00
$10,320.06
$24,320.06
Wenatchee Valley TREAD – Mapping App
$9,000.00
$5,255.06
$14,255.06
Women’s Resource Center of NCW – Bruce Transitional Housing
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $268,000 through its Regional Impact Grant to 27 nonprofits across North Central Washington.
The Regional Impact Grant is an annual, competitive grant open to nonprofit organizations serving Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties to support specific projects or general operations. There is no cap to the funding request; however, the average award is around $10,000.
Each applicant is visited by a team of Community Foundation staff and Board Trustees to learn more about their organization and grant request. Over 60 applications were submitted, making this year’s grant very competitive.
Twenty-five of the awarded organizations were selected to participate in Give NCW, an online giving campaign starting Thanksgiving Day through December 31st. Each of the recipients received a portion of their grant request, and Give NCW is an opportunity for the community to donate and help them reach their full request goal.
“Give NCW is a great way for anyone to participate in community philanthropy” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “It’s just a $10 minimum donation, and there are several types of organizations that anyone can connect with and support. It’s an easy way for us all to come together to lift our communities.”
REGIONAL IMPACT AWARD RECIPIENTS & GIVE NCW PARTICIPANTS
ORGANIZATION
PROJECT
AWARD
Art On the Avenues
Beauty of Bronze
$10,000
Cashmere Food Bank
Feeding Our Community
$9,000
Chelan Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services
“Justice for All” through Community Outreach
$10,000
Children’s Home Society of Washington
Giving Students a Better Chance
$14,000
Conservation Northwest
Okanogan Wildlife Crossing Campaign: Saving Lives on Highway 97
$11,000
Green Okanogan
Keep Recycling GOing Strong
$7,000
Lake Chelan Health and Wellness Foundation
Help us Make a Healthier Chelan Valley!
$7,000
Lake Wenatchee Fire & Rescue Volunteer Firefighters Association
Help Save a Life with Public Access AEDs
$10,000
Lighthouse Clinic
“An Ounce of Prevention” Toothbrush Project
$10,000
Manson Park & Recreation District
Help keep the “PLAY” in Singleton Park’s playground!
$7,000
Methow Arts Alliance
FREE Arts Education Programs for Students in 5 School Districts
The Community Foundation of NCW’s 5th annual Give Methow campaign has raised $304,733 for 36 Methow Valley nonprofits – nearly $30,000 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.
“Our goal for Give Methow is to get more people involved in philanthropy” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “We want to build awareness of local nonprofits and give people an easy, rewarding way to support their work – at any level.”
Any 501c3 public charity in the Methow Valley is eligible to participate in Give Methow to raise up to $10,000 for a specific program or general operations. Each organization fosters a unique and meaningful area that improves 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 stretch pool to incentivize and bolster fundraising efforts. With over $9,000 in additional gifts to the pool, the total was disbursed among all nonprofits based on the amount they raised, providing many with an extra $1,000.
Another incentive, Funday Monday, resulting in the largest giving days throughout the month. Each time someone gave on a Monday, their name was entered to win $500 or more to give back on Give Methow any way they choose. The largest Funday Monday accepted 425 gifts totaling over $33,000.
What’s more – this year’s Give Methow campaign also produced a spectacular milestone: over $1 Million has been raised since Give Methow began in 2015. The foundation continues to be inspired by the generosity of the people who care about building a healthy, vibrant Methow Valley for all.
Scholarship award disbursements have grown an average 35% per year. The 2019 total award amount is the largest the foundation has disbursed to date.
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded 307 scholarships to 200 students across North Central Washington, totaling $666,040 – a record disbursement for the foundation.
The Community Foundation manages over 100 scholarships established by individuals, families, and businesses who feel passionate about making higher education more accessible for local students. Each scholarship is unique, as the criteria is set by the donor.
“These scholarships support such a diverse range of students” said Julie Mott, scholarship program specialist. “Some focus on area of study while others seek to help the students who have overcome obstacles. There are opportunities for nearly every student.”
Most scholarships aim to support students with the greatest financial need and help ease the financial burden many students face as they work toward their dreams of higher education. One scholarship awardee attending Wenatchee Valley College this year wrote “I’m the first in my family to go to college and because of my parent’s financial status, I will have to pay for it all on my own. This scholarship will help lower the debt I will come out with after college”.
This year, over 3,000 applications were received and reviewed by Scholarships Committees that are comprised of over 250 volunteers across the region. The committees recommend finalists for the awards, which are reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees.
“We could not do this work without the commitment and dedication of our volunteers” said Mott. “They have the difficult task of selecting the right candidate for each award, in the spirit of what the donor intended. We cannot thank them enough for their efforts.”
Since 2003, over $5 million in scholarships from the foundation have been awarded, and annual award disbursements continue to grow each year (see graph). Contributing to this growth are new scholarship funds being established each year as well as the investment returns.
“With all endowed funds including scholarships, the foundation pools and invests them for long term growth” said Beth Stipe, executive director. “This means the foundation is able to continue disbursing these scholarships forever – and the awards grow over time. It’s a lasting investment in the youth of our region.”
If you are age 70½ or older, IRS rules require you to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) each year from your tax-deferred retirement accounts. This additional taxable income may push you into a higher tax bracket and may also reduce your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions. To eliminate or reduce the impact of RMD income, charitably inclined investors may want to consider making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).
A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from an IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity, as described in the QCD provision in the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts distributed as a QCD can be counted toward satisfying your RMD for the year, up to $100,000, and can also be excluded from your taxable income. This is not the case with a regular withdrawal from an IRA, even if you use the money to make a charitable contribution later.
If you take the RMD as income, instead of as a QCD, your RMD will count as taxable income. Having higher taxable income can directly impact your eligibility for certain deductions and credits. For example, your taxable income helps determine the amount of your Social Security benefits that are subject to taxes. Keeping your taxable income level lower may also help reduce your potential exposure to higher ordinary and capital gains income tax brackets, net investment income tax and Medicare surtax.
In my semi-annual tax and financial planning meetings with clients, I frequently hear that a priority is to decrease their annual tax burden. The reality is that their fixed sources of income from Social Security, pensions, investments and IRA distributions require them to recognize more income than they need to cover retirement living expenses. It’s great to be in this position, but tax inefficient and you lose control over where and how your assets are being used. READ MORE…
The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $533,621 to 25 nonprofits across the region, with $278,621 of that coming from public donations through Give NCW – a record number since the effort began in 2015. The remaining amount comes from grants awarded by the foundation.
