The Gorge Community Foundation made over $260K in grants and $83K in scholarships in 2020, representing grants to over 80 Gorge organizations and 20 area high school students. Since 2003, the Foundation has given over $2 million in local grants and $300K in scholarships.
Grantmaking includes those grants recommended by GCF donor advisors, grants to designated fund partners, and grants made through GCF’s Burchell Fund. In 2020, Burchell grants were dedicated to addressing food insecurity for children, families and seniors throughout the Gorge exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thirteen organizations reaching both sides of the Columbia River received grants.
Other representative grants included grants to First Book Hood River and Wasco County, Washington Gorge Action Programs, CultureSEED, WINGS, Hood River Valley Adult Center, and many others.
GCF’s scholarship programs include the Gorge Tech Alliance’s Corwin Hardham scholarship for students from Gorge high schools pursuing higher education in technology and related fields; the Gorham Babson scholarship for HRVHS students from the Upper Valley pursuing agricultural careers; the Jernstedt scholarship for HRVHS students
pursuing general studies; and the Theo Caldwell scholarship for Goldendale High School students. GCF also manages the Laura Douglas Schaefer Scholarship and provides funds to support higher education for Lyle Schools graduating seniors. In addition, we manage scholarship programs for the Hood River Leos.
GCF’s assets grew to over $7.5 million in 2020, fueled by generous support from our fundholders and investments managed by Ferguson Wellman in Portland, OR. This growth creates more grantmaking opportunities for our donors and fundholders.
National Scenic Area fund supports environmental programs and education
The Columbia River Gorge Commission is GCF’s newest fundholder. 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.”
About the Gorge Community Foundation
Founded in 1999, the Gorge Community Foundation’s assets total over $7.5 million and the Foundation manages nearly 50 designated funds and 30 donor advised funds. The Foundation made grants and scholarships totaling over $204,000 in 2019. The Foundation is managed by a 10-member Board of Directors led by board president Gil Sharp that includes representation from Gorge communities on both sides of the river. More information is available at www.gorgecf.org.