Camas-Washougal Community Chest Launches 2024 Fundraising Campaign

The Camas-Washougal Community Chest launched its annual fundraising drive October 1, 2023 with a goal of raising $120,000 for 2024 grants. In a continuing partnership with CWCC, the Camas – Washougal Rotary Foundation plans to provide additional grant funds. The combined monies are used to fund grants to local non-profit organizations that serve Camas and Washougal residents in need, at-risk youth programs, address natural resource conservation, foster education and strive to enhance diversity, equity and inclusivity in Camas and Washougal. Since 1946 the CWCC has been all about helping local charities thrive. 

The CWCC, CWRF and Camas Lions Club just wrapped up a successful 2023 campaign which saw them fund 30 grants for a total of $135,500. Programs and projects funded in 2023 included support of the local food bank run by Inter-Faith Treasure House, funding for family support programs run by Children’s Home Society of Washington, funding a portion of Family Promise’s Cares prevention program to help low income families avoid losing their home, funding habitat improvements in the Gibbons Creek watershed conducted by the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and funding for food and food service supplies for the local Meals on Wheels People program. 

Other grants provided funding for cancer treatment costs and living expenses not covered by insurance; funding for several local reading programs; funding registration fees, transportation costs, and food and housing costs for local low- income robotics team members; and for temporarily housing at-risk youth in a secure facility. A full list of the grants awarded in 2023 is attached. 

Major support for the 2023 fundraising campaign came from Georgia Pacific employees and the Georgia Pacific Foundation. 

Other major donors in 2023 included HP employees and the HP Corporation, Camas and Washougal School District employees, City of Camas and Washougal employees, Port of Camas-Washougal employees, Watercare Industrial Services, Columbia Rock Products (Sauer Holdings LLC) and Waste Connections. The following foundations provided major support: Windermere Foundation, the Tidland Christian Development Fund, and the Hinds Charitable Fund. 

To reach its $120,000 goal for the 2024 campaign, the CWCC needs donations from individuals and businesses in Camas and Washougal. More information and donation forms can be found on the CWCC’s website at: www.CamasWashougalCommunityChest.org 

The CWCC is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization for federal charitable tax deduction purposes. Says CWCC President Mindy Schmidt, “giving to the Community Chest is an easy and efficient way to help people in need in our hometown.” 

Local non-profit organizations planning to apply for a grant can download the 2024 application form from CWCC’s website after October 15, 2023. Applications for 2024 grants are due by no later than December 15, 2023. Applicants will be informed during March 2024 as to whether their project or program is funded and at what level. Grant payments are made quarterly beginning with initial payments in March 2024. 

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must provide services in Camas and/or Washougal, be a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and provide service in one or more of the following areas: education, youth activities, aid to people with special needs, natural resource conservation, health and welfare programs, crisis and emergency services and diversity, equity and inclusivity. 

2023 Grant Program Summary 

Total number of grants awarded – 30
Total value of grants awarded – $135,500
Estimated number of individual services funded by grants – more than 19,500