Greetings neighbors, “It’s our economy, not the economy.” A few years ago, I heard USC professor Manuel Pastor say these words, and something shifted for me. Communities have more agency than we give ourselves credit for. Thinking of Whatcom County’s economy as “ours,” reminds and invites the people who live here — “us” — to shape it...
Greetings neighbors, I’m here today to state the obvious: kids are only kids once — no do-overs. And too many of them are struggling to thrive. Being and doing our best as a community to help set children up for success means making their mental health a priority. That priority got a purposeful boost in 2022, with encouraging results. And now that progress is at risk, even...
Happy 2026 neighbors, Like many of you, we’ve hit the ground running this year. Once again: disastrous flooding. And once again: an incredible show of generosity, cooperation and neighborliness in the wake of it. Close to $1.4M raised and much of it put to work immediately on neighbors’ most urgent needs. So heartening! And so hard not to ask, what can we do today, this month, this year,...
Thanks to the generosity of this community and beyond, Whatcom Community Foundation’s Resilience Fund is actively supporting neighbors impacted by flooding across Whatcom County. To date, more than $490,000 has been raised for flood relief through the Whatcom Community Foundation. These funds are being coordinated closely with trusted local organizations and frontline providers who are responding in real time...
Last week the Whatcom Community Foundation activated the Resilience Fund to support neighbors affected by the ongoing flooding across our region. Thanks to the generosity of this community, that support is already making a difference. To date, our community has raised more than $215,000 for flood relief in Whatcom County. The Whatcom Community Foundation has already granted $188,000 to...
The Whatcom Community Foundation has activated the Resilience Fund to support neighbors affected by the ongoing flooding across our region. In moments like this, Whatcom County’s greatest strength has always been its people. During the 2021 floods, neighbors opened their homes, shared food, checked on elders, and stepped in long before outside assistance arrived. That same spirit of...
Hi neighbors, After a record return of Chinook salmon in Whatcom Creek last month, we find ourselves reflecting on a season full of both challenge and renewal. While the federal shutdown has tested systems and stretched communities, Whatcom Creek offered a quiet triumph; the work of salmon recovery seems to be paying off. It's a reminder that steady...
Are you ready to make a real difference in your community? The Youth Philanthropy Project invites high school students from across Whatcom County to step into the role of community changemaker. As part of this leadership program, you’ll learn how philanthropy works from the inside—exploring local issues, reviewing grant proposals, and deciding how to invest...
Hi neighbors, Although life is always uncertain, these days it is especially so. Which makes our spring THRIVE topic even more relevant, if not easier to discuss. While family violence is a serious and distressing topic most people would rather avoid, the best chance of vanquishing it begins with frank conversation and a commitment to individual...
