Uncategorized | Gorge Community Foundation

Congratulations, Grads!

Jun 17, 2021

The Gorge Community Foundation is delighted to announce the recipients of its 2021 scholarships. Thank you to all who applied, and congratulations to this group of outstanding students. We wish you every success in the years ahead.

Scholarship Awards:

Hood River Valley High School
• Laura Douglass Schaefer Memorial Music Scholarship:
Maxwell Spears
• Gorham Babson Family Scholarships: Giselle Carabantes,
Omar Escobedo, Ben Garofalo, Cristina Lopez
• Leos Scholarships: Monserrat Juarez Beltron, Gisell
Carabantes, Benjamin Garofalo, Erica Matthisen
• Jernstedt Scholarship: Monserrat Juarez Beltron
• Corwin Hardham Memorial Scholarship: Grace Guertin
Goldendale High School
• Theo Caldwell Memorial Scholarship: Emily Harris

Bartholomew Fund supports Columbia HS students seeking education in the trades

Mar 15, 2021

The new Bartholomew Family Scholarship Fund was created to provide scholarships for seniors at Columbia High School in White Salmon to pursue highly skilled vocational training after high school. Says donor advisor Basil Bartholomew, “These jobs are key to our future but there are too few scholarships available for students to pursue vocational education and training. Our family is pleased to offer this opportunity to Columbia High School students.” Vocational education is available at a wide variety of institutions in Washington and Oregon including Perry Trade School (Yakima), Portland Community College, Lane Co. CC, Mt. Hood CC, Clark College, OIT (Klamath Falls), and of course Columbia Gorge CC.

This is GCF’s first scholarship for Columbia High School students. Scholarships will be available for students starting with the class of 2022.

National Scenic Area fund supports environmental programs and education

Mar 15, 2021

The Columbia River Gorge Commission is one of GCF’s newest designated fundholders. The Commission’s mission is to establish policies and programs that protect and enhance the scenic, natural, recreational and cultural resources of the Columbia River Gorge, and to support economic vitality programs consistent with resource protections. Says Executive Director Krystyna U. Wolniakowski, “As our new National Scenic Area Fund at GCF grows with donations, it will support our work with Gorge partners to create a new climate change action program, engage historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, and monitor the health of the National Scenic Area to ensure protection of all Gorge resources for future generations.”

Literacy and Library Programs Enhance Life in Gorge Communities

Mar 15, 2021

As COVID-19 kept schoolchildren home and reduced their access to books and local libraries, a number of literacy programs throughout the Gorge have jumped in to help, supported in part by generous grants from Gorge Community Foundation donor advisors. Through collaborations with the Hood River County School District and FISH Food Bank, the Hood River County Library supported by the Library Foundation has been donating books and providing funds for teachers to purchase books for their students. First Book of Wasco and Hood River Counties has also purchased and distributed books for young readers.

The Hood River County Library has risen to the challenge of serving rural communities by committing to the purchase of a new bookmobile, with over 75% of the funds raised for the purchase of the bookmobile. In addition to bringing materials patrons have requested, it will offer free mobile technology services for those needing to use a computer. The bookmobile will be stocked with Spanish and English reading material for youth and adults, an onboard internet connection and computers and printers. It will offer free mobile technology services for those needing to use a computer, conduct a job search, print forms and documents, and conduct other business. The bookmobile will visit senior centers and central community locations throughout the county and the bookmobile librarians will be bilingual and ready to recommend a book to a young reader or senior. Hood River Library Foundation president Jen Bayer says, “The bookmobile will enable us to reach all of our communities and ensure that everyone has access to the library.”

If any of our donor advisors wish to support the bookmobile campaign, please let Jill Burnette know by the March board meeting on 3/29. Grants of $2,500 or more will be recognized on the side of the bookmobile as sponsors.

Annual Fundholder Meeting

Jan 27, 2021

The Gorge Community Foundation held its annual “state of the foundation” meeting via Zoom on Thursday, Nov. 8 with over 30 donor advisors and representatives of designated fundholder organizations in attendance. Participants received an update on the Foundation’s funds and investment strategy from Ferguson Wellman fund manager Jim Coats as well as news from board chair Gil Sharp and executive director Jill Burnette on GCF activities and grantmaking. Coats’s presentation described Ferguson Wellman’s approach to developing a strategic investment policy during the pandemic, managing risk in a changing environment, and best practices for socially responsible investing. Thanks to all who participated as we navigated a new online format for convening and sharing information.

Burchell grants target food insecurity in Gorge communities

Jun 3, 2020

The Gorge Community Foundation Board of Directors has announced the following nine grant recipients from the Joan Burchell Fund. This year’s grants are dedicated to addressing food insecurity throughout the counties that comprise the Gorge, exacerbated by the necessary response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizations selected to receive grants will use the funds to increase access to safe, healthy food for children, families and seniors affected by coronavirus measures.

The Dalles Farmers Market: To implement a revamped SNAP program for families to shop for produce and healthy food at the market.

Hood River Farmers Market: To supplement a matching incentive program.

FISH Food Bank: To supplement additional food purchases owing to increased need.

Oregon Food Bank: For food acquisition, storage & distribution specifically for the Columbia Gorge Food Banks.

White Salmon Valley Education Foundation: To provide food to families in the White Salmon area.

The Food Bridge Project: To purchase greenhouse supplies for two farms providing produce for families in need.

Back Packs 4 Kids: To provide meals in Klickikat County to children when not in school.

Stevenson-Carson Educational Foundation: To supplement meals to school age children.

Washington Gorge Action Programs: For of area food banks throughout Klickitat County.

Burchell grant recipients are located in Wasco, Skamania, Klickitat and Hood River Counties and represent a diverse group of applicants. As always, those applications not funded through the Burchell program will be made available to our Donor Advisors.