Grant Writing Services: Accessing Outside Funds

WSVEF retains a professional grant writer who facilitates grant applications from our schools to outside organizations.

This service has secured funding of over $6.4M to our District!

 
 

Grants received through WSVEF Grant Writing Services

Highlights

A-List Adventure After School Program — $3,174,699   

The program is made possible by 21st Century Learning Centers, a federally funded program through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and provides academic intervention, enrichment, hands on learning, health classes, physical activity, art, field trips, financial literacy, and more to at-risk and struggling 1st through 8th graders in the White Salmon Valley School District.

Securing this grant is a huge relief because we will be able to continue to offer an after school program that has benefited so many of our students. The District would have had to downsize what we offer for after-school programming by two-thirds.
— District Superintendent Jerry Lewis

School Based Wellness Clinic & Programs Integration and Support — $175,000

During the 2019/2020 school year, the White Salmon Valley School District and WSVEF partnered with NorthShore Medical Group to launch a program to provide mental health and substance use services directly to students. In 2019, WSVEF received $75,000 to support a district-hired school-based Health and Wellness Center Coordinator to aid the integration of a new school-based Health and Wellness Center. Due to the success of the program, SWACH awarded an additional $100,000 over the next two school years to continue to aid and support the integration and success of the Wellness Center.

SWACH is excited to support the White Salmon Valley Education Foundation’s focus on student health in the White Salmon area. The root causes of health inequities in our region are complex and interconnected, and organizations like WSVEF are essential partners in our work to create lasting changes and a healthier future.
— Barbe West, Executive Director with SWACH.

K-LINK Project: Family Health Advocacy and Community Trainings — $155,000

In the fall of 2019, a group of organizations from the health, social services, educational and law enforcement sectors in western Klickitat County began developing a plan to address the needs of its community's underserved populations. In March of 2020, this group learned that it had been awarded $800,000 in funding from the Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health to launch a multi-agency program targeting children and families. As part of this program, the White Salmon Valley School District received $110,000 in funding to link district families to services such as food, housing and healthcare, and the White Salmon Valley Education Foundation received $20,000 to provide community trainings and support in areas such as health equity and parenting. In 2022, an additional $25,000 was awarded for futher trainings offered in 2023.



College and Career Preparation — $23,200

In 2017 the WSVEF started planning and implementing annual College and Career Days at CHS with offerings from regional and national colleges and community members. The day brings all high school students face to face with local leaders from varied backgrounds who share information about their career. Students are exposed to a wide array of potential colleges and careers for their post-graduation life, as well as local internships and opportunities to plan and prepare for their future. In 2018 & 2019, we expanded our offerings by facilitating field trips for juniors and seniors to attend the regional college fair at the Columbia Gorge Community College in the Dalles. In 2020 we piloted a free SAT course for students in Klickitat County. The 2023 Career Day event surpassed all previous attendance records!

College and Career Days have been made possible by these supporters over the past years: Klickitat County, Career Connect Southwest (ESD 112), First Interstate Bank, NorthShore Medical Group, SDS Lumber Company, Cardinal Glass, Umpqua Bank and US Bank.

I heard feedback from my two children, as well as many of their friends, about the benefits of the event. It generated enthusiasm, engagement and planning in our students. It helped them think about their future, learn about themselves and experience a broad spectrum of opportunities. They were also able to practice speaking to colleges and businesses about themselves which felt scary at first but they became more comfortable and inquisitive as they moved throughout the day. College and Career Day helped get them ready for the next level of engagement as they think about their future!
— High School Parent

Outdoor Education Programs- $23,800: No Child Left Inside, Washington Recreation and Conservation Office

This grant funds outdoor school for two cohorts of 6th graders (spring of 2022 and 2023) and one cohort of 7th graders and one cohort of 8th graders (spring of 2022). (7th and 8th graders who missed outdoor school as 6th graders due to the pandemic). It also funds outdoor summer day camp at the Mt. Adams Institute for two cohorts of A-List Adventures students (summer of 2021 and 2022).


COVID Response & Relief — $29,797

When schools were closed, teachers, schools and community members rallied to find ways to serve and support our students and families. Through generous community donations and grants, the WSVEF helped raise money for families to buy groceries and needed household goods. The Foundation assisted art teachers Patty Carpenter (WPSIS/HMS) and Kelsey Lemon (CHS) as they worked with Janet O'Sullivan of Tokki Art Supply to send art supplies to students to help them stay creative at home. Shortly after, we helped raise money to support book purchases for language Arts teacher Amy Sacquety's book truck which delivered free books to students over the summer.


