Resilience Fund

Geographic Scope: Whatcom County, Washington

Focus Areas: Emergency disaster relief and recovery, community resilience, crisis response

Award Type: Emergency response and recovery grants to nonprofits

Program Description: Community emergency bounce-back fund that puts philanthropic dollars to work providing emergency assistance (financial support, food, childcare) to the community's most vulnerable neighbors as quickly as possible during crises, including pandemics, floods, and other disasters.

Key Features:

• Every dollar raised stays in Whatcom County
• 100% of donations are granted for relief and recovery
• Provides rapid, flexible funding that is faster than government assistance
• Complements (not replaces) long-term government and recovery funding

How Funds Are Used:

• Direct aid (checks and gift cards) for necessities like food, shelter, gas
• Food distribution via food banks
• Storage and cleanup supplies (bins, work gloves, fans)
• Emergency relief materials
• Support for disaster case managers
• Other crisis-related assistance

Grantee Organizations (as of 2021-2022 flood response):

• Sumas Advent Christian Church
• Valley Church (Nooksack)
• Haven Church (Everson)
• First Reformed Church of Lynden
• Ferndale Community Resource Center
• Food banks in affected communities
• Catholic Community Services
• Other local organizations

Background: Established several years before first major activation (COVID-19 relief: $3 million granted; November 2021 flood relief: $2.6 million granted as of October 2022)

Contact:

• Whatcom Community Foundation
• 1500 Cornwall, Suite 202, Bellingham, WA 98225
• Email: wcf@whatcomcf.org
• Phone: 360.671.6463