$42,000 in Grants Awarded to Methow Valley Nonprofits

13 April 2012

A fruit orchard for kids, summer camp at TwispWorks, live theatre in the park, a chamber music festival, a GPS unit, and a really smart dummy: what do they have in common? They’re all possible thanks to this year’s grant awards from The Methow Valley Fund.

The Methow Valley Fund recently awarded $42,800 to nonprofits across the Methow Valley. The Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, was established to create a permanent endowment and use resources to support local arts, education, environment, and health and human services. Grants from the fund are distributed annually, and are used for general programs, special projects, start-up funding, small equipment, and other needs the nonprofits are helping to meet in the community. Since 2006, the Methow Valley Fund has awarded over $289,000 in local grants.

This year’s grant recipients and their awards are as follows (click on the organization to see more about their initiative):

• Aero Methow Rescue Service $3,000 – “Resusci Anne SkillReporter”, an adult CPR training mannequin used to improve the effectiveness of CPR skills of the healthcare provider, EMT, and lay responders
• Cascadia, Methow Music Association $1,500 – salary support salary for an office manager position
• Classroom in Bloom $1,250 – Planting a 10-tree fruit orchard adjacent to the current garden
• Confluence Gallery and Art Center $1,500 – Summer art programs for children ages 7-12 on the TwispWorks campus
• Family Planning Association of Chelan-Douglas Counties $5,000 – Salary and supplies to allow FPCD to take over management and administration of the Okanogan Family Planning Clinic located at Room One.
• Little Star Montessori $1,000 – Phase 1 of a website redesign
• Merc Playhouse -$1,550 – Summer “live theatre in the park” presentation of The Music Man
• Methow Arts $4,000 – Classroom residencies with professional teaching artists in the Methow Valley School District
• Methow Conservancy $900 – A handheld GPS unit
• Methow Music Festival Association $1,500 – Administrative and marketing support for the 16^th Annual Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival, May-August 2012
• Methow Recycles $3,600 – Software, subscription fee, staff time, and training for donor and volunteer management system
• Methow Valley Community School $1,000 – Construction and initial inventory of Take-one/Return-One bag stands in local grocery stores
• Methow Valley Elementary School $2,500 – Science-based expeditions for 4^th and 5^th graders
• Methow Valley Interpretive Center $4,000 – Display lighting and two small, flat-screen, wall-mounted DVD players
• Methow Valley Nordic Team $1,000 – Coach’s Enrichment Program, focusing on safety
• Methow Valley School District $1,500 – Part-time college advisor for students at Liberty Bell, Methow Valley Independent Learning Center and Alternative High School
• Methow Valley School District $2,000 – Part-time counselor at the elementary school to provide direct services to students who suffer social and emotional trauma
• Methow Valley Sports Trails Association $2,000 – Trailhead Improvement Project at the Mazama Trailhead
• Room One $3,000 – Increase outreach with the public service announcements, community education, and constituency-building events
• TwispWorks $1,000 – Refurbish TwispWorks bunkhouse

For more information on the Methow Valley Fund, visit www.cfncw.org/grants. 

NPI Workshop: Planning to Plan

10 April 2012

Planning to Plan: Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

Presented by 501 Consultants

-Wayne Gretzky, Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach

 

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP 

Planning is a tool used to guide organizations through the maze of infinite possibilities and focus on what's important to survival and sustainability:  How you spend your time, how you spend your money, how you create value. Planning helps organizations do a better job.  This workshop will prepare you to strategically and systematically use planning to build commitment among your stakeholders, choose priorities, respond to your operating environment, and ultimately, improve your organization's focus. 

The workshop includes six sections:

1. Mission analysis
2. Organizational and stakeholder analysis
3. SWOT analysis
4. Identifying strategic issues
5. Life cycle positioning and impact on planning
6. Strategic cycle

Pre-assigned homework: Every attendee is asked to research and bring a hard copy of their organization's articles of incorporation, bylaws, mission and vision (if your group has them).

 

Staff and board members of nonprofit organizations are encouraged to attend. 

 

CASHMERE

Tuesday, April 24 | 9:30am - 3:45pm

The Conservatory Event Center (Apple Annie's)  

Click here for directions

TWISP  

Wednesday, April 25 | 9:30am - 3:45pm 

Twisp Senior Center in the dining room 

HOW TO REGISTER - IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS!

There is a $15 registration fee which includes lunch.  You will use our donation site to register. Under "Select a Campaign" choose "NPI Workshop: Planing to Plan". In the donation box, enter $15. In the description box, indicate which workshop you are attending (Cashmere or Twisp) and any other information we may need.

 

Please register by April 20th so we can make appropriate accommodations!

 

Sorry, registration is closed!

  

ABOUT THE PRESENTER 

Vicky ScharlauPresident/CEO, 501 Consultants, Inc.

Vicky has 30 years of experience developing and managing nonprofit organizations, projects and programs across the US and Mexico.  Her skills include non-profit association and project management, non-profit board training, facilitation, strategic planning, organization and project budgeting, grant writing and managing, marketing and communications.  Her range and depth of professional experience have earned Vicky a reputation as a leader, strategist, advisor, and communications specialist. She has a demonstrated ability to implement sound and effective management practices and deliver programs with a refined level of methodology and professionalism.  Vicky's work experience includes stints in the private and public sectors including with quasi-state agencies, state agencies, elected officials, and non-profits. She has a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Wisconsin in agricultural journalism and agricultural economics and masters of public administration from the University of Washington's Evan's School of Public Affairs.

 

Presented by:   

Scholarships Still Available - Deadline June 1st

30 March 2012

If you are a high school senior or a college student planning on college this fall, you could be eligible for scholarships that will help ease the financial burden of college tuition. The Community Foundation of NCW has some great scholarships still available with application deadlines of June 1, 2012.

The CVCH Nursing Scholarship in Memory of Holly Williams is open to Wenatchee Valley College students enrolled in nursing program with cumulative 3.0 GPA. Ideal candidates can demonstrate a strong commitment to the nursing profession and participation in community activities. Two students will receive a $1,000 scholarship award.

The Harry and Kathern Lovejoy Scholarship is for students who have completed enough credit hours to be considered a third-year/junior at Washington State University (WSU) and plans to attend WSU full-time. Candidates must be majoring in studies directly related to agriculture with potential to impact agricultural advancements as evidenced by professor recommendations. Candidates need to demonstrate commitment to their studies with a minimum 3.0 GPA and documented classroom performance along with any direct work experience. Preference is given to students from Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Ferry, and Grant counties. Depending on applicants, one or more students can receive up to $10,000 as determined by committee.

The Sybil Shearer Nursing Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors or college students that are residents of Lake Chelan or Manson school districts and have been accepted to or are enrolled in accredited nursing program in USA with minimum 3.0 GPA. Selection is based primarily on goals in the field of nursing as described in the application essay, and evidence of interest and commitment to nursing career through volunteerism or previous employment. Up to $5,000 is distributed to one or more students as determined by committee, depending on applicants.

To view eligibility requirements and download the application, visit www.cfncw.org/grants. For questions or more information, contact Program Manager Lila Edlund at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 509-663-7716.

CFNCW named Grand Marshal of Apple Blossom Grand Parade

27 March 2012

The Community Foundation of NCW has been named Grand Marshal of the 2012 Apple Blossom Grand Parade! And what's more: this will be the first time an organization has been given this honor. General Director Adele Hayes along with Apple Blossom royalty surprised CFNCW staff and board during a board meeting with the news. We are thrilled and excited to be a part of the festival and Apple Blossom history!