Building Affordable Housing with a Philanthropic Tool Belt

I don’t have to tell you that our region is facing a prolonged housing crunch. The stories of soaring rents, low vacancy rates, longtime residents priced out, community opposition to shelters and roving tent encampments are all alarming reminders. 

Recent homelessness counts in Clark County and Cowlitz County show that our circumstances aren’t improving either. The …

Community Engagement Improves Local Programs

Sometimes those who give money away—and this includes Community Foundations—assume that they are innately experienced at using dollars to remedy social issues. Over the years, I’ve learned that the only innate characteristic in grantmaking is privilege, and that there is an important distinction between the two.

We may have the privilege of doling out resources, but …

Record Year of Granting in SW Washington

This year, our discretionary grant programs set a record for funds distributed, but our granting in southwest Washington is more than simple dollars and cents. We are going beyond giving to ensure that we can create greater impact in the community.

Because of these behaviors, the first word that I’ve heard our grantees and supporters use when …

Interrupting Poverty through Effective Grantmaking

When people come together with shared purpose, the results are often beyond imagination. Give More 24! is a recent example of how collective efforts can work, but the Community Foundation has a long history of pooling gifts of all sizes to advance important causes. For example, the Community Giving Fund was established in 1986 to …