Media Arts Program, BNSF Railway Foundation — $5,000

After a couple of revisions due to unexpected events, including Covid-19, the scope of this grant changed to meet the emerging needs of the schools. The funds enabled students in the A-List "at risk" after-school program to receive media arts training during summer school. Additionally, a select group of teachers received professional development training in video production through a collaboration with local video production/media education company StoryGorge. The traings and student classes were held via Zoom. All participants learned about the basics of filmmaking and camera use (composition, settings, angles, how to set up a camera for good shots), and story structure (hero’s journey, arc, the flow of the story, and how to engage the viewer). As a result of the training, in addition to knowing how to better teach children how to create their own videos and stories, staff also now have a better idea as to utilize videos in their own teaching and work with students. In the age of Covid-19, with schools in our district completely online for this fall (and for the foreseeable future), the importance of knowing how to create engaging videos has become an unexpected skill that teachers and staff are finding they need. A few examples:
  • An A-List Adventures staff person created videos to help students learn math and English as a second language through distance learning. He is considering creating videos in Spanish for parents as well.
  • The leadership teacher is helping students develop a project on how to create community and unite the school at a distance. He is considering teaching students how to create videos as part of this project.
  • The student support specialist used her new video production skills to create videos of herself that she shared with incoming freshmen, to help them learn more about the drug/alcohol prevention services she can offer, and to help gain trust among students and families. She is considering creating a project whereby students create their own videos to help them navigate the strange times we are living in.


Community Consortium Grant, Washington State Arts Commission — $2,000

For ten years, ArtsWA's Consortium Grant Program has strengthened and expanded our district's arts program by providing artist residencies, mentorships, professional development and curriculum/assessment tools.  Current funding has supported the establishment of a Media Arts Program, in which middle and high school students work with professional filmmakers on all aspects of video production. This year they are working with the US Forest Service to create a series of public service films about the recent Eagle Creek Fire.


Home Arts Grant — $2,000

The Joan Burchell grant from the Gorge Community Foundation funded opportunities for students in 4-12th grade to acquire skills in gardening, sewing, and cooking.  Once part of Home Economics classes, these topics are no longer part of state school curriculum.

Thanks to the grant, we were able to purchase timers and soaker hoses to efficiently and automatically water the school vegetable garden and purchase kitchen equipment essential for preparing fresh produce. Students who claimed they would not eat vegetables fell in love with parsnips, butternut squash, and even beets.
— Caitlyn Cray, Health Teacher

Artists-in Residency Programs— $15,870: Washington State Arts Commission & White Salmon Arts Council

Whitson Elementary School, Columbia High School, and the A-List Adventures After-School Program all received funding for artists-in-residency programs. The District received a $12,870 grant from the Washington State Arts Commission, with a $3,000 matching grant from the White Salmon Arts Council.

Student Mental Health Support —$7,000: Boeing Company and Klickitat County Community- Clinical Linkages Group

A $5,000 grant from the Boeing Company will provide mental health and wellness support for students. In addition, a $2,000 grant from the Klickitat County Community- Clinical Linkages Group via the Cambia Health Foundation will help fund Sources of Strength, a suicide prevention program, at Columbia High School.

School Garden- $3,000: Whole Kids Foundation

A grant from the Whole Kids Foundation (a nonprofit established by Whole Foods), will allow the District’s after- school program, A-List Adventures, to create a hands-on vegetable and native plant garden at the Wallace and Priscilla Stevenson Intermediate School.

