Chelan awards $120,000 in community grants

CHELAN — The Chelan City Council approved $120,000 in Community Benefit Grants on March 10, awarding funding to eight nonprofit organizations serving the Lake Chelan Valley.

The grants, funded through the city’s general fund using property tax and sales tax revenues, support local organizations providing services ranging from food assistance and health care to youth programs and community outreach.

After reviewing applications and hearing presentations from nonprofit representatives throughout February, councilmembers reached consensus on most of the awards during a March 3 workshop. The March 10 vote finalized the funding amounts.

During discussion, councilmembers made small adjustments to the proposed allocations, ultimately choosing to fully fund the requests from Thrive Chelan Valley and Chelan Valley Hope.

Councilmember Tim Hollingsworth, who introduced the motion, said Thrive Chelan Valley relies heavily on local funding sources.

“I just felt that I wanted to fully fund the Thrive Chelan Valley request,” Hollingsworth said.

Hollingsworth initially proposed increasing Thrive’s award to $35,000 while reducing the grant to Only 7 Seconds by $2,000.

As discussion continued, Councilmember Brad Chitty suggested applying the same approach to Chelan Valley Hope, noting that Hope also provides direct services to a large number of local residents.

Both councilmembers noted the importance and good work of Only 7 Seconds, a Chelan-based organization dedicated to alleviating loneliness among youth and young adults. They remained one of eight organizations among 13 applicants that got funding from the limited budget the City has for these grants, and their program was still funded at more than 75% of the total amount they requested.

After consulting with City Attorney Quentin Batjer on procedure, councilmembers incorporated Chitty’s suggestion as a friendly amendment to the motion.

The final allocation, as approved by council on March 10, awards:

• Thrive Chelan Valley — $35,000
• Chelan Valley Hope — $35,000
• Lake Chelan Food Bank — $15,000
• Only 7 Seconds — $12,500
• Okanogan County Transportation & Nutrition’s Meals on Wheels program — $9,000
• Chelan Valley Community Nurse — $8,000
• Special Olympics — $5,000
• Chelan Valley Connect — $500

Councilmembers emphasized that all of the applicants provide valuable services to the community and that the adjustments reflected close consideration of the proposals.

“These are all very worthy organizations,” Hollingsworth said during the discussion.

In an email to the Mirror, Chelan Valley HOPE Executive Director Tamra Hively said, “Many in our community are struggling to meet basic needs. This grant will help ensure that our neighbors have access to the support and dignity they deserve. We are truly grateful for the City of Chelan’s partnership and commitment to our community!”

Thrive Chelan Valley also reacted to the news, with Executive Director Stefani Morgan saying, “We are incredibly grateful to the City of Chelan for choosing to fully fund our request this year. Since the very beginning in 1999, the city has shown a deep and consistent commitment to the young people in our valley. We are so thankful to have partners like them walking alongside us in this work.”

The Community Benefit Grant program is intended to support nonprofit organizations whose work directly benefits Chelan residents, with councilmembers reviewing applications and presentations before making final funding decisions.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media