For the 8th time, the Children’s Forum will examine the condition of children, families and our community. The Forum begins at 8:30 AM, April 12 at the William A. Grant Water & Environmental Center at the Community College. Seating is limited. Contact Teri Barila for more information.
In addition to a review of a comprehensive data book on community health indicators, the Forum will discuss community wide initiatives to improve conditions for local children and families.
A fascinating new look at giving has been released by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, called How America Gives. It looks at “exact dollar amounts released by the Internal Revenue Service showing the value of charitable deductions claimed by American taxpayers.” Data comes from 2008 IRS tax information. Here is a look at Washington, and Walla Walla County in particular.
How does Walla Wallla stack up compared to the the state and nation? Amazingly and generously well! The following table compares Walla Walla County to the state and Country:
| United States | Washington | Walla Walla County | |
| Total Contributions | $135.8 B | $3 B | $22.1 M |
| Median Contribution | $2,564 | $2,319 | $3,610 |
| Median Discretionary Income | $54,783 | $56,282 | $45,311 |
| Percent of Income Given | 4.7% | 4.1% | 8.0% |
Walla Walla gives at rates nearly double the state average. Its median contribution exceeds the national median by 40% at the same time discretionary income is 17% less than the national median.
It has been a feeling that the Blue Mountain area is a generous place. Here is the data to back it up.
The map in blue shows total giving by county with the balloon detailing Walla Walla County. The darker the color, the more giving.
The orange map depicts median discretionary income in Washington. Again, the darker the image, the higher the median income. Walla Walla County detail is shown in the balloon. Discretionary income is a bit complicated.
For this study, The Chronicle started with adjusted gross income and subtracted federal income tax (less tax credits), Social Security and Medicare taxes, and state and local taxes. Also removed were median housing costs for homeowners and renters in each ZIP code as well as average living expenses from information collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and available by metropolitan area and region. The Chronicle applied those figures to ZIP codes that fall in the areas designated by the bureau.
The green map shows the median contribution in Washington. Put differently, it shows how much the middle person from the group of tax returns actually gave to charity. The darker the image, the higher the contribution level. Walla Walla County detailed is shown in the balloon.
The final map shows the percentage of income given by households, by county.
All data and maps courtesy of How America Gives from The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Blue Mountain Community Foundation has awarded two additional grants from the First Fruits Fund, a component fund of the Foundation.
Community Council, a citizen led group that brings people together to study regional issues and follow up with actions, was awarded $3,395.00 which helped them meet their $80K fundraising goal for the fiscal year and receive a Sherwood Trust matching grant. Community Council has completed three community studies in the four years since the organization was founded on the following topics:
Links to the study reports can be found here. A new study on Effective Communication between Citizens and Government will begin this fall. Visit Community Council’s website at www.communitycouncil.org to learn more about the work Community Council is doing and the process used to study issues.
Walla Walla Public Schools’ Farm to School Program was awarded $6,200.00 to help establish a program that will bring more local farm fresh produce to school lunches and will expand the school garden programs and curriculum. This effort led by Beth Thiel has already been able to bring local farm fresh asparagus to Sharpstein and Blue Ridge this spring. Click this link to read an article in the Union Bulletin about the program.
The First Fruits Fund was established in 2008 with a generous grant from the Vista Hermosa Foundation. Since that time, the Fund has made 69 grants exceeding $567,000.
The stated goal of the First Fruits Fund is to “encourage collaborative and innovative approaches to building self-sufficiency for the most under-served in our communities, including improved access to such basic needs as housing, food, education and livable wages.” Founders believe that the most impactful way to achieve that goal is to support community-based initiatives that empower people themselves to identify their needs and collectively own the process of change.
The Walla Walla Leaders Network, whose purpose is to identify, engage and prepare emerging leaders for nonprofit board service, is hosting an event. It is a celebration of the network’s start and orientation to its leadership development curriculum.
WHEN: November 8, 2011, 7-9 PM. For those that can’t make and evening event a repeat will occur at the YMCA Board Room on November 15th.
WHERE: Kirkman House Museum, 214 N. Colville St in Walla Walla.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
HOW MUCH: FREE and open to the community. Includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
RSVP at Walla Walla Leaders Network, by e-mail to Amy or on Facebook.
The Blue Mountain Community Foundation is proud to present the Walla Walla Leadership Network. This community capacity building initiative is the offspring of a competitive grant we recently received from one of our professional associations, Philanthropy Northwest.
Now, Walla Walla Leadership Network is hosting its first networking event, August 23 starting at 5:30 PM. Come to Crossroads Steakhouse to meet and hear from a seasoned Walla Walla board member, Judy Mulkerin, and talk about plans for the WW Leaders Network.
We want to know how we can make this network community work for you. We also will be gathering names of people who would like to act as advisers to this project.
Judy Mulkerin, our special guest Board Member, has served on many nonprofit boards including Blue Mountain Community Foundation, the Walla Walla Symphony, YWCA and Friends of Children of Walla Walla, to name a few. An influential leader in our community, Judy can provide great insight and guidance for future leaders. She is excited about seeing emerging leaders flourish!
Important details: Food is available for purchase (appetizers, meals, beverages) at Crossroads Steakhouse.
The goals of the Leadership Network are to identify and establish a community of emerging leaders who share an interest in working with non-profits and/or in the social sector, and to facilitate their continued development with that interest in mind.
Email Project Manager, Amy Erickson, at amy@capacity4good.com with questions.
Know someone who should be involved? Share this post!
The Washington Family Planning Council administers forty-two Community Networks across the state. Ours, in Walla Walla, is led by Teri Barilla. One of WFPC’s goals in using the network structure is the facilitation of collaborative work among social service providers at the local level. Their director recently shared a Stanford University article and a video with us which wonderfully summarize the power of collective effort and our potential for Collective Impact. Our most recent Facebook post highlights an excellent example of collective effort and impact happening right here in Walla Walla. Can you think of other examples? We’d sure like to hear about them!
Blue Mountain Community Foundation, P.O. Box 603, Walla Walla, Washington 99362 509-529-4371 Fax: 509-529-5284
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