Investing in the important work of our community and nonprofit partners helps everyone in Whatcom County flourish.
2023 FUND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY GRANT ROUND: YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
The Fund for Whatcom County is our lead grantmaking fund. Our team considers the biggest opportunities and needs in the community and offers local organizations working on solutions the opportunity to apply for project and/or operational support.
This year, the Community Foundation prioritized Child and Youth Mental Health in its Fund for Whatcom County grant round. The data is alarming. For example: In a class of 30 Whatcom County 10th graders, 21 are dealing with anxiety; 12 are dealing with depression; 6 have contemplated suicide, 5 have made a suicide plan; 2 have attempted suicide. (Healthy Youth Survey 2021).
In February 2023, the Community Foundation Board of Directors approved nearly $400,000 in support from both the Funds for Whatcom County and various Field of Interest Funds, in order to increase award availability.
2023 FUND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY GRANTEES
Blue Skies for Children
Brigid Collins House
Children of the Setting Sun Productions
City of Bellingham – Parks and Recreation Department
Compass Health
Ferndale School District
Lhaq’temish Foundation
Lydia Place
Make.Shift
Max Higbee Center
NAMI of Whatcom County
Nooksack Valley School District
Northwest Youth Services
Skookum Kids
South Fork Valley Community Association
The Community Boating Center
Vamos Outdoors Project
Whatcom Center for Early Learning
Whatcom Family YMCA
Whatcom Family & Community Network
Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition
2022 FUND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY GRANTEES
RECENT YOUTH PHILANTHROPY PROJECT GRANTEES
RESILIENCE FUND GRANTS
Disaster Response & Recovery
We’ve deployed more than $2.638 million to address the urgent impacts of the flooding events of November 2021. We are grateful to live in a place with strong community partners that stepped up and pivoted services to meet needs of our neighbors over the last year.
COVID/Pandemic Grant funding supported their exceptionally rapid and caring responses here in Whatcom County, including:
Food Security- Alleviating hunger, increasing local food supply and addressing access to healthy food
Food Banks/Pantries: Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Project Hope, Salvation Army, and Nooksack Valley
Common Threads Farm
Whatcom County Council on Aging
Housing – Stable, safe, supportive housing for people in crisis or facing financial hardship
Interfaith Coalition
Lydia Place
Mercy Housing Northwest
Northwest Youth Services
YWCA Bellingham
Real Change for Whatcom County
Mental and Physical Health – Affordable, accessible, safe, and comprehensive care during COVID-19 and beyond
Compass Health
Lifeline Connections
SeaMar Community Health Center
Unity Care Northwest
Alzheimer Society of Washington/Dementia Northwest
ARC of Whatcom County
Max Higbee Center
Pioneer Human Services
Hearing Speech and Deaf Center
Whatcom Family and Community Network
Essential Workers – Assisting farmworkers in meeting housing, safety, health, food and basic needs
Institute for Washington’s Future/Community to Community Development
Catholic Community Services
Washington Immigration Solidarity Network
Colectiva Legal Del Pueblo
Safety, Violence and Abuse Prevention – Preventing violence, addressing conflict, and providing resources, referrals and assistance during crisis
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
Law Advocates
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
Brigid Collins House
Office Moms and Dads
Economic, Employment and Education Supports – Addressing growing barriers and stresses of students, workers, businesses and job-seekers
Downtown Bellingham Partnership
Seattle Goodwill Industries
Whatcom Literacy Council
Northwest Alliance for College Access/Futures Northwest
Ferndale Community Service Cooperative
Learning Assistance Program through Lummi Youth Academy
Childcare – Safe, caring, supportive learning and engagement for our younger community members
Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center
Whatcom Center for Early Learning
Whatcom Family YMCA
Opportunity Council
Whatcom Coalition for Environmental Education in partnership with Blaine, Mt. Baker and Bellingham Public School Districts
“It was a privilege working with the Community Foundation on the Ferndale Library project. Not only did they bring financial resources and philanthropic expertise to the table—they also came with the creativity and collaborative spirit that are essential to the success of complex community projects like our library.”
—NORINE AMEND Chair, Friends of the Ferndale Library
