Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
WALLA WALLA–The Dayton/Columbia County Washington Fund recently announced grants and scholarships to be distributed this year. The Blue Mountain Community Foundation administers the fund.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
Blue Mountain Heritage Society-$600 to support the Veteran’s Memorial Wall upkeep, $2,000 to support concrete and ground improvements;
Blue Mountain Humane Society-$500 to support its rural pet wellness clinics;
Blue Mountain Resource Conservation Development Council-$400 to support the 2024 SWIM the SNAKE event;
Columbia County-$5,000 to support the Touchet Valley golf course irrigation project;
Columbia County Community Network-$3,000 to support the Columbia County Fairgrounds entryway improvements;
Columbia County Rural Library District-$2,500 to support Wi-fi hotspot lending;
Dayton Chamber of Commerce-$4,000 to support the replacement of the community reader board;
Prescott Joint Park & Recreation District-$2,000 to support the water safety project;
Project Timothy Christian Aid Center- $5,000 to support general operations;
Skyline Adventures-$500 to support the Ski/Snowboard experience for disabled veterans;
The Club-$10,000 to support the 2024-2025 after school program ;
Touchet Valley Arts Council- $1,500 to support the Summer Cultural Enrichment Program;
Tri-State Steelheaders-$500 to support the Salmon in School Program;
Walla Walla Senior Center-$5,000 to support the senior nutrition program in Columbia County; and
YWCA-$1,000 to support the YWCA Fun Factory.
Additionally, $10,000 in scholarships were awarded to Elsie Mann, Grace Trump, Joshua Reser, Justina Abrahamson, Kameryn Tupling, Logan Berg, Madison Richardson, Parker Brown, & Wyntr McCauley.
The Foundation reports, however, a significant funding shortfall for the community. This year, the Fund received nearly $150,000 in grant requests, nearly three times the amount, greatly surpassing the $53,500 available for distribution.
To address this urgent need, a group of Columbia County citizens has formed the Raise the Blues Columbia County Leadership Team, dedicated to closing the gap between the needs and the funds available.
Team members are inviting the community to better support the organizations and initiatives that make a difference in Columbia County by adding to either the Dayton/Columbia County Washington Fund, or the Columbia County Forever Fund. To incentivize contributions, a 50% match for every gift or pledge of up to five years made by the end of 2024, and a $20,000 match for qualified bequests are being offered.
Katie Leid, Chair of the Dayton/Columbia County Washington Fund Committee, is hosting a reception at her residence at 1419 S. 5th Street on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. for people who wish to learn more. The Dayton team, along with staff from BMCF and Innovia, will share the latest information about ‘Raise the Blues.’ This event is open to the public. For more information, please contact [email protected].”
Established in 2004 by seventeen community leaders, the Dayton/Columbia County Washington Fund is dedicated to improving the economic and social wellbeing of Dayton and Columbia County residents through grants and scholarships
Kol Medina, CEO of Blue Mountain Community Foundation, and Aaron McMurray, Chief Strategy Officer of Innovia Foundation, are available to discuss potential contributions and bequests.
