Four local nonprofits are benefiting this year from the Port of Vancouver’s Community Fund.
The port announced recently the Ke Kukui Foundation, The Historic Trust, the Vancouver Arena Project and the Vancouver Bee Project all received $2,500 grants for upcoming projects, according to a news release.
“Our goal from the beginning was to help partner organizations strengthen Clark County’s economic foundation,” said Ryan Hart, chief external affairs officer for the port.
The port launched the program in 2020 and has distributed $40,000 to organizations across the county.
Hart said the port’s funding has helped do things like teach high school students to build foundations for tiny homes and grow popular events that draw significant tourism for local businesses.
The port received 17 applications from community groups requesting funds this year, a record for the program.
“The number of quality applications makes the job of our selection committee all the more difficult,” Hart said in the news release.
But Hart said that the port landed on some excellent projects.
The Ke Kukui Foundation, which hosts Vancouver’s 4 Days of Aloha festival each summer, plans to use the funding to support cultural workshops with master practitioners from Hawaii who share music and traditional artistic practices, the news release said.
The Historic Trust plans to use the funding for its Providence Academy Small Business Incubator, supporting monthly leases for local small businesses in the historic downtown building.
The Vancouver Arena Project plans to use the award for its third annual Pokemon Go-Fest, which drew 1,500 people in 2023 to Esther Short Park.
Kyle Roslund, board chair at Vancouver Bee Project, said his organization is using the funds to support its second annual pollinator festival this summer, which will feature a slate of educational speakers and different garden tours.
Vancouver Bee Project is also working with the port to create more pollinator habitats on port property, although that’s not part of the grant program.
“The port is an excellent support of things happening in the community,” Roslund said.
Roslund said his small nonprofit relies on support from outside groups, especially for events.
The city of Vancouver and Community Foundation for Southwest Washington offer similar programs.
“It’s great that the port supports the community,” Roslund said.