Additional Grants Received From Outside Sources

YearGrant TitleSchoolsAmount
2023Catalyzing Career Connected Learning (Career Connect Southwest)Columbia High School$5,500
2023College & Career Support (First Interstate Bank Foundation)Columbia High School$2,500
202221st Century Learning (CLC) - 2022District Wide$493,000
2022SWATCH K-Link: DEI Training, Wellness CenterDistrict Wide$25,000
2022College Spark: AVID funding and Dual Credit ProgramColumbia High School$19,651
2022Windermere Foundation: Wellness Center/Basic Ed AssistanceDistrict Wide$3,000
2022United Way of the Columbia Gorge: Basic Needs/Wellness CenterDistrict Wide$4,070
2022AIE: SEL-based Art installationDistrict Wide$8,250
2022First Interstate Bank: College and Career SupportColumbia High School$2,500
2021Washington Youth Development Fund: A-List Adventure After School ProgramDistrict Wide$33,000
2021WA Recreation & Conservation Office: No Child Left InsideDistrict Wide$23,800
2021WA State Arts Commission & White Salmon Arts Council: Artists-in Residency ProgramsDistrict Wide$15,870
2020SWACH (K-LINK): Family Health AdvocateDistrict Wide$110,000
2020SWACH 2020 - Mental Health & Wellness ProgramDistrict Wide$50,000
2020SWACH (K-LINK): Community TrainingsDistrict Wide$20,000
2020SWACH: Covid-19 ResponseDistrict Wide$5,000
2020United Way of the Columbia Gorge: Covid-19 ResponseDistrict Wide$5,000
2020BNSF 2019/2020District Wide$5,000
2020Gorge Community Fndn/Joan Burchell Fund: Covid-19 ResponseDistrict Wide$1,500
2020Gorge Community Fndn/Salvador Fund of the GorgeDistrict Wide$1,250
201921st Century Learning (CLC) - 2019District Wide$358,208
2019Area of Greatest Need--MCMC 2019District Wide$4,950
2019US Bank Foundation - College & Career Day FundingColumbia High School$1,500
2019SWACH 2019 - Wellness ClinicDistrict Wide$75,000
2019SDS College & Career Days Sponsorship 2018-19Columbia High School$1,000
2019Umpqua Bank SAT Prep CoursesColumbia High School$4,000
2019Boeing/Insitu STEM Grant 2019Whitson Elementary$7,000
2019Umpqua Bank - Career Day 2019Columbia High School$500
201821st Century Learning (CLC) - 2018District Wide$358,821
2018ArtsWA GrantHenkle Middle School, Columbia High School$16,200
201721st Century Learning (CLC) - 2017District Wide$398,740
2017Gorge Community Foundation--Home ArtsDistrict Wide$2,000
2017Umpqua Bank - Career Day Fall 2017Columbia High School, White Salmon Academy$3,700
2017Umpqua Bank - Career Day Spring 2017Columbia High School$2,900
2017WSAC 2017District Wide$15,600
20162016 Autzen - Robotics KitsW&P Stevenson Intermediate, Henkle Middle School$3,040
201621st Century Learning (CLC) - 2016District Wide$317,702
2016BNSF GO LearnDistrict Wide$5,000
2016Boeing STEM Prof Dev 2016/17District Wide$9,000
2016CenturyLink - CHS Mobile Land LabColumbia High School$5,000
2016CenturyLink - HMS Science UnibooksHenkle Middle School$5,000
2016CenturyLink - WPSIS Chromebooks & CartW&P Stevenson Intermediate$5,000
2016Harvest Fdtn - Prof Dev for Integration of TechnologyDistrict Wide$10,000
2016OSPI - Computer Science GrantDistrict Wide$79,000
2016WSAC 2016District Wide$10,650
201521st Century Learning (CLC) - 2015District Wide$329,000
2015Boeing STEM Prof Dev 2015/16Henkle Middle School, Columbia High School$9,000
2015Charlotte Martin - Snowden Wetlands Spring 2016Henkle Middle School$2,000
2015WSAC 2015District Wide$10,850
201421st Century Learning (CLC) - 2014District Wide$327,407
2014Boeing STEM Prof Dev 2014/15Henkle Middle School, Columbia High School$10,000
2014BPA - HydroPower CurriculumHenkle Middle School, Columbia High School$3,300
2014CenturyLink - Whitson iPadsWhitson Elementary$5,000
2014Harvest Fdtn - Prof Dev FundsDistrict Wide$10,000
2014Joan Burchell- Snowden Wetlands Spring 2015Henkle Middle School$1,140
2014Outdoor School 6th Grade Spring 2015W&P Stevenson Intermediate$1,500
2014WSAC 2014District Wide$12,000
201321st Century Learning (CLC) - 2013District Wide$327,453
2013Boeing STEM Prof Dev 2013/14Henkle Middle School, Columbia High School$10,000
2013Digital Imaging UpgradeColumbia High School$11,000
2013Henkle KilnHenkle Middle School$2,500
2013Outdoor School 6th Grade - Spring 2014Henkle Middle School$1,500
2013STEM Google ChromebooksColumbia High School$4,650
2013WSAC 2013District Wide$12,750
201221st Century Learning (CLC) - 2012District Wide$280,202
2012Boeing STEM PD 2012/13Henkle Middle School, Columbia High School$10,000
2012CHS Science UpgradeColumbia High School$8,550
2012Maryhill Art ExplosionHenkle Middle School$500
2012Whitson/Henkle Boeing RoboticsWhitson Elementary, Henkle Middle School$3,900
2012WSAC 2012District Wide$9,500
201121st Century Learning (CLC) - 2011District Wide$67,000
2011Mariachi Band 1Columbia High School$1,600
2011Mariachi Band 2 Columbia High School$1,000
2011Maryhill Art Exploration Henkle Middle School$1,000
2011WSAC 2011District Wide$9,500
201021st Century Learning (CLC) - 2010District Wide$71,616
2010WSAC 2010District Wide$13,915
2009Snowman - Instruments HMSHenkle Middle School$2,500
2009WSAC 2009District Wide$18,000
2008CHS - Music / Maryhill District Wide$4,000
2008WSAC 2008District Wide$18,630
GRAND TOTAL$4,069,064