Whatcom Community Foundation

Programs: Grantmaking - one way the whatcom community foundation puts dollars to work is by making grants. Our two main grantmaking programs are:i. Donor-recommended grants: we steward a variety of donor advised funds. Grants are awarded from these funds based upon recommendations from the donors who set up the fund or their designated representatives. Grants can be made to local, national and international nonprofit entities. Ii. Competitive grants: we hold several funds for whatcom county that award grants on a competitive basis. Some of the grants have a specific focus area. Others are more broadly designed to meet our community's changing needs. We invite creativity and imagination in the preparation of grant requests that help create a community where everyone thrives. Our focus is on grants that cultivate neighborliness; support diversity, equity and inclusion; lift community voice; leverage resources; catalyze change; and, build capacity. We aspire to support relevant and timely activities that take a cooperative approach to community building.

whatcom farm to school (wf2s) enhances the connection that schools, kids and families have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers. Wf2s helps schools change their food purchasing and education practices so that every student gains access to healthy, local foods as well as education opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips. Farm to school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices and develop lifelong healthy eating habits while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities.

scholarship program - the foundation awards scholarships to graduates of local high schools to attend post-secondary education, to help remove the barriers that stand between deserving young people and the education they need to be successful, and demonstrating to students that their community is investing in their potential, their future, and their success.

various projects and programs, including: non-profit capacity building and equity summit, developing local food campus, youth philanthropy project