Update: Resilience Fund Activation & Whatcom Flood Recovery
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 trusted local partners, with additional grants in progress as needs continue to emerge.
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 neighborliness is showing up again — and it is being translated into real, immediate help.
There is encouraging news to share. Whatcom County’s recovery response is stronger and more connected than it has ever been. Nearly 700 individuals and families have registered for case management support with the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group in the last week — surpassing the number who sought support in the aftermath of the 2021 floods.
Local organizations, agencies, and volunteer networks are already working in close partnership, sharing information and resources to avoid duplication and reach people faster. Neighbors are checking on neighbors, volunteers are showing up where help is needed most, and early local giving has allowed aid to begin flowing while longer-term recovery systems take shape. This collective effort is helping families stabilize sooner and lays a stronger foundation for recovery ahead.
What Whatcom County Needs Most Right Now:
While response systems are stronger than they were in 2021, local funding remains the fastest and most flexible way to help. The greatest needs we are hearing include:
- Immediate financial assistance for households, small businesses, and farms facing displacement or loss
- Cleanup and recovery support as floodwaters recede
- Continued coordination to ensure aid reaches rural and historically underserved areas
- Resources to bridge the gap while insurance claims, FEMA, and other potential government relief are pending
Early, unrestricted dollars allow families to stabilize now — not weeks from now — and help community organizations respond with dignity and care.
Support Flood Recovery in Whatcom County:
Support Local Farms and Food Systems:
Flooding has caused significant damage to local farms, food producers, and agricultural infrastructure, threatening livelihoods and our regional food supply. In response, the Community Foundation has launched the Whatcom Food & Farm Fund, in partnership with the Community Food Co-op and its Farm Fund.
The Whatcom Food & Farm Fund is dedicated to supporting Whatcom County farmers and food producers as they recover from flood impacts — including crop loss, damaged equipment, soil restoration, and infrastructure repairs. By investing in local farms, we are helping ensure our food system remains resilient, sustainable, and rooted in community.
Helping Small Businesses Recover:
Local businesses are essential to the economic and social fabric of Whatcom County — and many have been hit hard by flooding, closures, and lost income. The Whatcom Small Business Recovery Fund provides targeted support to locally owned small businesses facing flood-related damage or disruption.
Grants from this fund help business owners address urgent needs such as:
- Repairing or replacing damaged equipment and inventory
- Covering temporary operating expenses during closures
- Stabilizing payroll and retaining employees
- Bridging gaps while insurance or disaster assistance is delayed
By supporting small businesses, we help preserve jobs, neighborhood services, and the places that anchor our communities.
Resources:
If you or someone you know needs recovery support, please contact the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group here: https://www.whatcomstrong.com/resourceportal
If you are able to volunteer your time and energy with local cleanup efforts, please complete the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group volunteer inquiry here: https://www.whatcomstrong.com/volunteer
We will share more information about how Small Businesses and Farmers can apply for support as it becomes available.
Please be patient — a tremendous amount of coordination is happening behind the scenes, much of it led by volunteers, to thoughtfully match needs with available help.
When neighbors extend a hand to neighbors, Whatcom becomes not just more resilient — but more connected, compassionate, and extraordinary.
Thank you for being part of what makes this place so special.
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