Charitable Donations

Our Commitment

WECU has a strong commitment to the needs of our community. We strive to support education, health and community concerns.

In addition to financial contributions, WECU^® serves Whatcom County through projects such as the Volunteer Center's Human Race, the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run, and the Opportunity Council's School Supply Drive.

Donation Guidelines

1. All organizations requesting a donation of more than $1000 must complete the Donation Request Form with the following information:
   • Purpose of requested funds
   • Amount requested
   • A total itemized project budget
   • Other funding sources solicited for the project
2. WECU will only consider requests from tax exempt organizations recognized under IRS 501(c)(3) guidelines or by the Secretary of State (WA) as a non-profit organization, and:
   • Local organizations using the funds in Whatcom County
   • Requests that conform to our 2012 mission of addressing health, education, and community concerns
   • Projects that are identified as a strong need in our community
3. WECU will not consider requests for:
   • Sectarian, individual or religious purposes
   • Propagandizing, influencing elections or legislation
   • Capital building for foundations
   • Organizations that have already received funding during the current calendar year
   • Organizations or events which could create controversy or friction among WECU^® members
   • Scholarship funds (other than the Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College and Northwest Indian College scholarships which are currently in place)
   • Pledges to an individual for an event

Please note: Groups are encouraged to request an exact budget amount, or a portion of a larger budget item. WECU^® donations typically do not exceed $2,500 per recipient per year. For large donation requests, the committee may ask a representative of the organization to make a presentation to the committee. Because WECU^® receives so many worthwhile requests, we are typically unable to sponsor golf tournaments, school field trips, school graduation events, or donate more than $75 to school fundraisers.

Recent Donations

Fourth Quarter 2011 : $20,562.99 total

$500.00 - 7th Annual Salute to Veterans

$650.00 - Arthritis Foundation - Jingle Bell Run

$350.00 - Boys & Girls Club - Bellingham

$1,000.00 - Brigid Collins

$1,450.00 - BRUSHFIRE (Sehome Student Learning Center)

$500.00 - Elder Service Providers

$2,000.00 - F.A.C.E.S. Northwest

$250.00 - Feed the Need - Community Food Drive

$1,000.00 - Ferndale Community Resource Center

$1,500.00 - Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County

$1,000.00 - Isom Elementary School

$1,500.00 - Junior Achievement of WA

$250.00 - Kuntz and Company

$500.00 - Opportunity Council - Dorothy Place

$1,000.00 - The Neighborhood Playhouse

$300.00 - Whatcom County Council on Aging - Senior Nutrition

$2,500.00 - Whatcom Literacy Council

$1,000.00 - Whatcom Symphony Orchestra

$1,000.00 - Womencare Shelter

$2,312.99 - Interfaith Community Health Center

Third Quarter 2011 : $17,648.00 total

$500.00 - ALS Association

$500.00 - American Museum of Radio and Electricity

$1,000.00 - ARC of Whatcom County

$1,000.00 - Assistance League of Bellingham

$1,000.00 - Bellingham Central Lions

$1,500.00 - Big Brothers Big Sisters

$750.00 - DVSAS (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services)

$500.00 - Hearing Loss Association of Whatcom County

$1,000.00 - Kulshan Community Land Trust

$980.00 - Love INC

$1,094.00 - Max Higbee Center

$500.00 - NW AEYC (Northwest WA Assoc for the Education of Young Children)

$1,489.00 - Sean Humphrey House

$1,000.00 - The Other Bank

$1,250.00 - Visiting Nurse Home Care - Friendly Visitors

$500.00 - Whatcom County Council on Aging - Bellingham Senior Activity Center

$250.00 - Whatcom Women in Business

$875.00 - WWU

$1,000.00 - WWU Foundation / Woodring College of Ed

$960.00 - WWU Money$ense

Second Quarter 2011 : $19,390.00 total

$1,000.00 - Alzheimer Society of Washington

$190.00 - American Cancer Society

$1,400.00 - Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT)

$1,000.00 - Arthritis Foundation (Jingle Bell Run)

$1,500.00 - Bellingham Technical College

$350.00 - Birchwood Neighborhood Association

$1,000.00 - Blaine Family Service Center (Blaine School District Readiness to Learn)

$500.00 - Blue Skies for Children

$500.00 - Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County -Ferndale

$2,500.00 - Communities in Schools of Whatcom County

$2,000.00 - Ferndale Food Bank

$250.00 - Fostering Together

$1,000.00 - Friends of the Lynden Library

$1,000.00 - Imagine NW!

$200.00 - Middle School Challenge Event

$1,000.00 - Opportunity Council - ELAFS (Early Learning and Family Services)

$2,000.00 - Rebound of Whatcom County

$1,000.00 - Shuksan Middle School

$1,000.00 - Sustainable Connections (Food to Bank On)

First Quarter 2011 : $25,025.00 total

$500.00 - Computers for Kids in Need

$200.00 - Evergreen Supported Living

$500.00 - Ferndale Friendship Community Garden

$1,000.00 - Ferndale School District - Readiness to Learn

$1,000.00 - Friends of the Sudden Valley Library

$1,000.00 - Home Port Learning Center

$1,000.00 - League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County

$900.00 - Lydia Place

$500.00 - Lynden Pioneer Museum

$200.00 - Middle School Challenge Event

$1,250.00 - Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross

$1,250.00 - New Way Ministries

$750.00 - Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA)

$1,000.00 - Opportunity Council

$1,250.00 - Peace Health -St Joseph Medical Center Foundation

$250.00 - RE Sources / The RE Store

$600.00 - South Whatcom Fire Authority

$150.00 - US Border Patrol-Blaine Sector

$300.00 - Whatcom Center for Early Learning

$1,000.00 - Whatcom Community College

$500.00 - Whatcom Humane Society

$800.00 - Whatcom Poetry Series

$500.00 - WWU - Camp Team

$500.00 - WWU - Native American Student Union Pow Wow

$600.00 - WWU - Youth Programs

$500.00 - Alzheimer Society of Washington

$1,000.00 - Bellingham Community Meal Program

$200.00 - Bellingham Figure Skating Club

$250.00 - Bellingham Threshold Choir

$1,000.00 - Brigadoon Youth and Service Dog Programs

$3,325.00 - Adopt-a-Highway

$500.00 - Big Brothers Big Sisters

$250.00 - Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center

$500.00 - Whatcom Volunteer Center