Manson Schools Receive $10,000

20 January 2012

For most, Friday the 13th is a superstitious day with potential bad luck lurking behind every corner. Not in Manson. Last week, on Friday the 13th, the Associated Student Body at Manson Secondary School announced $10,000 in grant awards to teachers and staff at both the Secondary and Elementary Schools.

Funded through the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, Jake and Gale Courtney of Manson established the Manson G3: Giving Great Grants fund in 2008 and have been offering annual grants to the Manson School District ever since. Through their generosity, the school can continue to provide enriching programs and purchase small equipment needs that often get cut during tough budget times.

But here’s what’s really special about these grants: the students determine who gets them. The Associated Student Body (ASB), comprised of 9 juniors and seniors, convene each year to review the proposals submitted by their own teachers and mentors. They share their opinions on what is most needed and what will provide the best benefit to their school and their fellow students’ experiences. This is a great opportunity for our future leaders to not only practice civil discourse, but engage in needs assessment activities and develop collective decision-making skills – even when their opinions differ.

Awards for secondary school teachers were announced at the school assembly, which focused on celebrating diversity and honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Afterward, the ASB group walked across the lawn to the Elementary school, surprising teachers in their classrooms with the great news. “This is what it’s all about – the kids!” said Ms. Soliday, who was awarded $100 to replace the old computer monitor in her 2nd grade classroom.

Other awards include funding that will support programs in art and music, workshops in business and leadership, field trips, and much more. Here is a list of teachers and staff that were awarded funds:

• Principal Don Vanderholm and Administrative Secretary Krisy Nelson received $1,500 for prizes at the academic awards assembly.
• Mr. Mathew Brown received two awards: $1,000 for the band trip to the Heritage Music Festival; $500 for the jazz band to participate in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
• Ms. Martin received two awards: $1,000 for library books; $100 for card cart supplies.
• Mr. Tim Bombaci received two grant awards: $750 for the Washington Student Leadership workshop for 8th graders; $500 to produce a field guide for the 6th grade trip to Holden Village.
• Ms. Andrea Whitney received $1,080 for her Music Mania program.
• Ms. Diana Soliday received $100 for a new computer monitor in the classroom.
• Ms. Heather Ireland received two awards: $1,500 for Family Math Night; $500 for Klondike! A Fifth Avenue production.
• Ms. RaeAnne England and Ms. Jennifer Wilkinson were awarded $750 for Biz Town for 5th graders.
• Ms. Tracy Pickeral received $500 for the Pacific Science Center – Science on Wheels program
• Ms. Wendy Shramm received $220 for art projects in the option program.

Manson ASB students from left to right: Stephanie Quiroz,
Marcus Vanderholm, Angel Garcia, Idalia Guillan, Bianca Sanchez,
Yaneli Perez, Alexis Castro, Ana Sanchez, Javis Escalera

“We can do this” at the Community Foundation

18 November 2011

by Kay Sparks, Guest Blogger

I first discovered the Community Foundation of NCW when my aunt left me a small inheritance. She had been the first in her family to graduate from high school and I wanted to start a scholarship in her name at her alma mater in Michigan. The staff at CFNCW helped me do that, honoring my desire to be involved in the screening process, which meant conference calls and coordinating time zones. They made it easy by having an application process I could ‘tweak’ in my own way, but didn’t have to create myself. It’s worked for 10 years and will continue forever—a real comfort for my family.

A few years later when a few of us from my faith community got interested in establishing an affordable housing land trust non-profit to ensure long-term housing affordability, I thought of the CFNCW as a resource for  how to do it and who else to involve. True to form, the staff helped us not only gather other like-minded folks, but also organizations and municipalities that were already involved and very well-educated about this.  Low and behold, we didn’t need to establish a non-profit – one had already existed that was interested in using the land trust model!  That not only helped us get a jump-start, it also provided them with our energy and interest as volunteers – a bonus for us both.

Since that time, I find myself going to CFNCW when I need help. Whether it’s attending a workshop about fundraising or ‘picking their brains’ to identify community resources—other interested folks, entities that have knowledge and expertise that we can tap into or potential funding sources. They have helped me move from an “I can do this” to a “We can do this” mentality. 

Kay is a board member at the Women’s Resource Center, avid quilter, and makes outstanding cookies! 

Gov Gregoire Observes Community Foundation Week

14 November 2011

During the week of November 12-18, 2011, the Community Foundation of North Central Washington (CFNCW) will join more than 700 community foundations across America for Community Foundation Week. For more than 20 years, the effort has raised awareness about the increasingly important role of these philanthropic organizations in fostering local collaboration and innovation to address persistent civic and economic challenges. This year Gov. Gregoire has recognized the work of community foundations in Washington State with an official proclamation.

