As the year winds down, Clark County nonprofits are making a final effort to raise money for their missions and encourage charitable contributions from the community.
While nonprofits and charitable organizations fundraise throughout the year, the holiday season often inspires generosity. Clark County nonprofits joined thousands of organizations worldwide with campaigns for GivingTuesday on Dec. 3. Donors rallied behind various causes dedicated to improving the community.
Furry Friends
Through GivingTuesday, Furry Friends raised $160,000 of the $200,000 it still needs to build a new medical facility for spay and neuter services for cats. The total cost of the project is estimated at about $500,000.
The nonprofit rescue committed to rescuing, rehoming and adopting out stray, relinquished and abused cats plans to expand its current central Vancouver property to include the facility.
Executive Director Jenn Hutchman said she hopes the clinic will be completed by fall 2025.
“We are so appreciative of our local community and all the support they have shown us,” Hutchman said. “They truly believe in our mission to make a difference for the cats in Clark and surrounding counties. These donations have given us a giant leap forward in our goal of building a new medical facility.”
Rocksolid Community Teen Center
Rocksolid Community Teen Center, a Brush Prairie nonprofit that provides after-school programs for fifth- through 12th-grade students, announced Dec. 4 that it received $50,000 from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe through the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation Clark County Fund.
The money will provide funding for a digital outreach manager to help with increasing visibility and expanding capacity to serve more youth, the organization said in a news release.
“The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation is proud to continue support for Rocksolid Community Teen Center’s work in engaging and empowering youth in Brush Prairie,” said Sarah Cooke, Cowlitz Tribal Foundation officer. “We have learned through our nonprofit partnerships throughout the county and state that creating a safe space for youth and teens is vital for their development, self-expression and connection to their peers — especially as they grow into young adulthood.”
Council for the Homeless
Council for the Homeless, a nonprofit whose mission is to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County, announced Dec. 2 that it received $40,000 through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund Award.
“This award will invest $40,000 into our community, helping us provide vital resources and hope to individuals and families in need,” Council for the Homeless said in a statement. “Together, we’re making the world a better place right here at home.”
Humane Society for Southwest Washington
The Humane Society for Southwest Washington raised more than $35,000 through GivingTuesday.
“On GivingTuesday, every donation helps us not just support animals but strengthen our entire community,” said Sam Ellingson, director of communications and marketing for the Vancouver-based shelter. “The generous support of donors throughout the holiday season provides shelter, medical care, and hope for pets and families right here in Southwest Washington.”
Last month, the nonprofit dedicated to animal welfare in Southwest Washington announced that it will open a clinic for low-income pet owners next year.
The Community Veterinary Clinic, 10501 N.E. Highway 99, will offer low-cost, subsidized veterinary care for pets of income-qualifying families in Clark County.
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes set out to raise $30,000 on GivingTuesday to provide nutritious meals for the children, youth and adults in its programs, many of whom come from low-income families.
The organization raised about $18,600 toward its goal.
The Clark County nonprofit is dedicated to supporting individuals who are blind and visually impaired through sports and physical activity.
West Columbia Gorge Humane Society
The West Columbia Gorge Humane Society raised $4,275 on GivingTuesday, which will go to its spay and neuter clinic. The Washougal nonprofit’s programs and services are carried out by a small staff and more than 200 volunteers.
“(West Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s) goal is to keep our spay/neuter clinic running so that we can provide high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter surgery for the pets in our care and for our animal rescue partners who are also in desperate need of this resource,” Development Director Peggy DiPrima said in an email.
Evergreen Habitat for Humanity
Evergreen Habitat for Humanity, a Vancouver nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable housing, said it saw a successful GivingTuesday.
Kelsey Castrey, major gift and procurement manager, said the organization could not share how much it raised but that nonmonetary contributions have been just as valuable.
“We don’t do a lot of advertisements for GivingTuesday, but we see a lot of shopping at our store and volunteering,” Castrey said. “Monetary donations allow us to support more housing in the community, but we rely heavily on volunteers in order for our store to keep up with the amount of donations and the amount of shoppers. Having GivingTuesday as a way to be able to promote more volunteering in our store is really helpful.”
