Something magical happens when community comes together with shared purpose, and the results are often bigger than any single individual might imagine.  Such is the case with the Foundation's first Impact Grant of $200,000, awarded to Innovative Servicecs NW - a family of five interconnected agencies providing vital assistance to disabled and disadvantaged children, adults, and families.

Numerous donors over multiple years contributed to the Community Giving Fund and seeded this sizable gift, each donor inspired by a heartfelt desire to give something precious to their community.  The result of this collective commitment is a brand new Community Room for Innovative Services NW.  A powerful testament to what happens when many individuals work together.

This fall, over 150 students will return to school with scholarships funded by Community Foundation donors.  They will be attending schools locally and across the country, pursuing degrees at colleges and at technical schools and representing donors’ alma maters or favorite area of study.    

One of the Community Foundation’s most established scholarship funds will benefit high achieving graduates of Longview and Kelso high schools.  Created in 1992 by the late Dr. Robert L. Pulliam, Jr. and his wife, Margaret, 74 students have received scholarship awards since the fund was established.

 “If not for this scholarship, school might not have been an option,” expressed Stephanie Borroz, recipient of a 2007 Pulliam Scholarship. She is currently studying physical therapy at Oregon State University.  Margaret Pulliam’s advice to Stephanie:  “Study hard and have fun!”

There are innumerable threads that weave together to build vibrant community; and no thread is more vital than the one that speaks directly to the heart and soul.

For almost three decades, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has thrilled audiences of every age – in the concert hall, the school auditorium, and on the grassy expanses of Esther Short Park.  Its dedicated musicians and world class music director come together to make magic happen – the creation of a magnificent, unified sound that stirs the soul, engages the mind, and delights the senses.

Gifts of many different sizes are directed to the Orchestra through the Community Foundation affirming the role that music plays in the hearts of so many in Southwest Washington and reminding us how sweet is the sound of a community enriched by this cultural treasure.