This week CFNCW will be posting news and sharing stories about philanthropy via facebook, twitter, at www.cfncw.org/news, and the Silver Linings blog at www.wenatcheeworld.com.

 “Community foundations work with donors and nonprofits to impact lives, solve problems, and improve futures,” said Beth Stipe, executive director. “In a down economy, with limited resources and a growing need for services to help families in need, we are more determined than ever to bring our community partners together to find innovative and effective solutions to some of our most challenging community needs.”

Community foundations are independent, public entities that steward philanthropic resources from institutional and individual donors to local nonprofits that are the heart of strong, vibrant communities.

Recently CFNCW provided a unique professional development opportunity to nonprofits: The Advanced Fundraising Program. Modeled after the University of Washington certificate program, participants walked away with tools to engage their board, strategize their marketing, improve their communications, and build stronger relationships for better fundraising. The feedback was phenomenal and many – if not all – of the participating organizations are already implementing what they’ve learned and are seeing results.

In celebration of its 25^th “Silver” Anniversary, CFNCW is highlighting “Silver Linings” in our communities. To kick off the celebration, CFNCW gave away 25 $1,000 surprise grants to nonprofits across North Central Washington in September. Randomly picked out of a hat, the recipients are able to use the funds however they see fit. Some have already determined needs that provide immediate help; others are using the funds toward sustainability. Throughout the year, CFNCW will be hosting events and building public awareness about the foundation and its benefit to the communities it serves.

Early next year, CFNCW will be offering an Endowment Grant worth $50,000. This will provide one local nonprofit with an annual stream of funds they can count on to help improve services and sustainability.

These are just a few examples of many ways your Community Foundation is working to help sustain the nonprofits that are working to solve the challenges our communities face.

Community foundations represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy. Every state in the United States is home to at least one community foundation—large and small, urban and rural—that is advancing solutions to a wide range of social issues. The 2010 Columbus Survey found that despite the recession, giving by the nation’s 100 largest community foundations actually increased slightly in 2010 to $3.7 billion and exceeded prerecession levels seen in 2006 and 2007.

Launched in 1989 through a proclamation by former president George H.W. Bush, the first Community Foundation Week included a congressional briefing about the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address community problems.

Join Gov. Gregoire in observing this week in recognition of the community-driven work of all Community Foundations nationwide.

Relationships at the Heart of Giving

01 November 2011

by Jennifer Dolge, CFNCW Director of Donor Services and Communications

“Taking this class has been a life changing experience.” That was just one of many similar statements by participants of the Advanced Fundraising Program (AFP) which just concluded last week. I snapped photos as Susan Howlett, program instructor, distributed their completion certificates on the last day of class. She commented on each student’s growth and development in the course, and I kept hearing the word “transformation”. The room was thick with the energy of camaraderie, nonstop smiles and laughter.

With the help from a generous grant from Philanthropy Northwest, the Community Foundation of NCW offered this course through its Nonprofit Practices Institute (NPI) – a program that offers professional development for nonprofits. The program was spread out over 4 months with 2-day back to back sessions split between Twisp, Leavenworth, and Wenatchee and was modeled after University of Washington’s Fundraising Program, where Susan served as faculty for 20 years. Participants learned fundraising strategies based on research and best practices and how to optimize their communications and marketing efforts. They also learned about the power of relationships.

“This has been a transformative experience for me as well,” said Susan, reflecting over the changes of seasons since the program began – her long drives over the mountain passes through sunny days, raging rivers, falling leaves, then frosted windows. Some students admitted they began the class with trepidation, unsure of their own commitment or doubts about time management. Many had to take days without pay or vacation. And others had personal struggles they were dealing with at home and at work. But as they received their certificates, they spoke of renewed passion, excitement for progress, grateful for new knowledge that they can turn into greater giving. Around the room, they continued:

“I have a lot of hope and joy for our organization”
“I came in running on empty and I am going out on a full tank”
“This class solidified the fact that I am not an island”
“I am so excited to see the nonprofit community in NCW evolving together thanks to this class”
“We are all about relationships, we will work on making those connections at the heart of what we do”
“Since I started this class we have written three grants and received support from all three”
“You have taught me that there is abundance for every single one of us”

So many relationships had developed, so many friendships formed. There were plans being made for ongoing gatherings, talks about ways they could collaborate, and faces looking brightly into the future. Working together, they will empower each other and lift their nonprofits to new levels. I felt like there was nothing stopping this group – they were determined, together. As I stood on a chair to take their group photo and made them crowd in closer, I felt like I was taking a photo of a family. In fact: I was.