At the Whatcom Community Foundation, we know that legacy is about more than what you leave behind—it’s about the values and commitments you carry forward into the future.
Whether you’re just beginning to think about your will or estate planning or are updating existing plans, the Community Foundation can be a valuable partner as you shape your philanthropic legacy. We work alongside individuals, families, and professional advisors to ensure that your charitable intentions are clear, honored, and impactful—now and for generations to come.
While the Community Foundation is involved in and leading a variety of initiatives, we continue to work across subject areas and with donors interested in arts and culture, the environment, early childhood, and more. We maintain relationships with local nonprofits (and if they’re new or new to us, we’ll get to know them). And if your legacy plans include organizations outside of Whatcom County or even outside of the U.S., we do that, too. For out-of-area organizations that require more than doing our due diligence and sending a check, we’ve got a network of partners.
Helping your clarify or craft giving goals and aligning them with community needs or your favorite causes (locally, nationally, or around the world).
Creating or updating a fund to receive future gifts through your estate.
Collaborating with your financial and legal advisors to simplify the process and document your wishes.
Offering flexible options for naming your fund in a will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy.
Providing stewardship and accountability so your legacy continues to make a difference over time.
When you include the Community Foundation in your estate plan, you join a community of forward-thinking donors whose generosity shapes the future of Whatcom County.
We’re here to help – confidentially, on your terms, at your pace, with the benefit of our expertise, knowledge, relationships and decades of experience
The Madrona Society is how we honor donors who have named the Community Foundation in their wills with a bequest.
We know that the madrona tree is deeply rooted in its place. Their roots add stability to the tree’s environment, as Madrona Society members do to our community. In addition, healthy saplings can sprout from the fallen tree’s trunk, providing a base for growth and nourishment for new life. Madrona trees are beloved in the Pacific Northwest. That’s the way we feel about our legacy givers as well.
To learn more about the Madrona Society please contact: Jenn Daly, Director of Engagement & Philanthropy by email at jenn@whatcomcf.org or by phone at 360-671-6463.
We have incredible gratitude for our Madrona Society Members:
Sita & C.L. Amba-Rao
Missy Belles
Larry Berghoff
Jack Bernstein*
Helen & Larry Birchall
Gary & Ann Blanken
Fredericka H. Bond*
Norah Brusven*
Tim & Connie Buckley
Dorothy Burke
Glenn & Janice Butler
Marti Caputi
Julie Carpenter
Randy Carr
Frank & Adrienne Champagne
Jill Clark
Peter Coggan
Mike Cohen & Pamela Jons
Joe & Judy Coons
Carrie Coppinger Carter
Sylvia & Frank Crosby*
Thomas W. Crowell*
Margaret & Marc Curtis
The Decker Family
Naida Deitsch*
George & Mary Ann* Drake
Molly Duba
Michael Durbin*
Katti & David Esp
Tim & Leslie Farris
Kelly Follis*
Kolleen Fox
Marilyn Glenn & Steve Tatham
Roy Georgeff*
Christine Gibbs & Duane Jager
Janet Gillis Hansen*
David Goddard*
Jean Gorton*
Brian & Marya Griffin
Julianna Royal Guy
Martin & Gail Haines
Terry & Myra Harmer
Robert L. & Virginia B. Hayden*
Jill Heckathorn & Glenn Merrill
Elsie Heinrick
Susan Horst & Gregory Dutton
Harris Gonsalves* & Dorothy Ellen
Kay Ingram
Mauri Ingram & Lee Eberhardt
Paul* & Barbara Ingram
Trish Infanger
Marlene Jensen
David & Peggy Kehe
William V.W. Keeney* & Esther V.
Alan G. Kemble*
Daniel Kirkman
Karl & Edwina Kleeman
Pete & Fidela Kremen
Dorothy Lang* & Francis Joseph
Virginia Maria Lofstrand*
Rick & Linda Luke
Mary E. Lyda*
Lisa Rigney Mascioli
Carol McBride
Joseph McClain*
Laurie McClain
Meg Metzger
George W. Miller*
Fred & Milissa Miller
Martin & Priscilla Mitchell
John Moore*
Shannon Moore
George M. Muldrow* & Robert G. Bragg*
Karen Neubauer & Bob Kandiko
Therese Ogle & John Draper
Owen Olsen
Janet Ott
Joyce & John Pedlow
Stephen A. Peters
Bill & Jan Polinkus
Eve Pryce*
Bill & Isie Radock
Thomas Rand & Siw Lea
Anne & Rob Rasmussen
Garland Richmond & Richard Stattelman
Renee Roberts & Rick Bullman
Chuck & Dee Robinson
The Rosenfels Family
Sibyl W. Sanford
Phyllis & Charlie Self
Genevieve Sharp*
Warren Sheay
Karen Sloss
Diane & Steven* Staves
John D. Stephens
Christopher & Heather Stockard
Karen & Steve Swan
Christine Thompson
Desiree Casson-Wald & Joe Wald
Scott Wallace & Marge Laidlaw
John Watts
Gail Weiss & Dennis Smith
Naomi Wilkins
Eugene H. & Angely L. Williams*
Tom & Marlene Wissler
Robert Witherspoon*
*Deceased
George Muldrow and Bob Bragg loved the Bellingham Library: its books, services and programs. They loved that libraries provided refuge and resources to people of all walks of life. They felt the library needed to be part of our community fabric forever.
Their gift: $3 million to establish the Robert Bragg & George Muldrow Endowment for the Bellingham Public Library.
Their legacy: This powerful endowment will benefit the Library year after year as it grows and responds to community needs and wishes.
