Thursday, October 1, 2026
LEAVENWORTH — The Community Foundation of North Central Washington awarded $85,200 to local nonprofit organizations through the Upper Valley Legacy Fund Grant Program in 2025, continuing a community-led approach to local philanthropy.
Launched in 2024, the Upper Valley Legacy Fund has distributed $134,568 in grants over its first two years, supporting nonprofits serving Leavenworth, Plain, Peshastin and Dryden. Community investment in the fund continues to grow, including a recent Benevolent Night at München Haus, where 25 percent of sales were donated to help build future grantmaking capacity.
The Legacy Fund model is based on the belief that local residents are best positioned to guide how charitable dollars are invested. That work is carried out through Local Advisory Boards, or LABs, made up of community members who work alongside Community Foundation board representatives to review grant applications and determine regional funding priorities.
Now in its second year, the Upper Valley program continues to strengthen as communities refine their approach to collaborative giving.
“Being part of the Local Advisory Board has connected me with so many wonderful people in our community,” said Lauren Peterson, an Upper Valley LAB member. “It has inspired me to give more personally and to help spread the word about our fund and the incredible work our local nonprofits are doing.”
The Upper Valley Legacy Fund was launched with support from the Community Foundation’s Founders Circle, a group of donors who contributed $5,000 or more to establish the fund. Ongoing support is accepted at any level through grantable or endowed options.
To recognize this year’s grant recipients, the Community Foundation and the Upper Valley Local Advisory Board hosted a grantee celebration Dec. 2 at the Leavenworth Festhalle. The event brought together nonprofit partners, advisory board members and Community Foundation representatives.
Peterson said the gathering highlighted the strength of community collaboration.
“One of the highlights of the year was seeing everyone come together!” she said.
The Community Foundation thanked donors, community members and Local Advisory Board participants for their support and congratulated the nonprofit organizations receiving 2025 grants for their service to the Upper Valley.
Grant recipients and award amounts include:
In addition to local grantmaking, the Community Foundation uses a Regional Pool to support nonprofit organizations whose services extend beyond a single community. When more than one-third of a nonprofit’s service population lives outside a local Legacy Fund boundary, the organization may be eligible for Regional Pool funding. This year, Cascade Community Markets, Tierra Learning Center, Upper Valley Connection, Upper Valley MEND and the Wenatchee River Institute received Regional Pool awards in recognition of their regional impact.
Local Advisory Board members include Joan Alway, Sally Bauer, Hanne Beener, Diane Blake, Pamela Brulotte, Gro Buer, Bob Bugert, Ted Knight, Lauren Peterson, Zach Shirk and Earl Tilly. Founders Circle supporters include the Estate of Albert H. Ratcliffe, Lauren and Ross Peterson, Pam and Oliver Brulotte, and two anonymous donors.
The Community Foundation of North Central Washington, established in 1986, works to grow, protect and connect charitable gifts supporting communities across Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties. The foundation manages $163 million in assets through more than 690 individual funds and has awarded more than $63 million in grants and scholarships.
For more information, call 509-663-7716 or visit www.cfncw.org.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here